History of Manston Airfield 100 years of flight

Because of some of the detail for the daily posts, you can see today’s events on our timeline page

#OnThisDay1939

No.79 Sqn Hurricanes provide top cover over a Royal Navy destroyer conveying the King back from France after meeting British Troops.

#OnThisDay1942

Four No.137 Sqn Whirlwinds take off at 1100 hrs to attack a petrol train arriving at Doullens. Low cloud forced them to abandon and seek alternative targets of airfields, flak posts and barges.

#OnThisDay1944

No.582 Sqn Lancaster III ND880 6O-A crewed by F/O J.E. Brown, Sgt. F. Docker, F/S A.P. Gostling, Sgt. E.R. James, Sgt. P. Rayner, Sgt. D.M. Reid and Sgt. J.T. Smith. crash lands at Manston after taking off from Little Staughton at 0829hrs for operations over Wanne-Eickel.

#OnThisDay1950

USAF 20th Fighter Bomber Wing equipped with F84E 'Thunderstreak' return to Shaw Field, South Carolina.

The History of Manston Airfield site is dedicated to the history of Manston Airfield, in Kent from its first official usage back in 1916.

It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site.

The site and social media pages are currently all non-profit making. Obviously we do incur costs so any contributions via donations or online sales are appreciated to ensure this project continues.

We are not directly connected with either of the two museums currently at Manston, but may work alongside them.

Due to the amount of history, it is likely that this site will be continually updated and extended and is not intended to be a complete historical record for some time to come.