RAF Manston Trench Art Cross

Formed in the shape of a cross mounted on a tapered plinth, that is reminiscent in design of a war memorial and is a finely worked and unusual example of WWII RAF trench art. It is made from scrap Plexiglas, probably recovered from damaged RAF airframe canopies and refashioned for slightly less aggressive use! The rear of the base is finely engraved to the read 'RAF Manston'; despite having no specific provenance with the piece this is clearly where it originated from.

Manston, located in Kent, was formed in from 1916 as an RFC aerodrome. In September 1939, as RAF Manston, No. 3 Squadron operating Hawker Hurricanes flew in, under the command of No. 11 Group Fighter Command. During the Battle of Britain, Manston was strategically located and was always in the thick of the action and was heavily bombed. Due to its hilltop location it remained usually fog-free and had no approach obstructions and so became a destination of last resort to many badly damaged aircraft and these became the source of spare parts and it is possible this is where the material used here originated from. Post war Manston was home to the USAF, followed again by the RAF, but when they finally pulled out in 1999 Manston became Kent International Airport.

This unique survivor is small but beautifully formed. It stands 6" tall (15 cm) and the base is 3" across (8 cm). Whilst showing minor age wear it is in excellent display condition and would make the perfect gift for the aviation, RAF or Battle of Britain collector in your life this Christmas and certainly not something you can find on Amazon. com-or anywhere else!