What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Birthday Parties
Mission: Best birthday ever
Zip up a flight suit, grab your dog tags, and dive into a fully hosted birthday “mission”. From air & sea adventures for preschoolers to rescue and cadet challenges for older children. Our Programmes team runs the activities, the children get awesome photo moments (and party bags), and you can add catering through our café.
Book a birthday party
Latest Exhibition
Victory!
It is 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Our Victory exhibition, upstairs in the atrium, 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.
Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
The Mighty Hercules exhibition is on in the Cochrane Gallery upstairs in our atrium. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
Learn More
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.
The charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $20 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
Learn More
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
❓MYSTERY OBJECT COMPETITION ❓: Righto aviation fanatics, can you tell us what it is and what aircraft it belongs to?
Bet you can't.
Put your answers in the comments below and you'll go in the draw to win an Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel mug.
They are round with roundels and have regularly topped the World's Most Desirable Coffee Mug list*.
Good luck!
*The annual World's Most Desirable Coffee Mug list is#mysteryobjectus#wedonthaveacluec#impossiblepuzzleue #impossiblepuzzle ... See MoreSee Less
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It's a lawnmower.
Clearly, It's the Doohickey which is connected to the Thingamabob, which controls the Whatchamacallit. Simple.
Without that the ships radar would struggle to pick up a Wasp. Called a "Luneburg lens". More a radar reflector than a real IFF.
All day sucker for when pilots have had to bail over enemy territory or are just hungry for some sugar.
It’s a red and white stripey thing. Plain as day.
India Band transponder. Made controlling a Wasp much easier.
I am still none the wiser having read the comments! I have however enjoyed some time reading about the Westland Wasp, Lüneburg lenses, and finding pictures of helicopters with the same mystery object in between the front legs. I will buy a mug 😆
I Band Transponder. Makes helo visible on I Band radar.
I am always impressed that there are people who know the make, model, and thread type of the weirdest bits. I'll keep drinking coffee out of a tin cup 🥤
this is the iff antenna on the Mk1 Wasp the system was the ARI 5954?
Yep even before looking at the comments my thoughts were the Wasp! Funny we were talking on the weekend about the BBC series Warship that featured the little bug ….
IFF antenna on a Mk1 Wasp
The mighty Wasp HAS Mk1
IFF antenna on the WASP
At last, the veritable Wigwam for a Gooses Bridle has been found in one piece, Min.
Wasp IFF antenna with a much later fancy paint job. Originally blue colour like the rest of it. Could be folded back I think.
A counter weight for a cable or hose
Front wheel of a tiger moth?
It’s the antenna of the Westland Wasp HAS MK-1 helicopter
I will admit I think it is some kind of antenna but which specifically I don't know. It is fitted to the Westland Wasp HAS Mk 1 as seen here between the two front undercarriage legs.
Luneburg lens from a Westland Wasp helicopter.
Flux capacitor, made it time travel.
Wasp Band Transponder
Omg I do know this one! I did a model of a Westland Wasp years ago and I remember this thing on the bottom of it. Not sure what it does tho, but I def remember painting or decalling the stripes. Loved the Wasp, what a cool little helo…
It is a Decca Navigator antenna, specifically known as a Luneburg lens radar reflector, from a Westland Wasp HAS Mk 1 helicopter. But I could be wrong though
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TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! Flight Sergeant (retired) Antony ‘Tank’ Hanlon rumbled into town a few days ago, taking the chance to inspect the Skyhawk wing he once commanded.
Back in May 1970 the RNZAF’s McDonnell Douglas Skyhawks had arrived aboard the USS Okinawa from the United States, and they slowly were transported through Auckland city to Whenuapai.
Young Tank Hanlon was assigned to sit on the wing of our TA-4K Skyhawk NZ6254 – and the image of him is immortalised on our wall.
Tank joined the RNZAF in 1964 and served until 1985, serving mostly with No. 40 Squadron and No.5 Squadron at Whenuapai.
Other postings included Singapore and Wellington, but Whenuapai was his main air force home.
He initially trained as an electrician and later became an avionics specialist, and said he had a charmed life for his 21 years of service.
“Not only did we get great training, but I loved the comradeship as well,’’ Tank says.
“I still see all my mates as much as possible, and I think every young person in New Zealand should serve at some point in their lives. In fact, I’d be all for reintroducing compulsory military training.’’
Tank went on to a career in boat building, he was busy sailing while serving in the RNZAF and even built his first yacht, a 26-footer, while in uniform, which he sailed to Fiji.
He’s Patron of the Russell Yacht Club and a former president of the Russell RSA, and an all-round gem.
Tank you for your service and for visiting your museum! ... See MoreSee Less
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When on 40 Squadron Tank had a a Series 1 Land Rover painted bright orange with a multi coloured canvas back, remember him with that on multiple adventures.
It was an awesome day what a guy the wing rider. I was 13yrs old when the 14 skyhawk were towed though Pt Chevalier what a awesome site
Looking good
He would have known my old man Greg Spark. I was born in 64 and dad hadn't been in the force long.
Would he know my father wing commander who's a pilot too. William Williams NZAF.
Very cool .. lovely to catch up
Lovely bit of history. Hope you are having a great time in the south. Ticking all those pubs off. 🤗🤗🥰🥰
Celebrity
Go Tank, great memories on 40
How wonderful Ants.
🫡 love reading these old stories history thanks Tank
Looking good Mr Hanlon.xx
Tank Raewyn Hanlon you're famous lol😉😍
Great to see you Tank. Enjoy your time around the South Island.
Good one Tank. Great catching up with you and Raewyn on your way through Ashburton. Regards G
That day as a teenager I was at MOTAT standing by the Lancaster which in those days was still capable of running up the engines. She fired up in salute as they filed past. It was a site I have never forgoten
I lived in Whenuapai at the time, and remember watching the Skyhawks being towed up the North Western Motorway.
Good going Tank.
Hi Tank.
Omg how awesome. You ol important special bugger. Xxxxx
Helen Clarke was waiting at the Whenuapai gates with her commie mates protesting.
Rumbled into town…I love it and thank you for your service Tank.
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📸ANZAC CROWD📸: We had a record turnout at today's Anzac Day commemoration at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and we'd like to thank everyone who attended.
Our oldest service person was WAAF Fay Hunt, a young 97. The youngest was three-week-old Riley Watkins, whose greatgrandfather David Iggo was a Spitfire pilot in No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron.
Riley's special Anzac onesie featured a Spitfire, and he wore it with pride.
We were also delighted to see our local MP Megan Woods, and Councillor Mark Peters.
The Somali community was there in force for a meet up with members of No. 42 Squadron RNZAF. The squadron are veterans of the 1992/93 deployment to Somalia, and it was a great chance for them all to catch up and make connections.
See you all aga#RNZAFt year!
#rnzaf ... See MoreSee Less
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An excellent service today . A great welcome by museum director Brett Marshall. And address by Air Vice-Marshal Andy Woods I especially was interested in the story of Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg and his heroic mission. Thanks to all for another fine day of Remembrance We will remember them ⚘️
A beautiful service.
TIGER MOTH...... Westfield Riccaton Mall 🇳🇿🙏🕊️💔💛 Lest We Forget
A wonderful photo record of the day. ANZAC Day 2026. Well done all.
🫡
An awesome service as always. Seems the crowd is getting bigger each year.❤️
It was a wonderful service and you have captured the feeling of it so well. 🍻
Ian on the other side of the world, I always remember my dad’s NZ cousins who served, on with the army in the pacific, one with Bomber Command and one with 2TAF. Luckily all survived. I walked to this memorial yesterday which is near the village where I live, commemorating the loss of 15 lives when two Lancasters crashed in low cloud. As you can see, several New Zealanders, one, F/O Hogg having moved to the UK before the war. I visit them on Anzac Day and leave a poppy with a sprig of rosemary from my mum’s garden because they fell so far from home.
We remember them in silence, in gratitude, and in the quiet promise that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Lest we forget. why it matters to younger generation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIiD2UObuQw&t=308s
A great turnout👌and yes maybe next year I'll be there👍
Thanks for sharing Sue. A very special day for all!💞
There was a Air Force WO who was in charge of force movements in Singapore 80/82 ish. I am certain that he got out on RTNZ and worked at the museum? Any ideas anyone?
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