Last of the Lights

[Mike.C]

This day (14th May 2014) saw a huge number of light aircraft come & go from Manston on its last FULL operational day.
Thanks go to Doug & TG Aviation for letting me get close to these aircraft. I wasn't able to get all the aircraft involved but i got most of them. I hope you find these of interest

I'm chucking in the pic of the P-51 as that was also around that day.
G-SIJJ | North American P-51D Mustang | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BTFG | Boeing A75 N1 Stearman | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BRXH | Cessna 120 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BRBK | Robin DR-400 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-EOLD | Piper PA-28 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-CGVC | Western Air Thruxton | Piper PA-28 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BBDP | Robin DR-400 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-AZTW | Cessna F177RG | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-FRAG | Piper PA-32 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

N2CL | Piper PA-28RT | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-AXAT | Jodel D-117A | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BRGI | Piper PA-28 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BHOA | Robin DR-400 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BAKW | Beagle B-121 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-BTNH | Piper PA-28 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-CGJS | CAW SportsCruiser | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

G-OTGA | TG Aviation | Piper PA-28 | EGMH-MSE by MIKE1234789, on Flickr

[The Cameraman]

Hi Mike,

is that a banner in the top left of the 6th image?

Regards

Reggie

[Adam]

It says 'SAVE MANSTON' from what I could see zooming in

[EGVP]

It does, Adam.

The shot below that has a "Keep Calm and Save Manston" poster in the window, too.

[Mike.C]

Yes the banner reads #SAVEMANSTON and the pilot of G-BBDP is also wearing a "Keep calm and save Manston" T-shirt.

I feel sorry for TG Aviation founded by Ted Girdler (former Red Arrows pilot) they had a 50 year lease to operate out of Manston.

If it were not for Manston I'd probably not have had a passion for aircraft like I do It's my local airport which i have supported all my life I joined the local air cadet SQN in 2009 and flown out of Manston many times whether it had been a PA-28, Grob Vigilant or other. And I can honestly say that without Manston Thanet and all of East Kent will loose out on so many opportunities they lost 2 so far the ability to travel pretty much anywhere in the world via Amsterdam and the flying school.

If our council have any common sense they will save our airport.

Mike.C

[Adam]

I must admit, with the fairly decent transport links, it's got to be commercially viable. Whist I haven't read into who owns what land, I expect the offers from developers have become too difficult to ignore.

[EGVP]

It's owned by Ann Gloag, co-founder of the Stagecoach Group. She bought the airfield a while back for £1 when it was losing money hand over fist. Revenue improved, and I believe it was actually profitable for quite a lot of her ownership, but she's now decided to rake in the £££ by selling it. However, having said that, £5m wasn't enough for her, so it will no longer be an airfield. I think a £9m "garden city" is the latest plan - because obviously Thanet needs more houses and less jobs...

[Mike]

A very sad day indeed bit I love that shot of G-BAKW, I've always had a soft spot for Beagle Pups - they just look so right.

Good old Ann Gloag, she didn't need to do this, does she really need a few more millions?