Events
Orion Open Days
See work behind the scenes
Daily Tour
A fun way to explore the Museum together
Museum Hunts
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
Events
See work behind the scenes
A fun way to explore the Museum together
More to explore
LAST DAY TOMORROW! The hangar doors will be open from 10am tomorrow for NZ4203's last day on public display.
We had a bumper day today and we'd like to say a huge thank you to all the people who came along and to our fantastic guides and cadets who gave up their Saturday to help.
We’re hoping for an even bigger day Sunday – last visitors will be heading out to the hangar at 3pm.
From Monday the aircraft will go into long term storage – so please get along if you can on Sunday to have a look.
If you'd like to support our museum you can donate online at airforcemuseum.co.nz/make-a-donation/
And if you can't be there tomiorrow don't despair - we have an ongoing exhibition and short film about the history of the aircraft upstairs in our Cochrane Gallery.
NZ4203 was built by Lockheed in California in 1966 and flew for 54 years in the RNZAF.
The aircraft flew 27,000 hours on anti-submarine, surveillance and search and rescue missions all over the world.
Come see this extraordinary aircraft and learn about its amazing history – all for free at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
#extraordinaryaircraft #christchurchnz #rnzafpastandpresent #canterburyplanespotters #wigramskies ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you Team for making her available for us to see. Good luck with the fund raising.
Luke Ethan
Who better to hangar about with today than NZ4203?
Our RNZAF Lockheed P-3K2 will be entertaining visitors from 10am today at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
Visits are free, car parking is free (we've 37 hectares of overflow parking if it is busy) and we've got a friendly team of guides who can answer any questions you have.
NZ4203 flew for 27,000 hours and was one of a fleet of six Orions that performed heroic service for New Zealand.
The P-3K2 is a beautiful piece of aviation history and will be on public display today and tomorrow from 10am until 3pm each day.
After that the aircraft will be going into storage so get along while you can.
We do have an ongoing exhibition about the aircraft in our Cochrane Gallery and we have P-3K2 merchandise for sale so there is plenty of opportunity for you to learn about and celebrate the might#canterburyplanespotterrse#rnzafpastandpresentan#christchurchnzs#extraordinaryaircraftryaircraft ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Fogged in but it doesn't matter!
I've been to plenty of Warbirds over Wanaka & Omaka airshows and still rate the Orion as one of the best displays along with the Iroquois. I know time marches on & progress must take place but the new replacements just don't have the charisma & presence as the old tried & true.
Really enjoyed it, even more than I expected to be
that is how I remember Wigram. LOL.
Yep.. I'm always visiting the Wigram Air Force Museum But today's Orion Open Days visit was extra special.. I went and payed my respects to Orion NZ4203. So beautifully strong and steadfast yet graceful all at the same time. It was an honor.. I look forward to seeing Orion NZ4203 upon her completion and settled into her new lifelong home. Thank you Air Force Museum of New Zealand Loved the fantail in the hangar.. it was my mum visiting too. She loved aircraft like myself. ❤✈🖤
When I left 5 sqn in May 1984 the P3's had about 6000-7000 hours on them at that time from memory.
How long will it be in storage for?
Awesome job team, so looking forward to things as they evolve. Was great to see so many people out enjoying the open day today and the rest of the museum.
Just loved hearing the Orion overhead, had that special whistle blended with the roar of the engines!😍
What a treat. Thank you Air Force Museum of New Zealand for opening this uo for us all to see.
Pretty cool to see the P3 today.
Will be there tomoro, can't wait!
looking forward to seeing it today 👍
I'll be there tomorrow
Love those paddles
I'm in today
Awesome day
View more comments
Who's got the most famous grey snout in Christchurch?
NZ4203 has!
The delicate nose of our Lockheed is in demand for Me and the P-3 shots today, and everyone is warmly invited.
What could be better than a picture with the mighty Lockheed Orion P-3K2?
Our historic No.3 hangar is open from 10am until 3pm today, Saturday and Sunday.
Entry is free, car parking is free and the Orion is lovely to see.
We've also got a P-3 exhibition upstairs in our Cochrane Gallery and plenty of P-3 merch#extraordinaryaircraftr#lockheedmartinh#p3orionn#christchurchnzstchurchnz ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Would be keen to buy merch with an image of the manufacturers plate on it btw.... the one in the cockpit between the door and the circuit breaker panels.
I got to come in and see her today on my visit to chch, was fantastic seeing her up close and personal after seeing her fly past over Timaru on the farewell tour, fantastic job team getting her set up on display, being able to walk all the way around her was awesome 👏 great to see such a massive turnout as well!
The only thing better would be a photo with the C130 or even the Andover but I am a truckie through and through
Looking forward to to the t-shirts
AWESOME day
Shirley Lena Carroll we should take Dylan
Tamra Lee
See u Sunday !!!!
View more comments
Attention! Lockheed Orion NZ4203 is open to visitors today - visits are free and you're welcome to come and have a look.
We've got the cadets from No. 17, 18 and 88 Squadrons on duty to show you around, plenty of car parks (and 37 hectares of overflow parking!) and the weather is looking good.
We've also got our brand-new P-3 exhibition upstairs in the Cochrane Gallery so you can learn all about the history of this extraordinary aircraft as well as seeing it in its glory. #p3orion #aircadetsnzo#extraordinaryaircraftrdinaryaircraft ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Air Cadets were a credit to their organisation. Very polite and helpful, thank you.
How much longer today are you open for visitors?