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#RAFLincolnshire
> RAF Bases
Interactive map
Full list of locations
Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston
Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
Ingoldmels
Kelstern
Killingholme
Kirmington
Kirton in Lindsey
Langtoft
Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
Market Stainton
Mere
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
Normanby
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Skegness
Skellingthorpe
Skendleby
South Carlton
South Elkington
South Witham
Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
Sturgate
Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa
Updated: 1 Oct 13
Opened: 1938
Closed: 1974
Airfield code :: MY
ICAO Code :: MWXA
Squadrons based here:
No 1 Air Armament School :: 1938 -
No 2 Air Armament School :: ??
Empire Central Armament School :: Spring 1943
2782 Defence Sqn :: 1941 -
RAF Manby was opened in 1938 as home to the Empire Air Armament School. Many bomb disposal techniques were invented at Manby, often a trial by fire.
By June 1940, RAF Manby housed the Joint Services Bomb Disposal School. Royal Engineers and Royal Navy demolition parties being trained alongside their RAF counterparts. In August 1940, the bomb disposal workload, generated by ever-increasing enemy activity, led to the establishment of 25 mobile BD squads, increased in manpower strength from three to 25 personnel each.
Iris Burgess was a WAAF stationed at Manby during World War II and has written at length about life on the camp during her service including daily activity supporting 1 Air Armament School.
RAF Strubby came under RAF Manby RAF Flying College from VJ Day until closure in 1972. The nucleus of the staff of the Empire Central Flying School was transferred to RAF Manby to open the Flying College in 1946. Manby later became the home of the College of Air Warfare, part of which was the School of Refresher Flying.
A metal screen 800yds long by 50ft high was erected at RAF Manby to test landings in cross-winds.
As a member of the crash crew in 1951/52 at RAF Strubby, Les Featherstone attended a Vampire crash into a farm yard. The pilot was Wing Commander Steventon. He bailed out, but his parachute did not open, and he crashed through the farmhouse roof. The farm was local between Strubby and Mablethorpe.
In Oct 1954 a Canberra bomber belonging to the RAF Flying College, Manby, makes the first jet flight over the North Pole.
Steve Ripley grew up at Manby where his father was the Met Officer from before 1951 until at least 1974. He has kindly written some recollections for the site.
In 1963 the Navigation Wing of the Central Navigation and Control School moved to RAF Manby from RAF Shawbury, leaving Shawbury the task of all aspects of ATC training as the Central Air Traffic Control School.
The base closed in 1974. Today the site is used for Agriculture, the hangers are used as a grain store, with other buildings being used for industry. It is also home to Manby and District Model Aero Club.
Chris Benyon wrote to the site to enquire about some Luftwaffe aircraft he recalls seeing there after the war:
Has anyone any Information on three German Aircraft that were in storage at RAF Manby 1947-1951? I was a small boy, my Dad was the Catering Officer and I and Mum were quartered on top of the Officers Mess. One day I found a door open, went in and found an Me262, with a Me163, and another Single engine jet, I think it was tailwheel, in which case it could have been a Heinkle. A nice SAC let me sit in the Me262 and 163. I never gained access to that building again.
This does sound very similar to the RAFWaffe (1426 EAC Flt) that toured RAF stations for three years during the war - can anyone provide any information to link them?
RAF Manby on ControlTowers.co.uk
Buy an aerial photo of RAF Manby on GetMapping.com
RAF Manby memories on the Wartime Memories Project
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