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.
Learn More
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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REMEMBERING NOEL: There were tears and hugs all round as a delegation from France arrived to pay their respects to a very brave young Christchurch pilot lost during World War Two.
Pierre Lucas and Mariette Gouget from the Franco Allied Association of Yèvres in Northern France were in Christchurch to meet with the descendants of Flight Lieutenant Noel Stokes.
Each year the people of Yèvres commemorate the sacrifice of 25-year-old Noel on the night of 28 July 1944.
That night Noel’s Lancaster bomber was on a raid over Germany when it was badly damaged. Noel was attempting to nurse the bomber back to England, but he was fighting a losing battle and ended up on a collision course with the small French village.
His crew bailed out, but Noel stayed at the controls to steer the damaged Lancaster away from the Yèvres to crash in a field.
Noel was killed in the crash, and the villagers always believed he stayed on to steer the bomber away. Norman Wilding, an air gunner, aboard the Lancaster, was also lost but the rest of the crew survived and were helped to evade capture by the French Resistance.
Cheryl Onslaw-Osborne (nee Stokes) is Noel’s great niece, and she has attended the annual commemoration in Yèvres to honour the crew’s contribution six times over the years.
Cheryl said attending the commemoration was always emotional, and it was lovely to see Pierre and Mariette in New Zealand.
“The people of Yèvres treat us like family, it is an important commemoration for them. It chokes you up to think of Noel and the care they have for his memory and of Norman.’’
Pierre, President of the Franco Allied Association, laid some flowers in front of our Roll of Honour for Noel. Also at the commemoration were members of the extended family and Glyn Strange, author of No Glory Without Effort, the story of Noel’s heroism.
Noel was born in Christchurch and working for the Post Office in Wellington when he volunteered for the RNZAF in 1942.
Images: Pierre Lucas with the Roll of Honour.
From left: Chris Stokes, Pat Laban, Janet Stokes, Martin Stokes, Cheryl Onslaw-Osborne (nee Stokes) Bob Janek, Mariette Gouget, Pierre Lucas, Francine Bills and Glyn Strange. ... See MoreSee Less
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Great work Bob Janek.
An inspiring story of a hero never forgotten, well done everyone
Martin Stokes
MEET ME AT THE HUEY: Come in in today for a talk on the role the RNZAF's Huey helicopters played in the peacekeeping mission to the Solomon Islands in 2004.
Steve Goodman, a retired RNZAF Group Captain who was part of the mission, will talk about the essential part the iconic Iroquois played ferrying troops, police, firefighters, supplies around the islands.
He's got some fascinating insights into the capabilities of the Hueys - and the challenges operating in the tropics provided.
Steve's talk is free as part of our Talking Taonga series - no need to book.
Talks are at 10.3#bellhueyp#huey##Iroquois#huey #iroquois ... See MoreSee Less
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The noise that those Choppers make, is like no other.
Very informative, many thanks Steve and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Great photo Dad took on the way from Singapore to Malaysia 1975/76 , Bryan Eckhoff
COLLECTION CONNECTION: Meet Ruslan Ataria and Danielle Boyd, who have a special reason for coming to see our collection.
Ruslan’s great grandfather’s brother was Kiwi flyer Flight Sergeant James Barton.
James grew up in Gore and volunteered to join the RNZAF in 1942. He qualified as
a navigator in Canada before being posted to No. 626 Squadron flying Lancaster bombers.
On 12 May 1944 James and fellow Kiwi Colin Marriott were part of the crew of Lancaster JB409 flying on a raid on the Hasselt railway yards in Belgium.
The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter over Holland and severely damaged. It exploded on impact with the ground near Krabbendijke, killing all seven crew instantly.
The rescue axe, one of the few objects to survive, was retrieved from the crash site, and takes pride of place in our collection.
Ruslan says James’s sacrifice had always been remembered by the family, and seeing the axe was a source of pride.
James and Colin are remembered on the Runnymede Memorial in England and are on our Roll of Honour.
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. ... See MoreSee Less
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We Will Remember Them
R.I.P.Lest we for get.
RIP thank you for your service lest we forget condolences 🙏 ☹️