Manchester Airport unveils new memorial honouring 613 (City of Manchester) squadron
- Striking 1:4 scale spitfire installation honours 613 Squadron
- Tribute highlights the historic role of RAF Ringway in the allied victory
- New memorial to serve as focus of Armistice Day commemorations
Manchester Airport has unveiled a striking new memorial dedicated to the Second World War RAF squadron once based on the airport site.
The installation, which features a 1:4 scale Supermarine Spitfire poised above a circular poppy-filled flowerbed, pays tribute to the 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, originally formed at RAF Ringway — the wartime name for Manchester Airport.
Armistice Day commemorations
The new memorial served as the centrepiece of the airport’s Armistice Day commemorations, offering passengers, staff, and visitors a meaningful place for reflection.
The 613 Squadron served as a reconnaissance and tactical bomber unit during the war and remained operational until 1957. Over its service life, the squadron flew several notable aircraft, including the De Havilland Mosquito, the North American Mustang, and the famed Supermarine Spitfire, which inspired the design of the new memorial.
The model Spitfire displayed in the installation bears the 613 Squadron emblem and the historic recognition code “RAT,” used on aircraft flown from RAF Ringway.
The unveiling comes in a milestone year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The memorial honours the vital role that RAF Ringway — and the wider City of Manchester — played in the Allied war effort, ensuring that the contributions of local airmen and the community are remembered by future generations.