A 2008 desk-based assessment identified a possible First World War hangar, partly buried, at the riding centre on Alland Grange Lane.(1)

During World War One the close proximity of the German bomber bases, and the presence of active and aggressive naval flying units of the German Navy, the War Office explored safer methods of hangaring at Manston to remove aircraft from the risk of surface bombs by using sunken hangars built into the chalk bedrock. The hangars were large and big enough for Handley Page bombers, and approached by gentle ramps. Along the inner wall structure are large concrete blocks, presumably bases or hard-standings for the steel frame pillars. Despite references to these structures being ‘underground’, there was never any thought of covering the hangars with soil and by the end of World War One four sunken hangars were planned for construction at RAF Manston. The remains of one at Alland Grange is still visible. Two others on Margate road were never completed and the remaining one at the north end of Spitfire Way is now completely filled in. Some of these concrete blocks can still be seen at Alland Grange riding school. (2)

The earthwork banks and parts of the interior wall revetments of a semi-sunken hangar of First World War date were visible as earthworks and structures on RAF/HLA/564 V 6012 01-JUN-1942. The banks, which were made of spoil from the excavation process, survive but the walls were recorded as demolished structures on Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021. The features were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. Inter-war period and Second World War features inside and around the former hangar are recorded separately.

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 stood to the south of another at Cheesemen's Farm. 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. (3-5)

<1> Scott Wilson, 2008, China Gateway Manston: environmental statement (Unpublished document). SKE30560.

<2> KCC, 2016, Survey of Buildings and Structures Associated with Manston Airport and the Surrounding Areas. (Unpublished document). SKE31558.

<3> Historic England Archive, 1941-1960, Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs, RAF/HLA/564 V 6012 01-JUN-1942 (Archive). SKE57101.

<4> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.

<5> Joe Bamford, John Williams, 2013, A Detailed History of RAF Manston, 1916-1930. The Men Who Made Manston (Bibliographic reference). SKE58346.