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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.

Piecing together the history of Vildebeest NZ102: Part two

Since our first blog on the history of Vickers Vildebeest NZ102, our Research Team has uncovered more of its secrets. This is an update on what we have found recently.

Remembering the Fallen: War Graves Week, 2021

This week is War Graves Week, a celebration of the amazing work done by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in preserving the graves and memorials of service people around the world. The burial and commemoration of the dead of both world wars was a massive undertaking and their continued care by the Commission is a worldwide venture.

May the 4th be with you!

As fans across unite in celebration of Star Wars, who would’ve thought that we’d have a link to the film franchise in our own collection?

Cataloguing our Archives: Preparing for Research in the Future

From 1 May 2021, the Research Team will be suspending our free enquiry service until the end of the year. We think it is important to explain why we are taking this step and what we will be doing during this period.

Occupying Japan: the RNZAF and J-Force 1946-1948: Part 1

In March 1946, the first RNZAF personnel of No. 14 Squadron paraded through the streets of Auckland to board the British aircraft carrier HMS ‘Glory’. Bound for the homeland of their recent enemy, Japan, it was an overseas odyssey which would last for two years.

New Zealand’s first scheduled air mail service

On 31 January 1921, a small Avro 504 biplane of the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company took off from Sockburn Aerodrome, carrying the first scheduled airmail service to commence in New Zealand.

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

Thirty five 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.

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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