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Report - - RAF Manby Officer's Mess, Lincolnshire, May 2018 | Military Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - RAF Manby Officer's Mess, Lincolnshire, May 2018

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HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
1. The History
RAF Manby opened in 1938 and became the first Lincolnshire airfield with paved runways. During World War II it played host to a variety of squadrons, disciplined in both ground and air operations. Manby's first fully-fledged defensive squadron, No.2782 Defence Squadron, manned a variety of defences including machine guns, 20mm cannon and BOFOR guns. Manby was home to No.1 Air Armaments Training School, who remained at Manby for the duration of the war, utilising a huge variation of aircraft. In July 1944, the school was upgraded to 'Empire' status and with the increased workload that bought, Manby was subject to a major expansion.

After the war Manby become home to the RAF Flying College which, like the No.1 AAS that preceded it, operated a variation of aircraft. In 1954 a Manby-based English Electric Canberra (WH699) become the first aircraft to fly over the North Pole. After being renamed the RAF College of Air Warfare, Manby received a contingent of new Jet Provosts, replacing the propeller driven Percival Provosts. Around this time, Manby was also home the 'Macaws' display team who operated the schools Jet Provost aircraft. In 1972, with the closure of RAF Strubby down the road, Manby received the Hawker Siddeley Dominies that had been flying from there but despite this, rumours that Manby was next to be closed started to circulate.

Two years later Manby was indeed closed, at the end of March 1974. Many of the housing sections of the base came under control of RAF Binbrook while the main bulk of the technical site was sold to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) who still own premises today. Today the majority of buildings form part of the Manby Business Park and the hangers are in use for storage, however the former Officers Mess sits abandoned and forlorn.

2. The Explore
As soon as I saw the main building’s façade, knew I wanted to come and see this place. Relatively easy access and a relaxed mooch. It’s pretty trashed inside and the local yobs have done their thing but the frontage is alone justification for a visit. The roof is still in relatively good nick. The place is saveable if someone with a bit of money to put into the place could be found. Sadly this seems really unlikely and the place looks set to continue in the long decline its been suffering.

3. The Pictures

Down the road we go:

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img7736 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And here it is!

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img7737 by HughieDW, on Flickr

What a façade:

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img7684 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7682 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7685 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Love the stone-balladed balconies:

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img7686 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7687 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7689 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7693 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7694 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Time to pop inside. The wood panelled entrance hall:

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img7715 by HughieDW, on Flickr
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img7716 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And on to the main hall:

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img7696 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7713 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The kitchen area:

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img7695 by HughieDW, on Flickr
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img7697 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The former bar:

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img7711 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The stage:

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img7710 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Not sure the pool table should be this way up:

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img7712 by HughieDW, on Flickr

That wall-paper:

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img7701 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This room’s seen better days:

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img7706 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Up-the-stairs Mr:

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img7726 by HughieDW, on Flickr
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img7717 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7727 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7720 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7721 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7722 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And on to the side buildings briefly:

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img7734 by HughieDW, on Flickr

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img7735 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 

Giymo85

Amateur and proud
28DL Full Member
Great place this and you've covered it really well! I went earlier in the year and the feeling isn't quite like anywhere else I have been. I there still a tent in the main entrance hall?
 

adventure4000

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Went here the other day is a massive place to explore. And is a strange one I found. The building has been used for many things in the past as from the documentation on the floor and in the rooms. Good pics though. Shame my camera had gone and died on me when I got there. Did you find the girls stuff in one off the bars, when I went found knickers and clothing and homework all over the floor. And found a girls rucksack. Just found this place strange and concerning. But is a great explore.
 

Darentoot

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Hi , I'm due to visit here in the next week or so , any info much appreciated thx.
PM always welcome thx.
 

Darentoot

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Please stop asking this question on multiple threads. Go out and do your own research/Investigations!
Same question on different locations... I do a lot of research prior to a visit but this is a community of like minded , helpful people and any help prior to a visit is welcome rather then it being a "lazy" option as u seem to be suggesting.
Or did I miss something ?.
 

adventure4000

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
I don't know why people think they are helping the place when they don't give out info. If your going to find it your going to find it. So why not just help the person on the location of a place rather than saying do your own research/investigations. Sometimes is better if you ask someone for the help.
 

Bugsuperstar

Irresponsible & Reckless
Regular User
I don't know why people think they are helping the place when they don't give out info. If your going to find it your going to find it. So why not just help the person on the location of a place rather than saying do your own research/investigations. Sometimes is better if you ask someone for the help.

Because this is an “exploring” forum. For most members part of the fun is finding the stuff and figuring out how to get in when you’re there.

Established members on this site welcome new people and even more so when they are seen to be getting out there themselves without anyone holding their hands.
 

Giymo85

Amateur and proud
28DL Full Member
To be fair, if you need information to locate Manby you should probably restrict your exploration to your back garden.

Seriously man, 2 minutes on Google Maps is actually too long for this place.
 

HughieD

28DL Regular User
Regular User
Google Maps is your friend. Hone your skills. You might find something you weren't looking for. Now that is exploring.
 

adventure4000

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Have a big list of places I am visiting, Done all my research on you tube and google. Its frustrating when people are just not willing to help when you cant find something that you are looking for, for days or weeks. I cant up load pics on here have troubles all the time. so my pics are on flicker. Happy exploring!
 
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