The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

The Memorial Museum is situated on one of the very few surviving airfields which participated in the Battle of Britain.During the Second world war RAF Manston was only 10 minutes flying time from what was then Occupied France, and bore the brunt of the early Luftwaffe attacks in the long, hot summer of 1940.

It was also regarded as a useful “dropping off” (releasing any unused bombs) point for German aircraft returning to their bases in northern France. Indeed, RAF Manston was at the forefront of many major aerial campaigns during the War, seeing service as a recovery airfield for stricken RAF and USAAF bombers retuning from action Germany as well as a base for fighters involved in Operation Crossbow (the defence against V weapons) in 1944-45.In addition to it’s wartime service RAF Manston has also been at the forefront of development as it was used by bombers to trial to bouncing bomb project as well as hosting the first ever jet squadron of the RAF (616).Today the Museum continues to commemorate the brave men and women who served in defense of our country through displaying the aircraft and objects they used as well as telling their stories. Central to the display are the iconic Spitfire Mk XVI and Hurricane Mk IIc which can be visited for free by the public. Indeed, since the arrival of the Spitfire Simulator, visitors can even experience what it is like to fly high powered WWII fighters from the safety of the ground.

Finally, and most importantly, the Museum also hosts the Allied Aircrew Memorial garden which has regular services and commemorates those brave warriors that fell in defense of their countries.

RAF MANSTON
Our location, so close to the continental coast, has seen Manston integral to the defence of the country over the past century.Manston’s air history dates back to the First World War. At the outset of the war, nearby St Mildred’s Bay in Westgate-on-Sea was used as a landing strip for aircraft. In the winter of 1915-16, aircraft started to use the open farmland of Manston as a site for emergency landings. Soon the Admiralty established an aerodrome at the site.As well as operational flights, the Handley Page bomber training school was established at the aerodrome.

With its geographical advantage being near the English Channel, Manston was integral in providing air defence, continuing with the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in 1917.From September 1939 and the outbreak of the Second World War, Manston was firmly on the front line. In that month No. 3 Squadron, under the command of No. 11 Group Fighter Command, flew Hawker Hurricanes from the airfield. In 1940 during the Battle of Britain, Manston was heavily bombed, requiring the dispersal of personnel and resources to nearby safer locations.

Hawker Typhoon attack aircraft were based at Manston later in the war, and also the first Meteor jet squadron of the RAF.As well as the Battle of Britain, Manston is part of Second World War history, being the airfield in 1942 where six Fairey Swordfish departed on a suicidal attack against the German battle cruiser Prinz Eugen and battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau; an operation known as The Channel Dash. Two years later, Manston was one of the departure points for the unsuccessful Operation Market Garden.Being so close to the Channel, Manston was useds as an emergency landing field for returning bombers suffering from low fuel or problems to their hydraulic systems. The airfield became something of a “graveyard” for heavy bombers.During the Cold War of the 1950’s the US Airforce used Manston as a Strategic Air Command base for its fighter and fighter-bomber units. From 1960, it was back under RAF control. Thanks to the long runway built during the Second World War, it was designated one of the country’s MEDAs (Master Emergency Diversion Airfield) for both military and civilian flights.The RAF ended their flying operations in 1999, turning it over to exclusively civilian air traffic. As Kent International Airport, Manston still sees regular cargo and passenger flights, as well as regular small aircraft traffic.In 2013 an airshow returned to Manston for the first time in over twenty years.

Throughout the summer season the Red Arrows RAF Display Team are frequent visitors to Manston, staging between displays.

Services

VISITING US
We are situated on the historic RAF airfield at Manston in east Kent.

THE COLLECTION
Explore our unique collection of exhibits, headlined by the legendary Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft.

FLY OUR SIMULATOR
The closest thing to flying in a real Spitfire. Our simulator gives you the opportunity to fly using genuine Spitfire controls.

Experience what it was like to fly a Spitfire with our amazing simulator, equipped with authentic Spitfire controls. Sitting alongside our genuine Second World War Spitfire MkXVI, the simulator will help to answer in part, the age old question of “what is was like to fly a Spitfire?”.Our simulator, with a life-size cockpit setup, is the closest you will ever come to flying this legendary aircraft without stepping inside the real thing.Using authentic WWII controls, visitors will be able to take off, fly and land a Mk XVI Spitfire whilst sitting in a realistic cockpit!Set up in the Spitfire hall, you even have the real Spitfire as a backdrop as you fly.Full instruction is given, from one of our qualified instructors, who will be on hand throughout your flight to help and support you.

EDUCATION & GROUPS
Group visits from local schools or organisations, and coach parties from further afield, are all welcome at the museum.

We welcome group visits, whether from local schools or organisations, and coach parties on a tour of this part of Kent.
School Parties
School parties are welcome at the Museum. World War II is currently part of Key Stage Two History for children attending primary school and Key Stage Four for secondary school pupils. Work sheets are available on request in advance of any visit.

VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers are the absolute backbone of the Museum. Simply without them, we could not function.Volunteers account for over 90% of the work force at the Museum and without them, it would be impossible for the Spitfire Museum to remain open to the public on a daily basis, whilst remaining free of charge for our visitors.Volunteering with the Spitfire Museum can be a rewarding and fun experience for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re volunteering to pass the time or are looking to build up your CV with key transferable skills, the Museum is the place to be.Prospective volunteers often ask what volunteering entails. In fairness it can be as versatile as the volunteer in question. However, in order to provide some structure, we thought it would be useful to outline the key areas of volunteering at the Museum and what they entail.

SUPPORT US
The Spitfire & Hurricane Museum was founded in 1981 and the first hall (the Spitfire Hall), costing £35,000 was built with money raised from the local population. The Hurricane Hall, built in 1989 also owes its existence to support from the local population. Since 1989, the museum has remained a free attraction solely due to public support as the museum is entirely self-funding and does not enjoy public (i.e.: National or Local Government) support.

EATING AND DRINKING
The Merlin Café is a popular destination to refuel, serving a range of tasty meals and snacks.While visiting us, take advantage of the adjoining café which is open all year round, seven days a week. We are located at the back of the Museum building which is open 7 days a week all year round with free entry.All food freshly prepared to order and is served from 10am – 3pm 7 days a week in the winter time 10am – 4pm in summer time.Breakfast is served all day 10am – 3pmSandwiches and rolls are all made fresh to order and we also sell a large selection of cakes, biscuits & scones. Teas, fresh ground coffee and a wide arrange of cold drinks are available.A children’s menu is available and there is plenty of space for them to run around outside.Coach parties, car clubs and biker groups are all frequent visitors to the café and museum and are always welcome any day of the year. We have a large car park and separate coach park.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
From beaches to museums to shopping, there’s plenty to see and do during your time in east Kent.

RAF Manston History Museum
While visiting us, take time to visit our neighbours at the RAF Manston History Museum, located just across the car park. Normally open daily March – October and weekends during the winter, the museum holds a wide range of fascinating exhibits, detailing the RAF airfield’s history from 1916, through the Second World War, the Cold War and its reincarnation as a civil airport.

Gallery