Featured Exhibition
P-3 Orion
The exhibition includes a scale model of the aircraft dating back to 1968, and a 13-minute documentary featuring interviews with pilots and crew, and a yachtie rescued by the aircraft back in 1994.
P-3 Orion: The story of an extraordinary aircraft is not to be missed!
Short Talk Series
Bringing history to life using restored World War Two radios
If you’re curious, love history and technology and want to rediscover a whole world of lost skills – this is not to be missed!
Our Aircraft
Explore AircraftMore to explore
WE HAVE A WINNER! And the correct answer is to our mystery base brain teaser is .... Whenuapai.
The winner of the beautiful coffee mug is Tammy Smithgreen (Instagram).
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Happy birthday Fanshaw - 102 today!
Flight Lieutenant Henry B. Fanshaw P81109, RNZAF hero and much-loved mascot of No. 75 Squadron is celebrating his special day.
Henry lives in retirement here at the museum, but we dug out his personal file to shine some light on his extraordinary career.
Don’t worry – no bear’s privacy rights have been breached – Fanshaw has given us permission because his memory is a little hazy after all these years.
Born on 16 May 1922, his nationality was given as Arctic and his religious affiliation is to the Church of Bears. No-next-of kin is recorded in the file but there is a reference to him being a father of 10.
He joined the RNZAF in 1939 and trained as a pilot from January until December 1939 in Canada. A pass for flying training is recorded in his file on 1 January 1940, and he joined No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Harwell, flying Vickers Wellington bombers.
As No. 75 Squadron’s mascot, Fanshaw took part in missions over Europe and witnessed the enormous courage and sacrifice of those aviators during the war years.
He was on a refresher course in 1955 until 1957 and a jet conversion course in 1958. In 1969 he joined the US Navy as a pilot and returned to 75 Squadron on 9 July 1972.
Fanshaw served in Kuwait and on many peacetime missions, going wherever No. 75 went.
He has also seen a bit of action while off duty. There is also a New Zealand Police summons in the file, and some other mysterious (mostly kidnap) notes and references from throughout his colourful career.
He has been absent without leave many times over the years, but it appears these were all kidnappings.
Here’s to you Fanshaw!
Courageous hero, aviator extraordinaire, kidnap victim, reformed criminal, father of many and bear about town!
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He was on parade at the air combat force (2,14 & 75 Sqn) disbandment parade. I still remember the parade commander (CO 75) instructing the supply officer to ensure he made it to the chapel before we marched off.
And another photo from Timor.
He turned up in Timor in 2000 too.😀
I remember when he was at the old Ohakea Museum a few moons ago
NEW DISPLAY: Upstairs in our atrium you’ll come across a new display called Small....or far away? It just opened today!
It traces the development of recognition models and includes some intricately-made and fascinating models from our collection.
These models were an essential part of air force training because of the need to be able to identify the enemy as quickly as possible at high speeds and from a distance. Aircraft recognition was also essential to identify your friends as well as your foes!
As World War Two progressed and training ramped up, a huge number of models were required, so commercial manufacturers who had produced models for aircraft enthusiasts before the war were called in to help.
These models were made to a scale of 1:72 and this scale suited the requirements of the training.
And, to this day, 1:72 is still the most common scale for plastic model kits.
Come in and have a close look – we’ve included one mystery aircraft in the display to get you guessing – it will be worth your while!!
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Incredible reference from whoever the admin is 🫡
Do you have any photos of RNZAF Base Ohakea during 1943 to 1945?
A great mentor of mine, Mr Johnny Johnson flew in Catalinas. Here is my tribute to the RNZAF, a C130J. Almost done.
Wow! My dad William Fitzharding-Jones donated many 1:72 scale models to the museum. I hope some of his are on display as he was very precise in his model details ( having painted aircraft in the Air Force for many years).
I have to get down there again. More than 35 years since I was last at Wigram (2TTS on the Air Force Base). All changed now.
Hello, my father A.G. Patrick made some wooden model planes which my mother donated to the museum after he died. Are any of his models included in this display? Thank you so much 😊
Interesting to learn about the origin of 1:72 scale. Thanks
James Whittington 😁
t.me/+nf6nz2ZQy9kwZmI0
Nash Bolton you could offer to make some models for them!
Ben Ellis new stuff!
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Here’s a brain teaser to get your Tuesday going.
Name the RNZAF base in the picture.
Post your answer in the comments below and we will draw the winner’s name out of our flying helmet on Thursday.
The winner gets an exclusive edition of our Air Force Museum of New Zealand roundel coffee mug.
Who needs Wordle when you've got us?
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The W/Os and SNCO's Mess at Bristol Block, Whenuapai.
Whenuapai but what year?
Base Auckland Whenuapai., I’ve had a few beers in that building.
RNZAF Base Auckland ,Whenuapai
RNZAF Station Whenuapai. Main block. Contained Cpls Club, Ground floor RHS .W/O's SNCOs mess and bar. W/Sncos accommodation, in the top right two story block. Airmen's mess and kitchen. other two story blocks, Airmen's accommodation. Institute/Cinema top Storey. The Chaple was originally situated on the grass area across from the front of the garages top right. the building with the loading ramp, was the Barrack Warden ( then Flt rations) Bldg behind, with brick chimney, was the Airmen's club. ( Dick West used to be the regular barman. Sucking on his old smelly pipe) Lots of memories.
Yes definitely RNZAF Base Whenuapai
RNZAF Whenuapai
RNZAF base Whenuapai Bristol block - should have been replaced decades ago.
Must be Whenuapai as I don't really recognize it and it was one base I didn't serve on.
Audrey's barbers in that building back in the mid to late 60s.
Base Auckland - Whenuapai
Looks like Whenuapai.
RNZAF Base Auckland Whenuapai Aerodrome. Many youthful visits here when in the ATC as a youngster
WHENUAPAI ..... A few too many letters for Wordle...
That would be Whenuapai.
Whenuapai all those brutalist buildings joined up
Looks like the ESS combined mess building at Whenuapai
Looks like Whenuapai. Went there once as a Sea Cadet
I’ll go with whenuapai methinks
Whenuapai, good land.
Definitely Whenuapai
Base Whenuapai
RNZAF Whenuapai!
Whenuapai, thats the mess
Whenuapai
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