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
WE HAVE A WINNER: Take a bow Blake Forrest, winner of our latest name the aircraft competition. Blake correctly named the aircraft lined up at the Ohakea airshow as (from front) a North American F-100 Super Sabre, Douglas RB-66 Destroyer, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo and de Havilland Devon NZ1802.
Blake wins an Air Force Museum of New Zealand mug with … roundels!
Please email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz and we will fire up the Bristol Freighter and get the mug out to you Blake.
Thanks for entering everyone. Looking at this photo begs the question, where did all the good aircraft names go?
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THE MAGNIFICENT DEVON: Join volunteer guide, and de Havilland Devon specialist Terry Straight, for a FREE Short Talk on the story of this magnificent machine on Saturday 5 July at 2pm.
The RNZAF received its two first Devons in 1948 – and they were a modern marvel compared to the Oxfords, Ansons, Consuls and Rapides they replaced.
They went on to deliver an exceptional 32 years of service, finally retiring in 1980.
The RNZAF received 30 Devons, and they were used in a variety of roles including VIP transporters, air ambulances, and multi-engine communications and navigation trainers.
Terry will talk you through the history of the Devon, its service record in New Zealand and the mechanics and attributes of the aircraft.
It will be heaven if you like the Devon and want to learn more about this extraordinary aircraft and its service.
The talk is FREE and will begin in front of the Devon at 2pm on Saturday 5 July.
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Air Force Museum of New Zealand - will the talk be recorded? Asking for a friend who owns an ex RNZAF Devon cockpit. Thanks
Our Wings Course multi-eng conversion aircraft in 1973 & most definitely not the greatest performer especially on one engine but taught good skills for novice pilots...
YOU CAN'T PARK THERE MATE! Today's entry dates back to 1980, when NZ6208 came to a sudden stop with some front wheel difficulties.
No harm done, but you definitely can't pa#ycptmre mate!
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Watched it happen!Landing gear handle was left in UP position after minor maintenance work was carried out. This happened on start up
That'll buff out
My brother successfully ejected from this aircraft in 1992 by Castle Point on the waiarapa. Think hes still a half inch shorter 🤣
I guess that’s one way of getting in there if you forgot the ladder 
Obese pilot sitting on the wheel causes the landing gear to strip.
No harm! Looks like someone got a bloody nose 🐽
Heard a sky hawk in ausie went off the concrete and got stuck in the ashfelt !craned out
Craig, you at the controls?
She got her nose out of joint a bit…..
the plane was thirsty
"No harm done"? I doubt it 😉
Brett Marshall saves you getting a ladder😂
Poor thing was thirsty and lapping up a bit of puddle water....
It'll buff out.
Tis but a scratch
And then in 92 it's engine flamed out over sea off wairarapa and crashed
No need to bow. A salute will do
Drat - don’t you hate when that happens!
I worked on 08 in the early 90's - I was there the day that 4 planes went out and 3 came back. The following week was spent in a farmers paddock picking up 1000's of bits of metal scattered 100's of meters around the impact hole.
Well they don't make them all like that...
Hes taking a short snooze the aircraft is eepy
Anthony?
Didn’t another one bury itself in the wild hills behind Taihape?
No sudden stop, it was stationary at the time. Gear selection issue on start up.
Just a short nap
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NAME THE AIRFIELD COMPETITION: Get your glasses on and tell us where this New Zealand airfield is.
The picture was taken during World War Two so it may have changed over the years!
Winning entries go in the draw to win this winter’s most popular mug – the Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel special.
It is round with roundels!
Write your answers in the comments below or, if you prefer to play your cards close to your chest, you can email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz.
The winner will be selected under RNZAF police supervision.
PS: We will post again when we have a winner, inviting you to contact us. WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY! If someone attempts this, it is likely to be a scam. ... See MoreSee Less
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Guadalcanal. Aren't you glad I didn't post 'Ardmore'.
Too my people saying Ardmore. I'm gunna buck the trend and throw a spanner in the works. That's definitely RNZAF base Nelson during WW2...
Ardmore home of the grande Prix before pukekohe.
Airfield road to the right with the famous kink and Mullins road bottom 100% Ardmore
Looks like Ardmore.
Looks like Ardmore
Ardmore Airfield Built during World War II for the USAAF this facility was designed to serve as a base for fighter aircraft. However, it was never utilized for that purpose and was instead taken over by the RNZAF which operated Corsair fighters from the site.
Looks like Ardmore
Flew model A/C there with Air New Zealand aero modelers, also flew the A37 Cessna Dragonfly out of those runways. What memories
Looks like Ardmore.
Ardmore. Three hangars in the middle giveaway for me now gone.
Ardmore, the south east apron stacked with aircraft, likely Corsair’s.
The current Tower is on the site of the middle hangar in the middle of the photo. Betsy, the DC3 ties down on the concrete pad on the site of the right hand hangar ( by the current tower) and the sound shell is on the site of the left hand hangar.
As someone who has spent way too much time looking at current and historical birds eye views of airports/aerodromes/airfields, it's definitely Ardmore.
*checks comments for answer…* Ardmore!
Ardmore. Always recognisable today when flying over it coming in or leaving Auckland airport
I say Ardmore, I have flown out of there many times, although 60 years after this photo
It is Ardmore. I can see our current hangar there- the middle one at the top. The two on each side are still there as well. Great photo!
Wow, what an epic photo! My guess is Ardmore Aerodrome in Auckland - does anyone know what year this was taken?
Watched Stirling Moss race and win the NZ Grand Prix Back there in the day at at Ardmore.
Definitely Ardmore, know that layout and roads around it, done the bend in Airfield Rd a few times!
Flown one or two circuits here, and a few overflights in the years after that. Has definitely changed its appearance over the decades, but very recognisably Ardmore (NZAR). Still home to NZ Warbirds, No. 4 (Ardmore) Squadron, Air Training Corps, Avspecs and a number of flight training organisations. Great shot!
Paraparaumu airport built in ww2 by nzaf
Ardmore. Would be keen to know the exact date. I believe ardmore wasn’t made until 1943
What planes were based there at that time???
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