Manchester Airport unveils new war memorial

Manchester Airport has unveiled a new memorial to honour the Second World War RAF squadron that was based on the site.

The memorial formed the centrepiece for Armistice Day commemorations held at Manchester Airport on the morning of 11th November.

The 1:4 scale Spitfire at the centre of a circular flowerbed of poppies pays tribute to the 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which was formed at RAF Ringway, the wartime name for Manchester Airport.

The unveiling of the new memorial at the airport comes alongside the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and aims to preserve the memory of the role that RAF Ringway – and the City of Manchester more broadly – played in the Allied victory. 

The 613 Squadron saw action as a reconnaissance and tactical bomber unit and remained operational until 1957. Its fleet included the De Havilland Mosquito, the North American Mustang, and the iconic Supermarine Spitfire – the inspiration for the new memorial. The model aircraft that forms part of the memorial is adorned with a 613 Squadron emblem and a recognition code (RAT) used on aircraft flown from RAF Ringway.