New Exhibition
Victory!
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
A new exhibition, called Victory, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) Day which have been sourced from photographs, letters, postcards and personal histories in our collection.
Victory includes insights into how Kiwis celebrated, and how they felt.
Many found it difficult to rejoice after so much loss and suffering. While it was a day to celebrate, there was still a war in the Pacific to fight.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about VE Day with us. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
New Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
We are delighted to let you know that our latest exhibition, the Mighty Hercules, is now open. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
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#Extraordinaryaircraft
Help us build a home for our #extraordinaryaircraft
Our Lockheed C-130H (NZ) Hercules and P-3K2 Orion have had long-term preservation work completed so they can be safely stored while we work on plans for a new permanent exhibition space large enough to house them.
Measuring 29.8m from nose to tail, with a wingspan of 40.5m and a tail soaring to just under 11m high, the Hercules is too large for our current exhibition halls. The Orion is almost as tall and even longer – stretching to 36m thanks to its submarine-detecting tail boom.
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Update
New charge for overseas visitors
A $15 entry charge was introduced for all international visitors to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand from 31 March 2025. Tickets available online or from our Welcome Desk on arrival.
We were sorry to have to charge after being free for so many years, but the charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $16 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
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Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
WARMER CLIMES: On a cool Sunday in May what could be better than to turn your mind to the tropics.
So here, for your viewing pleasure, are some pictures of Sunderlands, Catalinas and life in the RNZAF at Laucala Bay, Fiji, arguably the best air force posting (except in wartime) there ever was!
The RNZAF flying-boat station was opened in 1939 amid rising tensions in the Pacific. Laucala Bay operated until 1967. The beautiful painting is by RNZAF artist Maurice Conly.
If you have any connection to Laucala Bay, or simply want to investigate our photo collection, have a look at: fotoweb.airforcemuseum.co.nz/fotoweb/
Enjoy!
#Fiji #shortsunderland #pbycatalina #LaucalaBay ... See MoreSee Less
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My grandfather was an RNZAF PBY Catalina engine mechanic stationed throughout the pacific through WW2, including as a flight engineer for Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1953 on board the RNZAF C47.🙂
EXOTICS: RNZAF Station Wigram has hosted many exotic aircraft over the years, as this picture from our archive demonstrates.
It shows a United States Navy Sikorsky HRS-3 helicopter, 144256, from the Navy ice-breaker USS Glacier, trundling over the base in 1956.
What is even more interesting is what's on the tarmac bel#sikorskyhelicoptersp#ussglaciera#RNZAFRNZAF ... See MoreSee Less
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I like your use of verbs, “has hosted” (present perfect) as opposed to ‘hosted’ (past simple). So, hope many more to come!
Oh yes! A brand new Morris Minor.
Also R4D, UF (Albatross) and P2v-2 - two of each in 1956.
Yes, the Standard Vanguard is utterly fascinating
Douglas R5D-3 Skymaster. 56528 was one of the first planes to land at McMurdo.
At the official opening and airshow at Hawke's Bay Regional Airport in February 1964, a US Navy R5D transport did a JATO-assisted takeoff as part of its display. If you've ever witnessed a big, lumbering, four-engined transport with radial piston engines begin a takeoff run, then seen and heard those JATO bottles light-up, you never, ever forget it. It is literally that spectacular. Also at the same airshow, a RAF Handley-Page Victor V-bomber put on a very noisy and spectacular display. It was visiting NZ at the time and operated out of RNZAF Ohakea. I was there, a week before my 10th birthday.
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HEY RAZ, WHATCHA WEARING? Dedicated followers of fashion may be interested in the latest chapter in our occasional museum workshop haute couture series, called ‘dust coat.’
Our model today is Sergeant Derek ‘Raz’ Malkin, who is sporting his RNZAF issue ‘dust coat.’
Dust coats (official colour: khaki duck) were issued to instructors, NCO, IC Bays. This is RNZAF speak for instructors, who were non-commissioned officers (NCOs), in charge (IC) of a bay. A bay is a work area in a hangar, and they are split into different disciplines such as welding, engines, carpentry, avionics etc.
A dust coat kept the uniform of the NCO wearing it clean and tidy while instructing and generally issuing commands and gentle advice to other members of the team.
Raz, when not modelling, is a motorised transport (MT) NCO, and his dust coat has 23 years on the clock. It has done a magnificent job of keeping his uniform tidy.
Dust coats were also handy to camouflage NCOs at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, because they blended perfectly into the Marlborough countryside.
#rnzafpastandpresent ... See MoreSee Less
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URGENT CLARIFICATION: Arkwright's dust coat is not RNZAF senior NCO issue, different pocket configuration.
Hey Raz, when you retire you will be required to return your Coat Dust NCO i/c for the use of, in the same condition that it was originally issued to you. Otherwise Kerry Duncan will probably break out his RNZAF Form 664B pad. 😂🤣😅
You forgot to mention the hand warmer element.
It also has tailored lapels... which were reserved for commissioned officers...
I'd love to hear some of Raz's "gentle advice" 🤣
Good on ya Raz.
Really want those original pics Air Force Museum of New Zealandd and brother Raz Malkin. Possibly a lot of dust has been settled. Could that be why the colour looks a bit off?? You heard that! PARDON!!
You are rocking the look Raz. Just need to smarten up a bit, hands out of pockets and fasten those buttons🤣. With your hands out you can stash more contraband.
Raz to make a dust coat last that long says a lot .. are those pockets fur lined, just saying cheers Marty
Good on you Raz!! And standing next my old girl NZ662!!
That dust coat looks suspiciously clean
What about the old blue greatcoat? Issued early 70s. Made a great extra blanket
Put on a dust coat grabbed a clip board and paper and disappeared for a couple of hours. No one ever queried what I was doing
Where's his pen protector
looks to be 10 sizes to big
You should of taken Dads now that would of been a scream Raz Malkin 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Awesome photos Raz
Raz, Please don't give up your day job mate.
First of all you'd have to get the Sarge out of the Joe room to issue any commands they may wish to make to the team though eh?
Liane Malkin
What a star!
Looking spiffy, Raz x
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OPEN COCKPIT: C-47 Dakota (by Royal Appointment!)
Celebrate the King’s Birthday on Monday 2 June with a behind-the-scenes tour of our most royal of aircraft, the C-47 Dakota.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth flew on the VIP transporter during her 1953-54 tour of New Zealand, and it has been preserved as it was 70 years ago when Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled aboard it in style.
You’ll be able to climb up the red carpet and go aboard for a half hour tour of this fascinating time piece, with a full commentary by our guides who flew Dakotas.
The tour includes a look in the cockpit, which has been perfectly preserved as it was when the aircraft last flew.
This is a rare chance to see inside our Dakota, and perfect for the holiday weekend.
You can book here: ecom.roller.app/airforcemuseumofnewzealand/opencockpit/en/products
#rnzaf #dakota #c47dakota #douglasdakota #christchurchnz #wigramskies ... See MoreSee Less
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Polished and maintained this aircraft in the early 1970’s
I am lucky to have been inside it, highly recommended.
Is the link broken or sold out?