What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest Exhibition
Victory!
It is 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Our Victory exhibition, upstairs in the atrium, marks this significant milestone in world history, and the story of the RNZAF.
Victory includes images and memories of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) 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.
You’re welcome to come along and learn all about the end of World War Two with us.
Exhibition
The Mighty Hercules
The Mighty Hercules exhibition is on in the Cochrane Gallery upstairs in our atrium. Come and visit and learn all about this extraordinary aircraft.
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Update
Overseas visitor charge
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.
The charge is required to cover rising costs and to contribute to our new $20 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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FAMILIES MEET: The descendants of two brave young Kiwi pilots from World War Two have met for the first time.
Bob Burns (left) is a distant cousin of Warrant Officer Herbert Samuel ‘Bert’ Wipiti and Gradon Conroy (right) is the great nephew of Sergeant Charles Thomas ‘Charlie’ Kronk.
Bob got in touch with Gradon after he read about his donation of Charlie’s logbook to our museum collection.
Bob and Gradon are connected by their brave forbears who achieved a degree of fame in 1942 when they teamed up to shoot down the first Japanese aircraft in the air battle over Singapore.
Bert and Charlie’s friendship began when they began training at RNZAF Station Levin in 18 January 1941.
They completed training together and were posted to No. 243 Squadron RAF at Kallang airfield Singapore, where they were part of the defence of the city from Japanese forces.
Flying outdated Brewster Buffalo aircraft, the pair managed to shoot down a Dinah reconnaissance aircraft on 10 January 1942, a rare moment of triumph in what was a doomed defence.
The Japanese proved unstoppable and when Singapore fell the pair were evacuated to India and began flying again.
They teamed up again to fly Hawker Hurricanes in in No. 67 Squadron, but Charlie was killed in a flying accident on 28 May 1942. He was 23.
Bert wrote to Charlie’s mum to tell her of his loss, and they kept in touch. Bert was posted to England flying Spitfires with No. 485 Squadron.
Sadly, Bert was killed on a raid over France in October 1943. His Spitfire was lost over the English Channel and his body was never recovered. Bert was 21.
Bob got in touch with Gradon after reading media coverage about Charlie and Bert, and Gradon’s generous gift of Charlie’s collection to our museum.
Bob has been busy working on his family history and Les Wipiti – Bert’s brother – was a member of the Maori Battalion.
Bert was the first Māori pilot to fly in an operational squadron, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, and managed to shoot down the first Japanese aircraft over Singapore with his best mate Charlie.
“I feel very proud of the family history and it has been great to connect,’’ Bob said. ... See MoreSee Less
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MYSTERY AIRCRAFT COMPETITION: This rare Royal Air Force bird was photographed by a Kiwi airman during World War Two.
Can you name the aircraft?
Correct answers go in the draw to win an exclusive Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel mug - they're the talk of the town beacuse they are round and come with roundels!
Put your answers in the comments below, or, if you wish to keep your powder dry, email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz.
Good luc#mysteryaircraftc#competitioni#freethingstodoinchristchurchhurch ... See MoreSee Less
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That undercarriage and engine cowling screams ME109....
Clearly a Spitfeuer. Or maybe a Messerschspitt. Gah I’m not sure now…
Captured BF 109?
I would say a BF109G but it could also be a Kiwi experimental plane, but as we know that would be pointless as Kiwi's can't fly.............I'll see myself out! 🤣
How rude, Willy’s got his Messerschmitt out in public again, mummmmm!
NZ Air Force because it ain’t flying .
I would guess me 109 F. No cannon bulges on the cowling and no cannon pods under the wings.
Messerschmitt bf109e shot down during bob?.
Possibly a Spitfire fitted with a DB engine? Seen photos of one tested by the Luftwaffe in Europe.
Bf-109F or G, though considering it looks to be north Africa it's more than likely to be the main stead of Hans-Joachim Marseille the F model, plus the lack of cannon screams F.
I'm running with a captured BF109.
An RNZAF flavored Messerschmitt Bf109
I’d say a G-2 based on the squared off outer main wheel well and slightly deeper engine oil cooler (plus the ignition harness cooling intake scoop on the forward lower edge of the main engine cowling.
Messerschmitt Bf109
Messerschmitt BF109?
a Bf 109E-3 possibly the one captured given the new number “AE479”
Messerschmitt Bf 109. This is the same exact 109 in particular. Posing with it is Lt. Arnold “Bassie” Basson, SAAF.
Some flavour of Messerschmitt 109G?
Clearly one of the F-22’s getting ready for Warbirds over Wanaka.
Messerschnitzel me 109
Looks like a Bf109
Messerschmitt Me109
Messerschmitt Bf109
It looks like a Captured Desert War Me Bf 109 G4....possibly even the Magnificient Black 6, Restored to Immaculate Air Worthiness, by the Late n GREAT ENGINEER, Russ Snadden n his Awesome Team, who, upon its Loss, was AGAIN, Restored to AIRWORTHINESS, by Russ n his Wonderful Team, n now sits proudly in an RAF MUSEUM....BLACK 6.....
Messerschmitt BF109G Trop of 7.JG53 captured in early 1943
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VISITORS FROM MARS: Meet Bob and Sue Saunders, Canadian visitors who made our museum their very first stop on their tour of New Zealand.
Bob just happens to be a volunteer at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria, Canada, so he had a lot in common with our team.
The BC Aviation Museum features many of the same aircraft as ours – a North American Harvard, Avro Anson, Auster and Bell 47 Sioux, but there is one prize we don’t have – a Martin Mars seaplane, known as the Hawaii Mars.
The Mars – one of only two remaining in the world – is a hero in Canada for its role as a giant waterbomber. Bob was part of the team who worked hard to get the Mars to Victoria, and the work has paid off with attendance at the museum doubling since the giant waterbomber arrived in 2024.
Bob spent 11 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew fast jets – including the CF-104 Starfighter.
As part of his training, he went to Top Gun school in Arizona, flying practice dogfights against A-4 Skyhawks – so he was happy to see ours in captivity.
After leaving the air force Bob went on to fly for 27 years as a commercial pilot and still flies the family’s Piper Cub.
As for Sue, she was resigned to the fact they visited an aviation museum within 24 hours of landing on holiday.
“I’m used to being a museum widow – and it’s a nice place to be on holiday.’’
#bcaviationmuseum #cf104starfighter #hawaiimars #martinmars ... See MoreSee Less
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Bob is legend around here, and a pivotal part of the Mars rescue team alongside Richard Mosdell!
That’s our Bob and Sue, they’re fantastic❤️
My wife made a deal… two shoe stores for every airfield/museum.
Sue is my sister and Bob my brother in law. On a recent trip to Victoria Bob guided me thru the museum giving me first hand knowledge of artifacts, history and personal triumphs. An interesting fact is that he once flew the C104 that is featured in the exhibit. Bob can spend hours talking about the Martin Mars project.
Sue is very accommodating:) with my other half its best I visit such museums solo.
Welcome to NZ. I have visited your excellent Museum in BC a couple of times.
Doesn’t surprise me. Have a great time.
Just took a tour through the Victoria Museum 3 weeks ago and went inside the Hawaii Mars. Jaden Lauder
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