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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❤️TROPICAL ROMANCE❤️: Here's some romance to brighten your Tuesday!
A short 80 years ago in February 1946 young Betty Manz was on her way to Suva, Fiji, from Auckland aboard RCS Viti to meet up with her new husband, RNZAF No. 5 Squadron Catalina pilot Arthur Manz.
It was decided there was a need for an ‘interception exercise’ and so PB2B-1 Catalina NZ4054, with Arthur at the controls, set out from Laucala Bay, Fiji, to intercept the RCS Viti and ‘bomb’ it with a bouquet of flowers.
RNZAF Fiji Adjutant Alistair Scott was aboard the Catalina in the forward gunner’s position. He later recalled the pass over the Viti was so close he thought the mast would cut the Catalina in half!
Despite Arthur’s commitment to the cause, the flowers missed the target.
However, the master of the Viti, Captain Cummings (who must have been a romantic sailor at heart), turned his ship around to recover the bouquet for Betty.
The next morning the Arthur met Betty and the Viti on arrival in Suva and Arthur presented Captain Cummings with a bottle of Scotch for turning the ship around to collect the bouquet.
Romance was certainly alive and well in the Pacific in the 1940s!
Photos: Arthur with his log book and the relevant entry from Arthur’s log book. The Catalina is not NZ4054, but looks suitably romantic and tropical nonetheless.
❤️
#romance #catalina ... See MoreSee Less
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GUESS THE COCKPIT: This week's mystery cockpit looks a little cramped!
Can you name the aircraft and its manufacturer?
Guess correctly and you go in the draw to win an incredibly stylish Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel coffee mug. They're round - with roundels!
To enter, simply put your answers in the comments below or, for a confidential service, email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz
Go#mysterycockpite#guessthecockpitthecockpit ... See MoreSee Less
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AS.10 Oxford. Built by Airspeed Ltd.
Airspeed Oxford
Airtrainer
Airspeed Oxford
Airspeed Oxford
Airspeed Oxford
I agree, Mike Smith is right. An AS Oxford cockpit
oxford
Oxford
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WE HAVE A WINNER: Come on down Rhonda Hollins - take a bow!
Rhonda is the winner of this week's compeition, she correctly identified Nelson as the location of this parade in February 1944.
She wins one of our magnificent Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel mugs - they are round with roundels.
Please email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz and we will fire up the Bristol Freighter and air drop your mug to you Rhonda.
Thanks to everyone else for entering#mysterymainstreett#mysteryparadearade ... See MoreSee Less
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