The airfield has been earmarked for potential development as a future replacement for the current Isle of Man Airport as part of the Draft Area Plan for the North and West.

Despite local objections from approximately 60 farmers, the proposal went ahead, with Tynwald, the Manx parliament, approving the Defence Bill put forward by the Island's Lieutenant Governor, William Leveson-Gower, 4th Earl Granville.

As it developed, RAF Jurby made an increasingly dramatic imposition on the surrounding rural landscape, its conspicuous features being visible across the northern part of the Island.

[7] Also at this time the contract for the electrical installation was awarded to the Doncaster Colliery Supply Co., Ltd.[8] As the work continued, it was decided that additional land would be required.

[11] The airfield was surrounded by 10 pillboxes (nine of which survive)[12] and in addition there were seventeen trench air raid shelters to afford protection in the event of an attack.

[12] The bombs were taken from there to the aircraft in order for them to carry out their practice missions which would involve them dropping the ordnance on the nearby target ranges, controlled by RAF Jurby Head.

The aircraft employed for the training were such as the Handley Page Heyford, which had started to be replaced in 1937 from the front line squadrons, having been deemed obsolete.

Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys, released from operational squadrons, arrived at RAF Jurby in April 1940 joining the other aircraft types on the station.

Consequently, the Herefords had to have special treatment by being positioned close to the runway before engines were started up by the trolley acs, so they could take off for the bombing ranges with the minimum of delay.

Following the fall of France and the subsequent availability of bases in the Pas-de-Calais and low countries, the Luftwaffe undertook a strategic offensive against the industrialised regions of North West England, Northern Ireland and Central Scotland.

Ideally situated to offer protection to these areas, RAF Jurby became home to five fighter squadrons for various periods between November 1940 and October 1941.

[25] Whilst at Jurby the squadron undertook further convoy patrols over the Irish Sea and intensive low flying and firing practice over the Ayres.

[28] The squadron's ground crew component had been formed at RAAF Station Williamtown, New South Wales, on 10 June, and departed for England on 7 August; the same day 457 Sqn moved to RAF Jurby.

[1] As part of the re-organisation Handley Page Hampdens arrived at Jurby as they were removed from front line operations, joining the Avro Ansons and the other training aircraft.

[33] These were to be led by Wing Commander 'Jumbo' Edwards, an Oxford rowing blue,[34] who was in charge of all flying operations at Jurby and who planned and flew all the routes used by the trainee navigators.

To operate correctly a minimum speed of 120 knots was required which, due to form drag, even on full throttle was difficult for the Anson to achieve with bomb doors open and external racks fitted.

Whilst at Andreas air gunners underwent an intensive ten-week course, before passing on to the operational training units of RAF Bomber Command.

An agreement was made with the Air Ministry to enable the use of the Station and ground staff from Ronaldsway would be transported to Jurby in order to support the operation.

On the Technical Site there was a gymnastic display, a dinghy drill in the static water tank and an exhibition of the clothing and equipment of the RAF Jurby Mountain Rescue Team.

[63] The first fatal wartime accident on Manx soil occurred on 1 January 1940, when an aircraft on a training flight from RAF Upper Heyford crashed into Snaefell in bad visibility, killing three of its four crew members.

The aircraft departed RAF Millom at 12:40hrs with the two Group Captains on board, together with another two passengers; Wing Commander Francis Fenton and Squadron Leader Roy Charter.

The weather on the day was reported as misty, the conditions shrouding the mountainous spine of the Isle of Man, and when the Anson failed to arrive at Jurby at its allotted time of 13:15hrs a search and rescue operation was put into effect.

[72] An RAF Court of Inquiry was held and the findings were that there was no mechanical or technical failure of the aircraft and that the accident was caused by a navigation error with no allocation of blame.

The town's Market Place was used as a parade ground for the occasion, with the Title Deed presented by the Chairman of Ramsey Commissioners to Group Captain Burnett, Officer Commanding RAF Jurby.

5 Bombing and Gunnery School with Fairey Battle, Handley Page Hereford, Bristol Blenheim and Westland Wallace aircraft.

Having been at the forefront of local life in many aspects, particularly that concerning sport, the news of the closure of RAF Jurby was met with widespread sadness on the Isle of Man.

Since its inaugural event in 2009, the airfield has been home to the annual Jurby Festival of Speed[88] which takes place on the middle Sunday of the Islands Classic TT (formerly Grand Prix) fortnight.

The main events of the day are a bike rally and friendly races around the "course" which takes in sections of the runway, taxiway and perimeter track.

From 2007 to 2016, one of the re-clad RAF Bellman hangars was home to the facilities of Excalibur Almaz[90] whose office base is in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man.

In keeping with their aviation surroundings, there are the airship parts mentioned above, a Spitfire replica and a glider kept in pieces in the back storage yard.