The RAF Manston History Museum is a charity opened in 1986, run soley by volunteers. The museum prides itself on having a collection of planes and exhibits that reflects and educates on the history of Manston and its airfield. The Museum is funded by its own income from admission fees and donations. Last year it became clear that the much loved museum needed some refurbishment, the roof was leaking, the electrics needed modernising, the exhibits and building feeling tired and outdated. Understandable as some parts of the museum were built in 1917 during the First World War.

Renovation and COVID compliance costs have exceded the origanal budget and we have been closed since last March so had very little income. We are hoping for support from the local community to help fund finishing this work and allow the museum to re-open when safe to do so.

We were also lucky to aquire and save the heritage of the Nimrod XV229 that was used for smoke evacuation training at RAF Manston Defence Fire Training & Development Centre. If we hadn’t of saved the front 37 feet it would have been another rare plane lost to the scrap yard. We are looking to restore it to its former glory, so visitors can appreciate both inside and outside of this magnificant plane. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. Thank you.