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RAF Manby
Airfield Code: ? Google Earth Co-ordinates: 53° 21'31.5"N 0°04'58.5"E Wartime Runways: 04/22 = 3750ft x 150ft 11/29 = 4200ft x 150ft Current Runways: 08/26 = 500m x 20m (grass) RAF Manby opened in 1938, home to The Empire Air Armament School. Many bomb disposal techniques were invented at Manby, a hazardous operation. By June 1940, 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. Manby later became the home of the College of Air Warfare. In October 1954, a little known piece of history took place. That month a Canberra bomber belonging to the RAF Flying College, made the first ever jet flight over the North Pole. Formed in July 1962 from the remnants of the Royal Air Force Flying College, the CAW eventually had a mixed fleet of Jet Provost T.3s and T.4s at Manby until it disbanded on 1st April 1974. The College of Air Warfare, formed a Jet Provost team in 1965, called "The Magistrates" with the name originated from the initials "JP". The team flew at displays for three seasons until it was renamed "Macaws" following the end of the 1967 season. This name was constructed from the first letters of the Unit, MAnby College of Air Warfare. The team wore a standard silver and day glow training colour's for their first season, but for their debut season, in 1968, the display aircraft were re-sprayed into a unique colour scheme of light grey and red. They flew six basic formations, their display culminating in a "Petal Break", or flat bomb-burst towards the crowd. The team's final season occurred in 1973, under the leadership of Flt Lt Peter Diggance. RAF Strubby came under 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 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. 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. Since the closure of the base, the houses have been sold to the general public and airbase has been sold for commercial use. The headquarters of East Lindsey District Council are in one of the buildings on the base, the disused airfield has been used as a showground and is now an off-road driving centre and one of the hangars is used as a grain store as part of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy. It also has a Chieftain Tank sat in the entrance to the airfield. In 2008 the RAF site was proposed by East Lindsey district council as a possible location for an eco-town of 5000 homes. It appeared on a government shortlist of ten sites, however after protests from residents the council voted to withdraw the plan. Aircraft & Squadrons
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