What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest 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 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. The exhibition is on in our upstairs balcony in the atrium.
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
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.
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
Explore AircraftMore to explore
RED LEADER COME IN! Red Kiwi has flown out of formation – and we think she may have had help.
Red Kiwi is a clue in our latest hunt, a beautifully-crafted RNZAF Flying Kiwi complete with wings and jet turbines.
Red Kiwi can be differentiated from the kiwis in the hunt because her wing markings are – no surprises – red - as you can see in the picture.
Yesterday we arrived to find Red Kiwi's cloud looking lonely - she'd vanished entirely.
So we’ve substituted in Red Kiwi 2 – this time in a sealed Perspex tamper-proof strong box. However, if anyone sees the original Red Kiwi, we’d welcome her return, no questions asked.
We miss having her on the flight line for the school holiday rush.
If you are NOT a fiendish birdnapper and are looking for something fun and brainy to do these holidays, try our new Kiwis Fly hunt – featuring Red Kiwi 2.
We’ve had feedback that the hunt is difficult – just how we like it!
Over and out.
#crimeinchrustchurch #stolenkiwi #birdontherun #comehomeredkiwi #justiceforredkiwi ... See MoreSee Less
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How do you land a fully laden RNZAF Hercules on an ice runway?
What do you do if you’re flying to Antarctica and the weather turns bad, and you don’t have enough fuel to get home?
How do you prepare to survive a crash on the ice?
You’ll find out the answers to these questions and more at our Ice & Sky Explorers’ Day on Saturday 11 October.
This FREE day is designed to bring the wonders of Antarctica and aerospace to everyone with a full day of hands-on activities for all ages!
• Step into Antarctic adventures – Explore immersive domes, polar tents, and VR headsets to experience icy landscapes, survival gear, and the wildlife of the frozen south.
• Meet real-life explorers – Ever wondered how you land a plane in Antarctica? Or how to build a rocket at home? Hear from an incredible line-up of speakers sharing stories and career pathways from the Antarctic and aerospace worlds.
• Learn about Antarctic wildlife – Join penguin surveys, test your knowledge with quizzes, and learn how scientists protect these unique species.
• Rocketry & space inspiration – Check out local rocketry displays, space memorabilia, and discover how you can get involved in Canterbury’s growing aerospace community.
• Explore global Antarctic connections – Dive into stories, artefacts, images, and cultural activities from New Zealand, China, and beyond.
Family-friendly fun – From colouring stations and stickers to quizzes, competitions, and AR (augmented reality) apps, there’s something to spark curiosity at every age.
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I wasn't bothered by it. Either you got there. Or you didn't. Tell me. How many didnt? (Hint... ZERO)
Quinn Hall
We invite you to our Airplane and Helicopter Marketplace! Buy, sell, and connect with fellow enthusiasts, and explore a selection of aircraft parts and accessories.https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16yLeYFQdX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
DAKOTA LOST: Today is the 80th anniversary of the worst single loss of life in an RNZAF air crash.
On 24 September 1945, barely a month after the end of World War Two,
No. 40 Squadron Dakota NZ3526 was lost over the Pacific.
The transport aircraft from No. 40 Squadron took off from Pallikulo Field on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) at 5.30am, bound for Whenuapai. On board were four crew and 16 passengers, all New Zealand airmen returning home from active service. At 9.06am, NZ3526 sent out a ‘standby, standby’ message, but radio contact was then lost.
Despite a large-scale search by Catalina, Dakota, Hudson and Liberator aircraft over several days, nothing was found.
No trace has ever been found of NZ3526 or the personnel on board, and they are commemorated on the Bourail Memorial in New Caledonia.
The men who were lost were: LAC Oswald Ferguson Bath, Flight Mechanic (32); Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Francis Coulson, Signals Officer (38); Flying Officer Douglas Farr, Armament Officer (25); LAC George Firman, Armourer (22); Corporal Edmund Eaton Gossling, Fire Crew (34); LAC John Barnard Grenfell, Armourer (23); Corporal Frank Graham Haldane, Coppersmith and Metal Worker (35); Flying Officer Jack Hoffeins, Captain (24)*; Corporal John Douglas Jacobs, Flight Engineer (26); Pilot Officer Clifton Charles Kennedy, Wireless Operator (25); Flying Officer Alan Allister Macpherson, Intelligence Officer (28); Flying Officer Kenneth McArthur, Navigator (28); Flight Sergeant Reginald Bernard Russell, Disciplinarian (41); LAC Raymond Jonathan Taylor, Patrolman (22); LAC Douglas Stanley Thomas, Wireless Mechanic (20); Corporal Marshall Harry Wilson, Intelligence Clerk (21); LAC Harry Faine, Driver (25); LAC Frederick John Kearney, Aircrafthand (22); LAC David John Reid, MT Mechanic (26); LAC Ralph Gordon Savage, Carpenter (36).
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.
*The image is of Dakota NZ3503, similar to NZ3526. ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to RNZ for reporting the anniversary on First Up this morning. Kai pai Nathan Rarere!
How incredibly tragic 😔 Rest in peace Blue skies
You say NZ3503 was lost, it was NZ3526
Weather Conditions: It was later speculated that the aircraft likely encountered severe, turbulent air conditions similar to those experienced by another following aircraft, which may have led to catastrophic structural failure.
Gary Henderson wasn't poppa supposed to come back on this flight but elected to take one last trip home on NZ4017 instead?
We shall remember them. My late father-in-law passed on this flight preferring to travel in a PBY. This association resulted in his book on the history of the RNZAF’s C-47’s Anything Anywhere Anytime held in the museum archives.
My wife's grandad was on this flight, her dad was only 6 when he lost his dad in this flight, he was Oz Bath.
There is a similar storm event and fall out of the sky crash of a RAAF or USAF DC3 in Queensland (also during the 1940s) . As a memorial to the crew significant parts of the aircraft are today still sitting beside the road approx where it crashed. Its a very somber memorial.
Can anyone pinpoint where this airfield is? My dad served with the RNZAF as a wireless operator on Espiritu Santi. I think for No 6 Squadron. We never found out where he was stationed
Never heard of this, but thank you for bringing it to my attention and honouring the lost men.
What a terrible twist of fate. To have survived the horrors of war, and this happen. Lest we forget. 🙏🫡🇳🇿
The excitement of the return then turning into such a tragedy.
Lovely young brave..men.....so sad...😢
We will remember them
Lest we forget
Tragic
What a tragic loss for those people and their whanau waiting at home for their arrival. Seems so unfair.
My uncle missed this flight how lucky was he.
Lest we forget
Blue Skies Gentlemen
RIP
So terribly cruel for those brave men and their families. RIP. Lest we forget.
All those men fighting in the war then this happens to them. May they all be resting peacefully…wow and most in their early 20s…what a shame ✨
We will remember them
Liz Grenfell
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