Located in Kent, the RAF Manston History Museum is one of the many aviation museums in the UK. This museum showcases the rich history of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Manston, which played an essential role in defending the United Kingdom during World War II and the Cold War. With its aircraft, aviation-related exhibits, and memorabilia collection, the museum provides a unique insight into the history of military aviation and the RAF Manston.
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The History of RAF Manston
RAF Manston has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s. Originally it was a civilian airfield. Later, in 1916, the RAF took over, with two distinct units stationed there: the Handley Page Training School and the Operational War Flight Command.
Its strategic location near the Kent coast gave Manston an edge over other established aerodromes. During the First World War, it played a significant role in several dramatic battles, with planes from RAF Manston contributing to stopping many German bombers and preventing the remaining ones from flying west.
In the Second World War, it served as a fighter base and was home to famous fighter pilots like Douglas Bader and Johnnie Johnson. Unfortunately, during the Battle of Britain, German aircraft heavily bombed the Manston airport, destroying the airfield buildings. This led to the dispersal of many of the staff to surrounding housing.
After the war, RAF Manston remained a crucial part of British defence, serving as a base for various aircraft, including the famous Vulcan bomber we saw at the Newark Air Museum in Nottinghamshire. In 1950, the United States Air Force took over the ex-RAF station at Manston as a direct result of the developing chill of the Cold War. It became then an air base to deploy American aircraft in case of incoming Soviet bombers, with an intercept area far from the UK mainland.
Manston also hosted some of the earliest dedicated SAR squadrons equipped with helicopters around the British coast. When the RAF Manston closed in 1999, the commercial operator of Kent International Airport start managing the airside portion of the base.
What’s On at the RAF Manston History Museum
With its remarkable history, RAF Manston played a significant role in defending the United Kingdom during some of the most critical periods of the 20th century. Its strategic location on the coast of Kent made it an ideal base for fighter aircraft, and its pilots played a crucial role in defending the country against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.
The RAF Manston History Museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of this vital airbase. The museum’s exhibits include many aircraft, from early biplane replicas to modern jets used in the wars, as well as a variety of models and memorabilia and an interactive area to experience the Battle of Britain.
1940s Experience
The 1940s Experience is a remarkable recreation of a wartime environment, complete with houses, courtyards, and realistic sound and lighting effects that simulate German bombing raids. While the experience is immersive and informative, it may be too intense for young children, so it’s better to keep them close to you. Additionally, informative captions and displays provide insight into England’s daily life during the war.
Models and model railway
As you enter the museum, you can see many models on display, featuring aircraft that have flown in the airfield and depicting RAF Manston’s rich history.
In addition, you can see a meticulously crafted scale model railway created from original blueprints that offers a glimpse into how the base would have appeared in the 1930s. It is fully operational, allowing visitors to operate it via a coin slot. The attention to detail is outstanding, making it one of the most exciting attractions in the museum, especially for children. The RAF Manston History Museum also hosts some scale aircraft models made of LEGO.
Aircraft
The RAF Manston History Museum exhibits many different kinds of notable aircraft and cockpits. You can see a De Havilland Chipmunk T.10 used to train Army pilots. Its last flight was in 1990 and now is painted to resemble the No.1 Air Experience Flight, used at Manston to provide many Air Cadets with their first flying experience.
About aircraft replicas, one you can see at the RAF Manston History Museum is a Nieuport 17 biplane, built by a set designer for the movie ‘Flyboys’. It is a full-size replica, painted to look like the aircraft flown by Captain Albert Ball VC.
You can also take a look at the Slingsby T.31B Cadet TX.3 glider on display at the museum. Gliders are fixed-wing aircraft that do not require engines to fly. The model, built in 1953, was primarily used for training Air Cadets. This particular glider went through numerous gliding schools before it was involved in a non-fatal accident in 1968. Later restored as an exhibition airframe, it became a travelling exhibit until the museum acquired it in 1999.
Another interesting things on display is the Huntair Pathfinder 2 Microlight. It is a very small, lightweight aircraft that can accommodate one or two people. It was manufactured in Brighton in 1982 and exported to Indonesia. However, it was never assembled and was instead shipped back to the UK. It remained unassembled in the owner’s loft for twelve years before being gifted to the museum in 2003. Finally, it was put together and is now on display at the museum. There are many more aircraft in the museum, and these are just a few models you can see.
Other Exhibits
In addition to models and aircraft, the RAF Manston History Museum boasts exhibits such as ejection seats from RAF aircraft and some military vehicles, such as replica World War I lorries and light tanks.
Moreover, the museum features an extensive exhibition room with display cabinets showcasing guns and ammunition. Additionally, you can see the guns carried by aircraft that operated out of Manston during World War II and a collection of air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles.
Useful information to visit the RAF Manston History Museum
We went to the RAF Manston History Museum because my son and I are both passionate about aviation. We were just half an hour from Dover, where we visited Dover Castle.
The RAF Manston History Museum is located opposite the Spitfire & Hurrican Memorial Museum, which is free of charge. I think they are in a kind of competition, as there was quite a passive-aggressive sign about parking in the right spot for the right museum, as you could park in the ‘wrong’ parking lot and visit both museums.
When I visited the RAF Manston History Museum, I initially believed that it was an official museum about the Royal Air Force, but that turned out not to be the case. Although the exhibitions were not as impressive as those at the RAF Museum Midlands, I still recommend the museum for aviation history enthusiasts. If you want to have breakfast or lunch at the museum, there is a café available called NAAFI Café, although we have not tried it.
Tickets and opening time
The RAF Manston History Museum tickets cost £6 per adult, while children can enter for £3. Children under five years old can enter for free.
However, events, workshops, and special fundraising events can have an additional charge. If you live nearby and visit the museum frequently, you can subscribe to an Annual Pass that grants free access to the museum and all its associated events.
The museum is open from 10 am to 3 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
How to get to the RAF Manston History Museum
The RAF Manston History Museum is near the Manston Airport, and the most convenient way to get there is by car. If you’re coming from Dover, it’s only a half-hour drive via the A256. On the other hand, if you’re travelling from London or Canterbury, it’s best to follow the A299 to Ramsgate. I recommend entering the postcode CT12 5DF on Google Maps or your Sat Nav to find the shortest route. The museum has a large car park, so parking shouldn’t be an issue.
Getting to the museum by public transport can take a lot of time and effort. A local bus service run by Stagecoach South East stops near the museum. However, I won’t suggest moving by bus if you’re not already in the area. For instance, if you’re coming from Dover, it could take 2-3 hours during weekdays, with many changes. It can even take longer on weekends, instead of half hour by car.
RAF Manston History Museum
821 Manston Rd
Ramsgate CT12 5DF
The RAF Manston History Museum is a must-see destination in Kent for anyone interested in the history of military aviation in Britain. Its exhibits and displays provide a unique insight into the history of RAF Manston and its vital role in the defense of the United Kingdom. Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for an interesting day out, feel free to leave a comment about the RAF Manston History Museum.