The base for Peter's photo expedition was, of
course, Manston airport on the Isle of Thanet and the photo above
shows the conclusion of the trip with a landing from the eastern
approach.
Manston came to real prominence during the Battle
of Britain when it served as an advanced base for allied military
aircraft. It was also used during the development of Barnes Wallis'
"bouncing bomb" with the devices being tested off the coast of nearby
Reculver.
The aerodrome continued to be used by the US Air
Force throughout the 1950s and it led to US uniforms becoming a
familiar sight around Whitstable. It also had some longer term
impacts on our community.... with a number of local lasses
marrying US airmen and finding a new home in The States!
The landing strip remains one of the longest and
widest in the country. This generated rumours that it had been
designated as an emergency landing site for the US Space Shuttle.
True? Dunno!
Finally, we can take a quick look at the machinery
that made Peter's aerial photos possible....
All Photos Copyright of Peter
Dalrymple
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