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Simon Moody

Simon Moody is Research Curator at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Simon is usually the first port of call for enquiries, and is responsible for the smooth running of the research collections. This involves ensuring that public and Defence Force enquiries are dealt with promptly and as fully as possible. The collection is made available to researchers, and is stored and preserved, catalogued and managed professionally. When he’s not busy answering enquiries and managing the archives, Simon also does a large part of the research for exhibitions and displays within the Museum.

Remembering Operation Desert Storm: the RNZAF and the Gulf War, 1991

30 years ago, operations against Iraq ended with the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm. During this brief but decisive conflict, RNZAF personnel were deployed in support of the wider Coalition against Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein, and his forces.

Piecing together the history of Vildebeest NZ102: Part one

The service history of our Vickers Vildebeest is punctuated by some remarkable stories, but uncovering them can be a research challenge. This is some of what has been found so far and how it was done.

Remembering ‘The Few’ 80 Years On

The Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 was one the turning points of World War Two. For five months, from June until October 1940, a small number of young fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF) struggled against the much larger German Luftwaffe for control of the skies over southern England.

Cook Strait: the first flight

On 25 August 1920, three men of the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company conquered one of the great barriers to New Zealand aviation, when they made the first aerial crossing of Cook Strait.

Witnesses of Deliverance: New Zealand Airmen and Dunkirk, May-June 1940

The ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ ensured that Britain’s army would not suffer the same fate as those of France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway and Poland and fight on. While no New Zealand troops took part, there were significant numbers of New Zealand airmen involved and these are some of their stories.

50 Years On: RNZAF Skyhawk Purchase and Arrival

It has been 50 years since the McDonnell Douglas A4-K Skyhawk, one of the most iconic and longest-serving aircraft in the history of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), first arrived in New Zealand

Remembering Operation “Manna”, 1945

75 years ago, in April and May 1945, one of the first major humanitarian operations carried out by air forces took place over Holland.

Let’s Talk Research: The Heavy and Continuous Sacrifice Conference

Over 13-15 February 2020, a major international conference on World War Two was held at Massey University campus in Wellington. Entitled ‘Heavy and Continuous Sacrifice’, it focused on New Zealand and international aspects of the conflict.

40 years of service – the military journey of Harry Leese

Read the story of the life of a veteran who served in both World Wars.

On the wing – Rugby in the Royal New Zealand Air Force

With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, we thought it would be a great opportunity to trace the story of New Zealand’s national game in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

Opening Hours
Open daily 9.30am to 4.30pm
(except Christmas Day, 25 December)

Free entry for New Zealanders & people living in New Zealand

Location
45 Harvard Ave, Wigram,
Christchurch, New Zealand

Phone: 03 371 9600

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