History of Manston Airfield

12th February 2026 marked the 84th anniversary of the Channel Dash in 1942.

F/Lt Baron Jean de Selys Longchamps DFC and dog (sometimes referred to as “Bullsh*t”, sometimes “Spit”) – Biggin Hill, October 1941.

No.198 Sqn Typhoon JR523 piloted by F/O Henry “Harry” Hector MacKenzie (RCAF) took off from Manston at 1143hrs as “Blue 3” in a formation of four Typhoons with F/Lt R.O.

Handley Page O/100 1463 that left Manston for France but was captured by the Germans, piloted by Flt Lt Henry Connell Vereker on 1st January 1917.

By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK (Messerschmitt Bf109E-4/B ‘4101 / Black 12’ (DG200)) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Messerschmitt Bf109E ‘4101 / Black 12’ of 21 year old Leutnant Wolfgang Teumer from 2/JG51 based at Wissant near

At low tide a U.S.

On 7th November 1945, Group Captain Hugh Joseph Wilson, CBE, AFC, Royal Air Force, Commandant of the Empire Test Pilots’ School, Cranfield, set the first world speed record with a jet-propelled airplane, and the first speed record by an aircraft in excess…

Handley Page O/100 aircraft 1459 “Le Tigre” of No. 3 Wing, R.N.A.S., March 1917, Ochey, France.

Troops preparing to board British Horsa type gliders at Manston Air Base, England.

Pilots of No. 601 (County of London) Squadron run to their waiting Hurricane aircraft at RAF Northolt, 9 January 1941.