What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest 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 and Victory over Japan (VJ) 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.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about the end of World War Two with us. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
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
Overseas visitor charge
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
YOU OTTER KNOW BETTER! Our recent suggestion that the RNZAF’s de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter never saw service in Antarctica sent one of our volunteer sleuths down a rabbit hole. Don’t worry, he’s safe, he loves it down in a rabbit hole!
In August 1960 the RNZAF purchased an Otter in damaged condition from the United States Air Force intended for service in Antarctica.
Where did the Otter come from, why was it damaged, and why did it never make it back to the ice?
In his search for answers our researcher found an RNZAF News article from November 1989.
Commander J Lennox-King Royal New Zealand Navy (retired) reveals all about the Otter which he came across during his time as Leader at Scott Base in the summer of 1959.
According to Commander Lennox-King, the Americans had shipped the Otter to Antarctica before deciding it wasn’t of use and sold it to the RNZAF.
The Otter was dismantled, put in a giant crate and had been towed across the Ross Sea ice on a sled in preparation for shipping to New Zealand.
A large snow gatherer (used to scoop ice to be melted for water supplies) had been parked on a hill next to the crate, and the driver had left the engine running as was necessary in the freezing climate. The vibration of the engine somehow eased the brakes off, and the large tractor with its bucket raised headed off downhill, on a collision course with the Otter.
“By great luck the tractor missed the driver and eviscerated the crate and the Otter,’’ Commander Lennox-King wrote.
“The fragments were carefully gathered and loaded for return to Christchurch. I heard nothing more of the incident, but I could imagine the reaction of the RNZAF when their beautiful recently purchased aircraft reached Wigram.’’
So, there you go. First two questions answered.
The Otter, NZ6801 never made it back to the ice, because the RNZAF Antarctic Flight was disbanded in 1960 – about the same time of the purchase. Interestingly, it was disbanded at about the same time as a large new hangar was built a Scott Base to house two Otters.
Why the flight was disbanded is the next quest. Stay tuned.
#rabbitholes #dehavilland #dehavillandcanadaotter #rnzaf #antarcticflight ... See MoreSee Less
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Great story. I never knew we had an Otter on the books of the RNZAF
I wonder where the Otter is now. It would have been a good utility aircraft - not dissimilar to a Cessna Caravan
Flags at half mast today to mark the passing of Jim Bolger ONZ PC.
Thank you for your service. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thats NOT half mast. Talk to any ex or serving Defence force person on the correct way and height.
Looks marginal to me everybody.
Bless
GERALDINE DEPLOYMENT: Our Education Officer Chris Davey has successfully completed another mission in the Ravaquois, this time landing in beautiful Geraldine*.
Thanks for the warm reception you marvellous South Cantabrians!
In recent years we’ve had regular feedback that it is getting harder for rural schools to get bus transport to Christchurch, so we’ve deployed the Ravaquois to take our museum to them.
The Ravaquois is a one-of-a-kind RAV4 disguised as an RNZAF Iroquois, although only trained eyes can spot the difference.
Chris can cater his lessons – ranging from the theory of flight to bespoke history topics – to suit your curriculum.
Email education@airforcemuseum.co.nz to check mission availability, and before you know it you may hear the distinctive sound of the Ravaquois landing in your car park.
*Geraldine has been voted the most beautiful town in the country, by us.
#geraldine #southcanterbury #ravaquois ... See MoreSee Less
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Great way to stimulate that interest in STEM as well