New Exhibition
Victory!
This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
A new exhibition, called Victory, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) 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. While it was a day to celebrate, there was still a war in the Pacific to fight.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about VE Day with us. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
New Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
We are delighted to let you know that our latest exhibition, the Mighty Hercules, is now open. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
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#Extraordinaryaircraft
Help us build a home for our #extraordinaryaircraft
Our Lockheed C-130H (NZ) Hercules and P-3K2 Orion have had long-term preservation work completed so they can be safely stored while we work on plans for a new permanent exhibition space large enough to house them.
Measuring 29.8m from nose to tail, with a wingspan of 40.5m and a tail soaring to just under 11m high, the Hercules is too large for our current exhibition halls. The Orion is almost as tall and even longer – stretching to 36m thanks to its submarine-detecting tail boom.
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Update
New charge for overseas visitors
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.
We were sorry to have to charge after being free for so many years, but the charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $16 million extension to house the newest members of our collection – our historic Hercules and Orion aircraft.
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Our Aircraft
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HERE’S HERBIE! Herbie Tautau dropped in to relive some memories from his time at RNZAF Base Wigram and have a coffee with us.
Herbie signed on as a civilian steward in No.2 Officers’ Mess back in about 1975. He stayed on until 1986, with a small break along the way.
Coming back brought back the memories.
“When I think about my time here it was all about the friendships with the other civilians and the personnel. It is all about the people,’’ Herbie says.
He laughed when asked whether it was important to stay on the good side of the base cooks.
“Gordon Ramsay’s got nothing on them!’’
After many years living in Melbourne came home to retire and to be close to his daughter and mokopuna.
Welcome back Herbie, thanks for all your service and for visiting your museum.
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Hi Herbie, I remember you being super friendly when I started out as a UT chef at 2 mess- Ma Parker x
Herbie started his journey when I was in No2/Sgts Mess kitchen. Good fella way back then. Often wondered where he ended up.
I remember Herbie from my Wigram days .. now that's a blast from the past😄😄😄
My Dad Bill Vallender was a guide for many years. He also worked in the hanger and was a member of the “Black Hand Gang”. Now my brother is a guide. I also spent many happy hours in the No1 Officers Mess. 😀😀
TALLY HO! Cold Saturday? Want to tuck up warm with a classic movie?
Join Collections Manager Darren Hammond at 10am today for a special talk and screening of the aviation cinema classic, the Dam Busters.
Learn all about the Kiwi connections to the famous – and controversial – bouncing bomb raid on the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Nazi Germany.
Hailed as a cinematic classic, The Dam Busters was also a box office buster - it was the most successful British film of 1955.
Darren started his working career at the RAF Museum in London and has been in the aviation heritage sector for more than 35 years.
His aim is to give the audience insights into the stories behind the controversial raid, as well as the film which immortalised the story.
And watch out for Curated Cinema: The Battle of Britain in July.
No need to book and we will have cushions to make you comfy.
This is the 1955 version and contains offensive language.
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THANK YOU SIR! Long-serving Air Force Museum of New Zealand Trust Board chair Air-Vice Marshal (retired) Peter Adamson has stepped down after 26 years leading the board and has been succeeded by Air Marshal (retired) Kevin Short.
Peter Adamson, who was Chief of Air Force from 1988 to 1992, joined the trust board in 1996, and served as chair since 1999. Over that time the Christchurch museum’s exhibition space has more than doubled in size, its collection has grown to more than one million objects, and visitor numbers have gone from about 40,000 a year to more than 200,000.
Chief of Air Force Air-Vice Marshal Darryn Webb, former Chief of Defence Kevin Short and a host of retired senior air force officers along with museum staff and volunteers gathered in Christchurch on Thursday night to farewell and thank Peter for his remarkable contribution to the RNZAF, the museum and to aviation in New Zealand.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb described how a ‘fresh-faced’ Peter had arrived for initial training school on Tiger Moths at Taieri in 1955 and retired 38 years later as Chief of Air Force.
After a distinguished RNZAF career at the highest level, Peter went on to give another 30 years of service to the nation by supporting aviation causes including the museum and youth aviation.
Kevin Short said Peter’s commitment to the museum had been exemplary.
“We thank Peter for giving his time generously, for his intellect and for his outstanding leadership.
“This museum represents 29 years of Peter’s effort. No one will surpass that.’’
In recognition of Peter’s contribution, the museum has renamed its workshop annex the Peter Adamson Conservation Centre.
Peter thanked everyone on the board and the team at the museum for their support over the years.
Incoming chair Kevin Short had a distinguished career as an RNZAF navigator and senior leader before being appointed Chief of Defence Force in 2018. He served until 2024.
He said he was looking forward to leading the museum’s board as it geared up for its next period of growth which included building appropriate spaces for its latest acquisitions, the retired P-3 Orion and C-130 Hercules aircraft.
A huge thank you to Peter - and welcome Kevin!
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Thanks Boss. Rest now. You've earned it
Perhaps his first involvement with the RNZAF Museum was when he delivered Bristol Freighter NZ5903 into retirement at Wigram in 1977.
Amazing tenure Sir ! My old man would be saluting you for your service and camaraderie you had with him and the C130 crew of the past.
Great memories of my time at Ops Wing HQ Whenuapai. Best boss ever!
Very proud of my Dad ☺️
Thanks Peter. Well done, 29 years is a long time. Now it time for a rest.
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D-DAY: Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb and Air Vice-Marshal (retired) Peter Adamson laid a wreath at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Roll of Honour to commemorate D-Day on 6 June 1944.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb said laying the wreath reminded us of our ultimate purpose and what service and sacrifice meant.
“There are 4,654 names on the Roll of Honour, many well known to us and there is likely a number of connections to them, be that family or friends. The last name on the roll, is sadly one of our current serving young wahine, being added just a few months ago,’’ Air Vice-Marshal Webb said.
On the anniversary of D-Day it was appropriate to remember the significance of that day in June 1944, when the largest invasion ever seen, he said.
The RNZAF played a crucial role in the Normandy landings, primarily by providing aerial support and contributing to the overall allied war effort.
Many Kiwis were serving in the RAF and those killed in action over Normandy included: Flight Sergeant Edward Atkinson, an air bomber, aged 22; Pilot Officer James Chalmers, navigator, aged 21 and Squadron Leader John Clouston, pilot, aged 25.
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.
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So many died to protect our freedom. The freedom we now have needs us to make sure that we do not loose it. We all have a part to play in this , every single one of us. Do not forget the sacrifice made by so many. We will remember them.
Pilot Officer Andrew Edward Coutts, from Whakatane. KIA 3 May 1943. He was one of Leonard Trent's pilots lost that day.
Le'st we forget.....
We will remember them.🇳🇿
LEST WE FORGET, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. R I P BRAVE MEN & WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY. 😭😭😭💔💔🪖🪖🪖⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🧑✈️🛫🛫✈️✈️✈️🌺🌺🌹🌹
I have a grandfather and grandmother remembered on that wall. Thank you for maintaining their memory!
Thankyou Sirs and Ladies for your services 🙏⚘️☘️🇳🇿
There is a great museum dedicated to D-day in Portsmouth, UK. Well worth a visit if you get the chance. The courage of the servicemen and women was beyond belief and truly humbling. 🇳🇿
Husband and I mark our 20th wedding anniversary on 6 June, we have travelled from Christchurch to Normandy for the occasion. Will be thinking of all who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air… Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew – And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. 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 We will remember them.
Douglas Scott Johnstone’s resting place. RIP 😢
Thinking of my late relative Douglas Scott Johnstone. RIP 😥
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