Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Building

The Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Building at Manston Airfield in Kent is one of Britain's most significant memorials to the Battle of Britain and the pilots, aircrew and ground crew who fought it. Situated on the historic RAF Manston aerodrome — one of the most important Battle of Britain airfields — the museum houses two of the most revered aircraft in British aviation history: a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane, preserved in immaculate condition in a purpose-built hangar.

RAF Manston played a critical role in the Battle of Britain. Its position in the far east of Kent, jutting into the Channel towards occupied Europe, made it both a vital forward base for Fighter Command and a prime target for the Luftwaffe. The airfield was repeatedly bombed in the summer of 1940, and the courage shown by the ground crews who kept aircraft serviceable under fire, and by the pilots who scrambled from this exposed position to engage incoming German formations, is central to the museum's story.

The resident Spitfire — MK IX aircraft ML427 — and the Hurricane — LF363 — are real aircraft that actually flew during the war, giving them a historical authenticity that replicas cannot match. Visitors can examine these iconic aircraft at very close quarters, studying the construction, the markings and the details that distinguish these planes from their German counterparts and from later aircraft developments. The contrast between the elegant curved lines of the Spitfire and the more purposeful, sturdy Hurricane illustrates beautifully why both aircraft were necessary and complementary weapons during the Battle of Britain.

The memorial building houses extensive displays on the Battle of Britain, focusing particularly on Manston's role and on the personnel who served at the station. Photographs, documents, personal testimony and artefacts bring to life both the exhilarating and the terrifying aspects of aerial combat in the summer and autumn of 1940. The displays honour not only the famous 'Few' pilots but also the WAAF members, ground crew, radar operators and controllers whose invisible work was equally essential to victory.

The museum is operated by the RAF Manston History Museum and the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Trust, and benefits from the strong local aviation heritage community in east Kent.