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Air Force

Love Letters: Messages of Love in Wartime

These examples from our collection relate to the lives and loves of three New Zealanders serving in the RAF and RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) during World War Two.

RNZAF on the water

Once upon a time the Royal New Zealand Air Force had its own maritime branch, which included a fleet of small boats.

A dramatic rescue

When collections are gifted to the Museum, they can reveal amazing stories we were not previously aware of. Among recent donations are the archives and photographs of Squadron Leader Horace Alexander Nash (nicknamed “Walter” in the RNZAF after the New Zealand politician). Nash was an experienced RAF pilot, loaned to the RNZAF during World War Two. In 1943 he was an instructor on Supermarine Walrus aircraft, with the Seaplane Training Flight at Hobsonville. While we were cataloguing his papers, a remarkable story was revealed.

A ‘very good’ Christmas Cake

Why have one Christmas cake when you can have seven? If these cakes – on display in No. 1 Mess, RNZAF Station Whenuapai – are anything to go by, Christmas of 1943 was going to be a bountiful occasion, not to mention a well-decorated one. Read the full story here.

Volumes of Faith

While cataloguing a recently acquired collection, I noticed that it contained a small New Testament intended for use by the pilot whose collection I was working on. As we approach Christmas, one of the most important Christian holy festivals, it struck me that we must have other bibles and religious texts in the collection. Read all about them here!

Baking in the ‘40s: It’s Just Nuts!

When serving overseas, nothing could say ‘home’ quite as well as receiving a parcel of lovingly handmade baked goods. In 1940, Air Force Relations published a booklet of useful information, and an airman might have been lucky enough to sample some of the recipes it contained. But what were these recipes like? Well, they’re timeless, and just nuts.

Dakota NZ3551: A Jewel in the Crown

Residing in contented retirement at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand is one grand old aircraft with a very special history. Read all about it here.

Britannia Rules the Skies

New Zealanders have been deployed around the world with the Air Force for more than 100 years, and many of the sights that they’ve seen along the way are documented in our archives. From mosaics to temples, and a touch of graverobbing, let me take you on a little tour of some historic and archaeological sites that feature in our collection.

The Grand Tour

New Zealanders have been deployed around the world with the Air Force for more than 100 years, and many of the sights that they’ve seen along the way are documented in our archives. From mosaics to temples, and a touch of graverobbing, let me take you on a little tour of some historic and archaeological sites that feature in our collection.

Remembering the Ball Pass Avalanche

On the afternoon of 23 July 1975, a deep slab avalanche occurred at the head of Ball Pass on Aoraki / Mount Cook. Tonnes of snow and ice slid down the slope face, directly into a group of RNZAF personnel on a training exercise.

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

Entry to the Museum is FREE - but donations are welcome

Location
45 Harvard Ave, Wigram,
Christchurch, New Zealand

Phone: 03 371 9600

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

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