History of the Airfield
RAF Manby opened in 1938, home to The Empire Air Armament School. Many bomb discposal techniques were invented at Manby, a hazardous operation.
By June 1940, RAF 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, part of which was the School of Resfresher Flying.
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.