Donations are very gratefully received. Not only because they let us know that we enjoy the support and interest of our visitors but also because, like many charities, we can claim Gift Aid support which could add an additional 20% to our donated income. Explore our unique collection of exhibits, headlined by the legendary Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft.
Group visits from local schools or organisations, and coach parties from further afield, are all welcome at the museum. Technical Tit-bits No. 3: Why do the Hurricane & Spitfire Undercarraige mechanisms differ?.
Group visits from local schools or organisations, and coach parties from further afield, are all welcome at the museum. Technical Tit-bits No. 3: Why do the Hurricane & Spitfire Undercarraige mechanisms differ?.
Services
We are located at Manston, Kent's International Airport, on the historic RAF Battle of Britain frontline airfield. Manston is situated on the Isle of Thanet near the seaside towns of Margate and Ramsgate. We are near the Manston Airport site, signposted from the A299 Thanet Way. If travelling from London / Canterbury, follow signs on the A299 to Ramsgate until the Minster Roundabout.
The Merlin Cafe is a popular destination to refuel, serving a range of tasty meals and snacks. While visiting us, take advantage of the adjoining cafe 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.
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.
TB 752 is one of the few surviving Spitfires with a wartime record. Carrying an armament of 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 0.5 machine guns as well as a 500 lb bomb and 2 x 250 lb bombs: she was used initially against road and rail targets in Northern Holland and Germany. Four days later Flying Officer David Leslie destroyed an unidentified German aircraft but believed to be a Fw 189 reconnaissance aircraft.
TB752 completed wartime duty with four kills to her name. Looking at the original combat reports from each pilot gives a picture of how each action came about. I was KAPOK leader on an Armed Recce in PARCHIM area, when returning, I sighted 2 Me.109's apparently attacking ground targets. They were climbing, when we gave chase.
Reviews (15)
Tim Webb
Dec 31, 2021
Report
What an absolute joy this was.
This is a museum that relies completely on donations and people doing their Spitfire simulator experience and so that's exactly what I did. It was fantastic. The staff are all fantastic and the sheer volume of information and history on display are brilliant.
If you want to help keep a slice of history alive and have a jolly good time to boot I highly recommend visiting.
This is a museum that relies completely on donations and people doing their Spitfire simulator experience and so that's exactly what I did. It was fantastic. The staff are all fantastic and the sheer volume of information and history on display are brilliant.
If you want to help keep a slice of history alive and have a jolly good time to boot I highly recommend visiting.
David Maslen
Oct 30, 2021
Report
Christine Bonner
Oct 29, 2021
Report
James Samson
Oct 13, 2021
Report
Debbie Heasman
Oct 02, 2021
Report
Steve Childe
Sep 28, 2021
Report
Gabriela Klazar
Sep 14, 2021
Report
Robert Taylor
Sep 13, 2021
Report
Really enjoyable visit. To be so close to these WWII aitcraft was very thought provoking. I thought I was reasonably knowledgeable but there was loads of information there that I wasn't aware of. No free slots for the simulator but will book early when back in the area. 🙂
Also had a lovely lunch in the cafe. Definitely recommend a visit.
Also had a lovely lunch in the cafe. Definitely recommend a visit.
Sarah Mae
Sep 07, 2021
Report
Lorna Clarricoats
Aug 31, 2021
Report
David Drayton
Aug 23, 2021
Report
Ronnie Pickering
Aug 18, 2021
Report
Life In The United Kingdom Peace & Love
Aug 09, 2021
Report
Katarina Horrigan
Aug 08, 2021
Report
Lorraine Dawson
Jul 22, 2021
Report
An amazing little gem in Kent, located near an old battle of Britain Airfield. Loved every minute of the spitfire simulator, and a special thanks to Dave for talking me through the flight. A very interesting guy that has a few thousand real flying hours and also flew the vulcan bomber. It also has a cafe and a lovely well kept area for the family to have a picnic.
All in all a great way to kill a few hours while remembering THE FEW.
All in all a great way to kill a few hours while remembering THE FEW.
