A trackway and buildings forming a military installation of 20th century date were visible in RAF/HLA/564 V 6012 01-JUN-1942. These features occupy the First World War semi-sunken hangar at Alland Grange. The trackway provided access from Alland Grange Lane and Spitfire Way and made use of the bed of the former hangar. Given the date of this photography, some of the visible buildings may date to the Second World War. It is not clear from the available aerial evidence, however, how the site had been adapted immediately after the First World War; some structures may date to the inter-war years.

The largest structures stood longitudinally, either side of the former hangar. Apparently they formed bays and storage spaces. They were recorded as demolished structures in Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021. Other, smaller buildings appear to be on the same footprint as extant structures. These features were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024.

A number of semi-sunken hangars were constructed in 1918 to serve RAF Manston. The sites of four can be confirmed by aerial evidence. This hangar opposite Alland Grange (MKE92406) stood to the south of another at Cheesemen's Farm that was also adapted for later military use. Two positioned either side of Manston Road to the north side of RAF Manston were never finished. Photographs of the hangars under construction, including at least one that had been completed, are on display in the RAF Manston History Museum. (1-3)

<1> Historic England Archive, 1941-1960, Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs, RAF/HLA/564 V 6012 01-JUN-1942 (Archive). SKE57101.

<2> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.

<3> Joe Bamford, John Williams, 2013, A Detailed History of RAF Manston, 1916-1930. The Men Who Made Manston (Bibliographic reference). SKE58346.