Events
Orion Open Days
We will be opening our historic No.3 hangar for four days in April for the first public viewing of our latest addition – our beautiful Lockheed P-3K2 Orion.
The Orion will be on display from April 18-21 – free entry but donations welcome!
The public viewings will coincide with the launch of our new exhibition and short film Orion: The Story of an Extraordinary Aircraft in our Caldwell Gallery.
Learn more
See work behind the scenes
Daily Tour
Get the most out of your Air Force Museum experience, by taking our special 45 minute guided tour to learn more about the Museum’s work and discover the aircraft, vehicles and engines in our Reserve Collection.
Tours are $5 per person, kids under 12 FREE. Tours run daily at 11:00am, 1:30pm and 3:00pm
Learn More
A fun way to explore the Museum together
Museum Hunts
We offer a range of fun Museum Hunts suitable for 4 – 12-year-olds, with changing themes and challenges every school holiday. Each hunt also enters you in the draw for an awesome prize!
Discover our hunts now.
Learn More
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
An extraordinary aircraft like the P-3 Orion needs an extraordinary video featuring some extraordinary RNZAF people to tell its story - enjoy!
youtu.be/IFzp9YtA-2Y
#RNZAF #p3orion #extraordinaryaircraft ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great video
It's a shame we can't comment on the video. It is simply amazing.
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
View more comments
Good morning NZ4203!
Beautiful day and our even more beautiful Lockheed P-3K2 Orion is accepting visitors from 10am until 3pm today. Our new exhibition P-3 Orion - The story of an extraordinary aircraft is also on in our Cochrane Gallery upstairs.
Rosalie and her mum Amy took line honours as our first visitors - they were super keen.
#extraordinaryaircraft #RNZAF #christchurchnz #p3orion #canterburyplanespotters ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Beautiful weather and it was worthwhile having a look, will definitely be back to see it again when she’s got her tail on. Was an awesome day and thank you team very much, it was well organised.
Done my time with 03 back on 5 Sqn. Great aircraft. Sadly missed.
A great day for a walk down the the #3 hangar.
Well done and very well organised thanks team
If my memory serves me correctly, the ex RAAF P3-B had a higher MTOW than the 5 RNZAF ones (it was built a couple of years later and had a few upgrades). In RNZAF service was it operated at the higher weight or was it operated to the same specs as the rest of the fleet?
Will be there on Saturday morning
always wanted to look around one of these
Ew Kraken I forgot it’s school holidays 🥲
Richard Weavers
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
View more comments
See NZ4203 tomorrow from 10am at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand #p3orion #christchurchnz #Lockheed ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Sad to see the end of a legacy, but so happy to see the RNZAF rightfully honour this amazing aircraft. As a Lockheed employee who supported the life extension of these aircraft (Project Kestrel), I am proud to be part of the Orion family.
Wish I could come and see it’s unveiling but just ordered an Orion tee today in support
Going to see her on Sunday.❤
Not having the doors open all the way?
Luke Keegan
Janis Warburton
eventplying.live/Orion-Open-Days/
View more comments
The 'grey beast' got some fantastic coverage on the news last night.
Thanks Kaysha and JB@Newshub.
Come and see the big grey steakhouse in the sky for yourself - four open days start tomorrow at 10am and go through to Sunday.
www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2024/04/exhibition-of-famous-p3k2-orion-aircraft-to-open-at-ch...#p3orion
#RNZAFi#christchurchnzs#newshubz#extraordinaryaircraftryaircraft ... See MoreSee Less
Exhibition of famous P3K2 Orion aircraft to open at Air Force museum
www.newshub.co.nz
The warfare aircraft has clocked up to 27,000 hours of flying.Comment on Facebook
Just part of your regular visit. We have a special walkway out to the hangar and there will be plenty of staff to guide you. It is a 600m round trip so takes a while - plus you will need plenty of time to admire NZ4203 and take pictures! There is a 13 minute film about the Orion which will be playing upstairs in our Cochrane Gallery and also in the Aircraft Hall. Here's a preview of the film youtu.be/4Z0R3NuGVXk
pity we couldnt get to go inside
How will access to the hanger work? Will it just be part of the regular museum visit or will it be part of the guided tours?
cAnt,t wait to see it
Viki Skilton
Britney Watson
🥰
So many people losing money off the bearish markets but a lot more still making money despite the dip and bear market by CRYPTO SCALPING/DAY TRADING.. I made over 10x on my portfolio just by copying Brian Carsten he's a market genius and always ready to help Brian Carsten
View more comments