What's on at Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Latest from the museum
Latest Exhibition
Tall Tails
Our Tall Tails exhibition features the mounted tails of the C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion, this new exhibition brings visitors closer to two extraordinary aircraft and the stories they carry. It also highlights the importance of finding a permanent home for them, as the Museum continues to fundraise through the Home for Heroes project.
Tall Tails is on display in our Thérèse Angelo Wing.
Learn More
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
Support Us
Home for Heroes
Join us in building a forever home for New Zealand’s C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion – icons of service.
For more than half a century, these legendary aircraft carried our nation’s courage across the world – in peace, crisis, and discovery. Now, they need a home worthy of their legacy, where their stories of service, innovation and humanity will continue to inspire.
Learn More
Birthday Parties
Mission: Best birthday ever
Zip up a flight suit, grab your dog tags, and dive into a fully hosted birthday “mission”. From air & sea adventures for preschoolers to rescue and cadet challenges for older children. Our Programmes team runs the activities, the children get awesome photo moments (and party bags), and you can add catering through our café.
Book a birthday party
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
Today we recall Sergeant Ronald West Taylor, killed when his aircraft was shot down 85 years ago on 19 July 1941.
Ronald Taylor was the pilot of a Bristol Blenheim MkIV of No. 105 Sqn V6039 which took off at 11.22am on an anti-shipping raid off the coast of the Netherlands.
The squadron attacked a convoy of 14 ships, and the Blenheim crashed after being hit by anti-aircraft fire.
Also lost were navigator/bomb aimer Sergeant Reginald Withrington, RAF and wireless operator and gunner Sergeant Selwyn Sparkes, RAF.
Their bodies were washed ashore and Ronald is buried at Noordwijk cemetery.
Ronald was born in Christchurch and went to St Andrew’s College in Strowan. He was an insurance clerk in Wellington prior to volunteering for pilot training.
He was only 25 years old when he was lost. We've placed a poppy by his name today.
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.
📸RW Taylor, front row far right. Image: MUS9410110a
📸A Bristol Belnheim, from No. 113 Squadron RAF, over teh water. Image: 2019-190.73 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
There's my father in the photo who survived the war with DSO DFC MiD. As regards the above history, my namesake ( Fathers brother) David Starky left New Zealand in 1938 for a career in the UK RAF. He was commissioned and won his wings at 19. He was sucked into the debacle in France where he was shot down a couple of times flying - as above - Blenheim Mk IV. Then in July 1940 he was also shot down off the Dutch coast. He had just turned 20, and his body was never found. He is remembered on the wall at Runnymede and on the War plinth in the main street in Opotiki.
Lest We Forget
📢WHOOP WHOOP - GET THE KETTLE ON - WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!📢: Come on down and enjoy your moment in the sun ✨Matthew Simmonds✨ - winner of our mystery control column competition.
Matthew correctly wspotted that the mystery was really no mystery at all - it is a control column from a Westland Wasp HAS.1 helicopter.
In fact, as many of you pointed out, it is a cyclic control column from NZ3906!
Our Wasp is one of the stars of our collection. The Wasp, or Parafin Parrot, was the first aircraft to be jointly operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
This little blue beauty first entered service in 1964 with the Royal Navy.
In 1982 it was sold to New Zealand and began its RNZN career about the HMNZS Wellington.
It was retired in 1995. Wasps were superceded as Navy helicopters by Kaman Seasprites.
Judging by the number of correct answers this competition proved a bit too easy so we are going in search of something tougher. Please stay alert!
Matthew Simmonds - please email communications@airforcemuseum.co.nz and supply your address so we can fly the mug out to you using our Bristol Freighter - because nothing is greater!
#MysteryObject #wedonthaveaclue #ImpossiblePuzzle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Holly smokes thought I would never win 😁😁😁
Another enjoyable thread, enjoy the posts made by fellow fans!
The year is 1969, and 17-year-old Cheryl Butt from Invercargill is dreaming of a career as a pilot in the RNZAF.
Her father and grandfather served in the RNZAF, and she grew up as a brat on base.
She applied to join and is told no chance - no ‘lady pilots’.
But luckily for her there are openings for telephonists, clerks, mess stewards or medical orderlies.
She said no, she wanted to be a pilot and that was that.
A week later the recruiter called back to say, actually, there might be something.
They were experimenting with taking women into trade training.
“I said no, I want to be a pilot. My mum said: ‘don’t be so silly, it’s a foot in the door,’’’ and her mum was right, it turned out to be a great decision.
She was a duck to water, passing her electrical trade exam with a distinguished pass, and joining No. 1 Maintenance Depot at Woodbourne.
She was the only woman in the electrical trade, and she had a uniform issue to solve.
“In those days pantyhose weren’t a thing and I wore a brown dust coat, bloomers, suspenders, stockings and a skirt. One day I had to go up the ladder in the Bristol Freighter. After a while a crowd gathered beneath and an officer came along to find out why. I was ordered down and had to wear flight suits after that.’’
She also persisted with flying and learned to fly privately at Omaka in a Piper Cub, although ultimately being a pilot wasn't for her.
After three years at Woodbourne, she had been promoted to temporaray corporal and was keen, with the support of her superiors, to go on a mechanics course as this was the best way to advance her career.
But the RNZAF said no, it was not for her. Around this time, she’d met Sergeant George Gardiner, they’d married and their first son was on his way.
After having two boys she tried to return to uniform, but was told no.
That RNZAF training came in handy however, and she picked up civilian work using her skills, ending up working on the electrical systems on the Anzac Frigate project.
She's now retired to Invercargill.
“When I look back, I wouldn’t change a thing,’’ Cheryl says.
“I guess it seems chauvinistic in some ways but that’s how it was. The guys I worked with at Woodbourne were highly protective of me and like a family. If anyone affronted me, they dealt with it.’’
We’re glad you joined and called by Corporal Butt.
Thank you for your service!
📸Cheryl is in the back row on the right. Group. No. 65 Airwoman recruit course RNZAF Base Wigram 1969. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you, an excellent telling of some history.
A great story. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you Cheryl from me too. I love hearing stories from about the women that went before me. I joined in 1995 and I’m still serving as an Aircraft Technician. Women like you paved the way.
Awesome story my first flight from Whenuapai to Christchurch was in a Bristol 1976
Yep, we had one girl on our recruit course (Jan 1975) who also wanted to be a pilot, had all the right academic qualifications but still not allowed :-(
Thank you for blazing a trail for those who followed. Former armourer here.
I love hearing these stories!! Thank you!
Interesting. My dad was a pilot - wing commander.
My 14yr old granddaughter is in the Air Cadets, already understanding her career choices through the Airforce. Couldn't be more happier. I will show her this article. Thank you🤗
Had the privilege of going to school with Cheryl. She was also a mighty speedy runner in those days. Hi Cheryl from Paula Holding :)
As an ex-Air Force veteran, thanks for sharing this inspiring story...🥰
An enjoyable read and what determination.
Fantastic best wishes from the RNZAFA Canterbury branch 👏
Thank you for your service Ma’am….Respect 🇳🇿🇳🇿
Great story Cheryl, thank goodness times have changed, thanks to the members like your self 👍
An awesome career ,good on you for joining up from a veteran
View more comments