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Monday 10am - 4pm Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

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Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, Manston, Near Ramsgate in East Kent.
(617)

The Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum is situated on one of the very few surviving airfields which participated in the Battle of Britain. RAF Manston was the closest airfield to the enemy coast and bore the brunt of the early Luftwaffe air attacks in the long hot summer of 1940. Permanently housed at Manston are splendid restored examples of the two principal World War 2 fighter aircraft which

served the Royal Air Force so well in so many areas of conflict both at home and overseas. You can now gain an insight into flying the Spitfire by booking a flight on our Spitfire Simulator! The Museum exists to educate the public about the vital role that these aircraft played during the Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War. The Museum is largely staffed by volunteers and welcomes many visitors each year from all over the world. We provide a focal point for commemorations of and reflections on the sacrifices made during the Second World War. The Museum has been a part of the local community for forty years; providing free public access to this period of our history. We hope to continue to do this and give thanks to all those who support our mission. Full details about the Museum can be found on our website at: www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk

28/05/2026

Among the more interesting visitors to the museum today was this beautiful 1938 Triumph motorcycle combination spotted in our car park. It wouldn't have looked out of place on display in the museum! We love to see vintage cars and bikes and their owners coming to visit.

23/05/2026

We were pleased to be visited yesterday by Neil Morrison who's father Robert 'Mo' Morrison flew TB752 in 1945. Neil had travelled from Ontario to visit his father's former mount!

19/05/2026

The museum recently acquired this lovely 1939 dated 'Brodie' Helmet manufactured by Briggs Motor Bodies of Dagenham. It is an Ambulance service helmet and features a Finchley Borough Crest in addition to the 'A' on the Front and Rear.

Most interestingly the strap and rim of the Helmet is marked with the original owner's name G.E. Clarke.

Initial research suggests that the owner may have been a Librarian, George Ernest Clarke of Oakwood Rd N.W. 11.

12/05/2026

We were pleased to welcome Sue Oldcorn to the museum today along with Andy and Clive from Bexhill RAFA.

Sue had come to donate her late husband Roy's flying logbook and medals to the museum. Roy was a Lancaster Pilot at the end of WW2 and flew on Operations Manna and Exodus with 153 Sqn RAF Bomber Command.

After the war, Roy continued flying and even made a brief stop at Manston on September 14, 1945 in a Lancaster during a flight from RAF Scampton to Marseilles.

He became the personal pilot of Air Vice Mashal Darvall in Austria prior to demob in 1946.

We flew Roy on The Manston Lancaster Experience shortly after he celebrated his 100th Birthday!

It is an honour and a privilege to become custodians of these artefacts and to help keep Roy's memory alive for future generations.

11/05/2026

Talk reminder: The Dambusters at RAF Manston. Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 2PM.

Join museum volunteer and Author Peter Neale as he relates the story of the training and build- up to Operation Chastise at RAF Manston and nearby Reculver.

08/05/2026

We held a service to commemorate VE Day today in our Memorial Garden, led by Museum Chaplain Revd Brian Griffiths. The weather was lovely.

05/05/2026

Talk postponed: The Battles of Imphal & Kohima, India 1944.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this talk, scheduled for tomorrow on 6th May has been postponed until the 3rd June 2026.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but hope you will be able to join us on the 3rd June.

01/05/2026

We were visited by Nick Taylor of Swindon Supermarine FC who kindly presented us with a team shirt and recent match programme.

Nick explained that his club can trace their roots back to the sports club of the Spitfire factory at South Marston and are believed to be one of only two teams to feature a Spitfire on their logo.

We will have the shirt and programme framed and display them in our crew room. We would like to thank Nick and all at Swindon Supermarine FC for this kind donation.

The club are on the lookout for a replica or large model Spitfire suitable for display outside their ground which is adjacent to the site of the old factory. If any of our followers could help please let us know in the comments.

30/04/2026

We would like to thank the team at Hoyle and Hughes Ltd for undertaking remedial works to close off the redundant coach drop off/pedestrian entrance at the front of the museum behind our Pilot Statue.

This is a major improvement for pedestrian safety, site security and highlighting the Statue which can now be admired safely.

29/04/2026

Talk reminder: Wednesday the 6th May at 2PM.

A reminder that we are looking forward to hosting Sylvia May, the Chief Executive of The Kohima Educational Trust.

Sylvia will be giving an insight into the history of the Battles of Imphal & Kohima and also the work of the Kohima Educational Trust.

Head over to: www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk/booking/events to book your place.

Address

Manston Road
Margate
CT125DF

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441843821940

Website

http://www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk/

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