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
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!
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This is the Air Force Museum of New Zealand calling!!📡 Put that smart phone down and join us for a trip back in time to the 1940s and the world of military radios as part of our ongoing Short Talk series. Specialist Kelvin Barnsdale will explain the challenges of bringing 80-year-old radios back to life in a fascinating talk that is both technical and historical in equal measure. If you’re curious, love history and technology and want to rediscover a whole world of lost skills – this is not to be missed! Kelvin's Short Talk - Bringing history to life using restored World War Two radios - is free and you can tune in at 10am on Saturday May 18 in our theatre. #amateurradio#amateurradio #grota... See MoreSee Less
Today we remember two young Kiwi pilots who were killed while on a mission off the coast of France on 30 April/1 May 1944. Fairey Swordfish pilots Sub-Lt Ian Lewis Ruxton Wilson and Sub-Lt Leslie Frank Hayward were serving with No. 838 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm when they were sent to attack the T27, a heavily-armed German Type-39 torpedo boat. T27 had been beached after an exchange with two Canadian destroyers two nights earlier. Both of the young Kiwis’ aircraft were shot down by flak during the attack on the torpedo boat, and a third Swordfish was also destroyed. Nine lives were lost. Ian Lewis Rexton Wilson, a young Aucklander, was just 23. Leslie Frank Hayward, (pictured) from Wellington, was 24. More than 70 years later descendants of the pilots from the Hayward and Wilson families connected, and they travelled to the town of Plouguerneau in Brittany in north-western France, near where they were lost, to remember them. Today, 80 years later, we acknowledge their sacrifice. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
RIP Gentlemen. I was fortunate to be based at RNAS Yeovilton for 2 periods of my RN career and be able to take these photos of the Swordfish that still flies with Navy Wings.
Each day our Andover sits quietly in our reserve collection, its majestic nose pointing above its hangar mates, its Rolls-Royce Darts with their huge propellors looking like they mean business. Its low-key presence belies a colourful past. Paul Radfield has been in touch to alert us to its early days in the RNZAF, which saw the New Zealand Herald dub the aircraft the 'reluctant Andover' after an epic 43-day journey around the world in 1977. Paul had a front row seat in this piece of RNZAF history – he was the navigator on the Andover’s delivery flight from RAF Brize Norton to Whenuapai. George Oldfield was the pilot, Ken Wells was the co-pilot, Piwi Magwire was the loadmaster. The maintenance crew consisted of Smokey Dawson (now a volunteer at our museum), Rod Lawson, Marty Neshausen and Peter Tomlinson. Smokey very kindly dug out the NZ Herald cutting from 4 July 1977 when the Andover was the talk of the town over breakfast. Our story begins in May 1977 when NZ7621 was reactivated from long-term storage as part of a fleet of 10 Andovers bought second-hand from the RAF. It was the deal of the century – 10 Andovers for $13 million. The aircraft were delivered in a series of 12-day flights from the UK. Because of the Andovers’ limited range they were ferried across a number of hops including Naples, Cairo, Bahrain, Bombay, Calcutta, Singapore, Bali, Darwin, Norfolk Island and then Auckland. Under the headline ‘Six weeks to fly this plane home’, the Herald retells the story of the crew’s 43-day epic aboard NZ7621 with no detail spared. Among the issues were a radar failure, brake problems, fuel leaks, and a nose undercarriage collapse – and that was before they left England. Radio problems, delays to diplomatic clearances, main power supply failures, a jammed sextant, a cracked engine bolt, starter clutch failure and a very sick pilot were among the issues on the rest of the journey. The 12-days soon stretched into 43. But this story has a happy ending, because, while the ‘reluctant Andover’ suffered the most issues, its 57 hours flying time on the trip was the shortest recorded. NZ7621, according to The Herald, redeemed itself as ‘the pride of the fleet’. Smokey can’t disagree – the Andover is a favourite type despite the shaky start. “Brilliant aircraft, absolutely perfect for what they were used to do,’’ is Smokey’s verdict 47 years later. #rnzafpastandpresent #hawkersiddeley #extraordinaryaircraft... See MoreSee Less
This is my son Aaron in NZ7621 when he was little. It inspired him, and a few weeks ago he gained his commercial pilots licence and he received his wings in a ceremony at Massey University School of Aviation. NZ7621 has touched a lot of people in her lifetime ❤
I've always wondered why the Andover has been limited to the reserve collection?
It's an impressive aircraft and seems a shame for it to be out the back!
I remember these acct landing on dirt strips in high ranger training area outside Townsville years ago, big problem with prop damage due to their size and so close to the ground.
My first flight, as a freshly minted AC, straight off Junior Course, was dropping supplies over Raul Island for the DoC workers from an Andover. First time standing on a ramp looking at the world go by!!!
Looking good Smokey!!!
Thanks for another great story DK and team 👍👍
Great to see Smokey Dawson is still going strong!
I did 1000 hours on them while on 1 Sqn
Didn't they fit internal fuel tanks for the trip back to NZ, during an operation out of Woody one aircraft sat on its props, pilot had half selected gear up when A/C called back to the line.
Ridiculous aircraft, typical of so many RNZAF purchases. A transport aircraft that couldn't cross the Tasman without refueling enroute. It only had one job and wasn't fit for purpose, unless you count training Air NZ pilots at the taxpayers expense.
Great article, keep them coming. Any chance of photos of NZ7272 the old Air Force 727. I worked on the turning the back part into a house. Front end is at Wigram. John McCormick.
Great story! Are you sure all the stop overs were because 'that's where all the best hotels are'?
Spent a few months as 42 Squadron flight storeman back in the day. Great times for a young baggy.
I had a copy of that article and sent a scan to Rod Lawson some time back. Great to see Smokey still doing his thing. (Les Billcliff)
My brother flew with Kelvin Stark ferrying one of the Andovers back to the UK when they were sold.
Going going gone!
Well said Brett 👏
Nice work 👏
Todd Johnson
Didn't Ken Wells get off loaded in Singapore for "medical ....😏" reasons? Or was that on another ferry flight?
He didn't fly for many years after that.
Amstaff and Staffordshire community for puppies and Adults breeding.
My Dad was Loadmaster Peter M W Murray for many years with 1 Squadron
Our Hawker Siddeley Andover C.1 NZ7621 was the centre of attention during Anzac week as No. 42 Squadron veterans gathered to mark three decades since their deployment to Somalia. Back in 1993, three Andovers and their crews from No. 42 Squadron were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia to form part of the multi-national effort to protect food aid convoys from Somali warlords. During their five-month deployment, 233 missions were flown, carrying supplies and transporting personnel in and out of Mogadishu. When it came to a reunion venue where better to meet up than in the faithful aircraft type that got them there and back? NZ7621 is one of the jewels in our collection and you can see it on one of our daily behind-the-scenes tours. It is a very rare aircraft, the sole surviving RNZAF example and the only military transport configured example in preservation anywhere in the world. NZ7621 originally entered service with the RAF in the mid-1960s. Following its sale to the RNZAF, NZ7621 was flown from the United Kingdom to Auckland, arriving on 24 May 1977. It served solely with No. 42 Squadron, before being allocated to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand prior to the retirement of the Andover fleet in 1998. NZ7621 was flown to Wigram, arriving at the museum on 28 June 1996.
Cool photos. I remember one landing on the grass at Taupo one annual camp. Possibly early '75. Pulled up in no time and then reversed to start and took off again.
Was an Avmech back in 90 on 42, love the Andover
They were a great aircraft, flew on one many times on SATs runs,
Would look great in the white scheme again one day
My late son (James Wall) might have worked on this aircraft as a trainee Airmech at Whenuapai c1996?
This is the Air Force Museum of New Zealand calling!!📡
Put that smart phone down and join us for a trip back in time to the 1940s and the world of military radios as part of our ongoing Short Talk series.
Specialist Kelvin Barnsdale will explain the challenges of bringing 80-year-old radios back to life in a fascinating talk that is both technical and historical in equal measure.
If you’re curious, love history and technology and want to rediscover a whole world of lost skills – this is not to be missed!
Kelvin's Short Talk - Bringing history to life using restored World War Two radios - is free and you can tune in at 10am on Saturday May 18 in our theatre.
#amateurradio #amateurradio
#grota ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I learnt to listen to and appreciate amateur radio by listening to an AR88! Big beast. Yes, I studied, sat the exams and have my licence.
Would be great if this could be streamed I reckon....
Today we remember two young Kiwi pilots who were killed while on a mission off the coast of France on 30 April/1 May 1944.
Fairey Swordfish pilots Sub-Lt Ian Lewis Ruxton Wilson and Sub-Lt Leslie Frank Hayward were serving with No. 838 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm when they were sent to attack the T27, a heavily-armed German Type-39 torpedo boat. T27 had been beached after an exchange with two Canadian destroyers two nights earlier.
Both of the young Kiwis’ aircraft were shot down by flak during the attack on the torpedo boat, and a third Swordfish was also destroyed. Nine lives were lost.
Ian Lewis Rexton Wilson, a young Aucklander, was just 23. Leslie Frank Hayward, (pictured) from Wellington, was 24.
More than 70 years later descendants of the pilots from the Hayward and Wilson families connected, and they travelled to the town of Plouguerneau in Brittany in north-western France, near where they were lost, to remember them.
Today, 80 years later, we acknowledge their sacrifice.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Swordfish pictures courtesey of the Royal Navy.
Read the Wilson and Hayward families' story here:
www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/ian-wilson
#rnzafpastandpresent ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
RIP.Lest we forget.
RIP Gentlemen. I was fortunate to be based at RNAS Yeovilton for 2 periods of my RN career and be able to take these photos of the Swordfish that still flies with Navy Wings.
Lest We Forget 🌹
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Each day our Andover sits quietly in our reserve collection, its majestic nose pointing above its hangar mates, its Rolls-Royce Darts with their huge propellors looking like they mean business.
Its low-key presence belies a colourful past. Paul Radfield has been in touch to alert us to its early days in the RNZAF, which saw the New Zealand Herald dub the aircraft the 'reluctant Andover' after an epic 43-day journey around the world in 1977.
Paul had a front row seat in this piece of RNZAF history – he was the navigator on the Andover’s delivery flight from RAF Brize Norton to Whenuapai.
George Oldfield was the pilot, Ken Wells was the co-pilot, Piwi Magwire was the loadmaster.
The maintenance crew consisted of Smokey Dawson (now a volunteer at our museum), Rod Lawson, Marty Neshausen and Peter Tomlinson.
Smokey very kindly dug out the NZ Herald cutting from 4 July 1977 when the Andover was the talk of the town over breakfast.
Our story begins in May 1977 when NZ7621 was reactivated from long-term storage as part of a fleet of 10 Andovers bought second-hand from the RAF. It was the deal of the century – 10 Andovers for $13 million.
The aircraft were delivered in a series of 12-day flights from the UK.
Because of the Andovers’ limited range they were ferried across a number of hops including Naples, Cairo, Bahrain, Bombay, Calcutta, Singapore, Bali, Darwin, Norfolk Island and then Auckland.
Under the headline ‘Six weeks to fly this plane home’, the Herald retells the story of the crew’s 43-day epic aboard NZ7621 with no detail spared.
Among the issues were a radar failure, brake problems, fuel leaks, and a nose undercarriage collapse – and that was before they left England.
Radio problems, delays to diplomatic clearances, main power supply failures, a jammed sextant, a cracked engine bolt, starter clutch failure and a very sick pilot were among the issues on the rest of the journey. The 12-days soon stretched into 43.
But this story has a happy ending, because, while the ‘reluctant Andover’ suffered the most issues, its 57 hours flying time on the trip was the shortest recorded. NZ7621, according to The Herald, redeemed itself as ‘the pride of the fleet’.
Smokey can’t disagree – the Andover is a favourite type despite the shaky start.
“Brilliant aircraft, absolutely perfect for what they were used to do,’’ is Smokey’s verdict 47 years later.
#rnzafpastandpresent #hawkersiddeley #extraordinaryaircraft ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
This is my son Aaron in NZ7621 when he was little. It inspired him, and a few weeks ago he gained his commercial pilots licence and he received his wings in a ceremony at Massey University School of Aviation. NZ7621 has touched a lot of people in her lifetime ❤
I've always wondered why the Andover has been limited to the reserve collection? It's an impressive aircraft and seems a shame for it to be out the back!
I remember these acct landing on dirt strips in high ranger training area outside Townsville years ago, big problem with prop damage due to their size and so close to the ground.
My first flight, as a freshly minted AC, straight off Junior Course, was dropping supplies over Raul Island for the DoC workers from an Andover. First time standing on a ramp looking at the world go by!!!
Looking good Smokey!!!
Thanks for another great story DK and team 👍👍
Great to see Smokey Dawson is still going strong!
I did 1000 hours on them while on 1 Sqn
Didn't they fit internal fuel tanks for the trip back to NZ, during an operation out of Woody one aircraft sat on its props, pilot had half selected gear up when A/C called back to the line.
Ridiculous aircraft, typical of so many RNZAF purchases. A transport aircraft that couldn't cross the Tasman without refueling enroute. It only had one job and wasn't fit for purpose, unless you count training Air NZ pilots at the taxpayers expense.
Great article, keep them coming. Any chance of photos of NZ7272 the old Air Force 727. I worked on the turning the back part into a house. Front end is at Wigram. John McCormick.
Great story! Are you sure all the stop overs were because 'that's where all the best hotels are'?
Spent a few months as 42 Squadron flight storeman back in the day. Great times for a young baggy.
I had a copy of that article and sent a scan to Rod Lawson some time back. Great to see Smokey still doing his thing. (Les Billcliff)
My brother flew with Kelvin Stark ferrying one of the Andovers back to the UK when they were sold.
Going going gone!
Well said Brett 👏
Nice work 👏
Todd Johnson
Didn't Ken Wells get off loaded in Singapore for "medical ....😏" reasons? Or was that on another ferry flight? He didn't fly for many years after that.
Amstaff and Staffordshire community for puppies and Adults breeding.
My Dad was Loadmaster Peter M W Murray for many years with 1 Squadron
View more comments
Our Hawker Siddeley Andover C.1 NZ7621 was the centre of attention during Anzac week as No. 42 Squadron veterans gathered to mark three decades since their deployment to Somalia.
Back in 1993, three Andovers and their crews from No. 42 Squadron were deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia to form part of the multi-national effort to protect food aid convoys from Somali warlords.
During their five-month deployment, 233 missions were flown, carrying supplies and transporting personnel in and out of Mogadishu.
When it came to a reunion venue where better to meet up than in the faithful aircraft type that got them there and back?
NZ7621 is one of the jewels in our collection and you can see it on one of our daily behind-the-scenes tours.
It is a very rare aircraft, the sole surviving RNZAF example and the only military transport configured example in preservation anywhere in the world.
NZ7621 originally entered service with the RAF in the mid-1960s. Following its sale to the RNZAF, NZ7621 was flown from the United Kingdom to Auckland, arriving on 24 May 1977. It served solely with No. 42 Squadron, before being allocated to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand prior to the retirement of the Andover fleet in 1998. NZ7621 was flown to Wigram, arriving at the museum on 28 June 1996.
www.nzdf.mil.nz/media-centre/news/kiwi-veterans-mark-more-than-30-years-since-somalia-deployment/
#rnzafpastandpresent
#HawkerSiddeley ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Cool photos. I remember one landing on the grass at Taupo one annual camp. Possibly early '75. Pulled up in no time and then reversed to start and took off again.
Was an Avmech back in 90 on 42, love the Andover
They were a great aircraft, flew on one many times on SATs runs,
Would look great in the white scheme again one day
My late son (James Wall) might have worked on this aircraft as a trainee Airmech at Whenuapai c1996?
Brian Haybittle
Misty Falleni Peter Falleni
GavinandLucy Hobbs
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