Manston Memories 1916-2006

For ninety years the airfield at Manston has played an important part in the lives not just of those who served there but also of local people. In that time it has witnessed the developments that have led to air travel being taken for granted, as well as the two world wars. During the First World War naval aircraft flew from Manston, while in the Second World War the airfield was a front-line fighter base, seeing its heyday during the Battle of Britain. The USAF took up residence in the 1950s, and a variety of units used Manston and its huge runway, the fourth longest in the UK. F84 Thunderjets and F86 Sabres became familiar sights in the skies over Thanet. Since then the airfield has been home to Silver City Airways as well as the Search and Rescue Flight, Air Experience, Cadet Gliding and training schools. The photographs in this album provide a series of snapshots of life during Manston's first ninety years - from 1916 to date - through its various incarnations as the Admiralty Aerodrome at Manston, RAF Manston, London Manston and today's Kent International Airport. The book even includes record-breaking flights made in the last few years by solar-powered and pedal-powered aircraft. Manston Memories will appeal not only to those who know the airport already but also to aviation enthusiasts everywhere.