Spitfire and Hurricane to return to Kent Airport
22.10.05
Sixty-five years after the Battle of Britain, in which RAF Manston (now Kent International Airport) played such a crucial role, the airfield once again resounded to the throaty roar of legendary Hurricane and Spitfire engines this week.
Kent airport based TG Aviation was delighted to accept a weather diversion from a Hurricane and a Spitfire, part of the Historic Aircraft Collection. TG's Sue Girdler said: 'The aircraft were on their way initially to Jersey and then on to Malta when they encountered bad weather across the Channel. Knowing that Manston was now open under the new management at Infratil they diverted into the airfield where TG Aviation was able to accommodate them while they waited for the weather to improve.'
'The pilots must have felt some of the relief that the pilots so many years ago felt as the White Cliffs of Dover came into sight, knowing that Manston was just a few minutes away along the coast. Both aircraft saw service during the war and you can but wonder what stories they might tell if they were able.'
Kent International Airport General Manager Phil Vann said: 'These aircraft are synonymous with Manston in its days as a Battle of Britain airfield. There is a plaque at the airport commemorating its role in the Second World War and we were proud and delighted to welcome these two wonderful aircraft here. Their arrival underlines the fact that we are operational once again and open for business.'
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