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Aircraft

Welcome to New Zealand’s premier military aviation collection.

Among our extensive collection of large objects, clothing and textiles, memorabilia, and archives, are over 30 historically-significant aircraft. On this page you will find profiles on each of our aircraft, from World War One replicas to fast jets and helicopters. Most are genuine ex-RNZAF aircraft, while others are representative of the types operated by the RNZAF, or by New Zealanders in service with other air forces.

Aermacchi MB-339CB

The MB-339 provided RNZAF pilots with their introduction to fast jet operations, bridging the gap between the CT/4E Airtrainer, in which they had completed their initial pilot training.

Aerospace CT/4B Airtrainer

The CT/4 Airtrainer was the primary pilot training aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for nearly 40 years.

Airspeed Oxford

The RNZAF operated 299 Oxfords in all between 1938-1954 – more than nearly any other aircraft type.

Auster Mk.7c

The Auster Mk.c NZ1707 braved freezing conditions supporting the RNZAF Antarctic Flight in Commonwealth as part of the Trans-Atlantic Expedition of 1956-58.

Avro 626

This aircraft is one of four Avro 626s originally purchased by the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (precursor to the RNZAF) as training aircraft in 1935.

Avro 652A Anson Mk.I

Used in New Zealand RNZAF in 1942-1943 for general reconnaissance and advanced navigational training until 1952.

BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk.88

The RNZAF acquired 10 British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) Strikemaster aircraft in 1972 to replace the De Havilland Vampire

Bell 47G-3B-1 Sioux

Perhaps best recognised as the helicopter that featured in the Korean War-based TV series ‘M*A*S*H’, the Sioux was the first rotary aircraft to enter military service in New Zealand.

Bell UH-1H Iroquois

The Iroquois is one of the world’s most iconic helicopters, famous for its extensive role in the Vietnam War and distinctive ‘whock-whock’ sound.

Bell UH-1H Iroquois ‘NZ3800’

The Iroquois is one of the world’s most iconic helicopters, famous for its extensive role in the Vietnam War and distinctive ‘whock-whock’ sound.

Bleriot XI-2 ‘Britannia’

This aircraft is a replica of ‘Britannia’, New Zealand’s first military aircraft.

Boeing 727-100C

In the late 1970s the New Zealand Government identified the need to supplement No. 40 Squadron’s fleet of Lockheed Hercules with additional aircraft for long range transport operations.

Bristol 170 Freighter Mk.31M

With its bulbous nose, clamshell doors and slab sides, there are few aircraft as distinctive as the Bristol Freighter, a solid workhorse which made its mark in the conflict zones of South-East Asia from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Cessna 0-2A-2E Skymaster

The Cessna O-2A was flown by a number of RNZAF pilots seconded to the United States Air Force (USAF) in South Vietnam.

Consolidated Catalina

The RNZAF operated 56 Consolidated PBY-5 and Boeing PB2B-1 Catalina aircraft from 1943 until 1953.

Curtis P-40E Kittyhawk

The P-40 Kittyhawk was the backbone of RNZAF fighter squadrons from 1942 to the middle of 1944.

De Havilland Canada Beaver

The RNZAF’s only Beaver was purchased in 1956 for the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

De Havilland D.H.100 Vampire F.B. Mk.5

The RNZAF originally purchased 18 FB.5 single-seater Vampires in 1951 to equip No. 14 Squadron at Ohakea.

De Havilland D.H.104 Devon

The British-made de Havilland Devon was the RNZAF’s primary navigation trainer for nearly 30 years.

De Havilland D.H.115 Vampire T.Mk.II

The Vampire T.11 was the first aircraft type in RNZAF service to be equipped with ejection seats.

De Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth Mk.II

The RNZAF operated a total of 335 Tiger Moths from 1939 to 1956. They were used almost exclusively for basic flying training, and was the principal initial pilot trainer during World War Two.

Douglas C-47 Dakota

The C-47 was the first transport aircraft to serve with New Zealand’s armed forces when it entered service with No. 40 Squadron RNZAF in 1943.

English Electric Canberra B.Mk.20

The RNZAF Canberras saw active service in the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation between 1964 and 1966, operating from Singapore and Borneo.

Grumman TBF-1 Avenger

The RNZAF received 48 Grumman Avengers in 1943-44 to equip its two torpedo bomber squadrons, Nos. 30 and 31, both of which carried out operational tours in the Pacific during World War Two.

Hawker Siddeley Andover C.1

One of the RNZAF’s core workhorses of the 1980s and 1990s, the Andover was a versatile aircraft which saw service around the world, from VIP transport to peacekeeping operations.

Kaman Seasprite SH-2F

Four SH-2F aircraft served with the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1997 to 2001 as interim aircraft pending the delivery of the new Seasprite SH-2G helicopters.

Lockheed C-130H Hercules

The Lockheed Hercules first went into service in 1956 and has gone on to become the world’s most successful tactical troop carrying and cargo aircraft.

Lockheed Hudson MKIII

Lockheed Hudson MKIII formed a major part of the RNZAF's operational capabilities in maritime search and strike operation roles.

Lockheed P-3K2 Orion

The RNZAF took delivery of five P-3B Orions in 1966 (NZ4201 – NZ4205) to replace its fleet of Short Sunderlands. In 1985 a sixth aircraft, an ex-RAAF P-3B, was purchased and given tail number NZ4206.

McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk – NZ6205

NZ6205 was manufactured at the Douglas aircraft factory in California in 1969 and arrived in Auckland aboard the USS Okinawa on 17 May 1970.

McDonnell Douglas TA-4K Skyhawk – NZ6254

The Skyhawks served with No. 75 Squadron at Ohakea, and later, with No. 2 Squadron at RAN Nowra in Australia, as a multi-role aircraft capable of conducting fighter ground attack, battlefield interdiction, air-to-air and maritime strike operations.

North American Harvard MKIII

Originally reserved for advanced pilot training during World War Two, the Harvard later became the RNZAF’s principle initial pilot training aircraft.

North American P-51 Mustang

The RNZAF received 30 Mustangs in 1945 from the United States as part of the planned replacement of the Corsair fighter aircraft.

Schleicher KA 4 Rhonlerche II Glider

This glider, once owned and operated by the Air Training Corps (ATC), is one of only four examples on public display around the world.

Sopwith Pup

Replica displayed as an aircraft flown by New Zealander Captain Harold F. Beamish DSC, with No. 3 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War.

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.XVIE

Although the RNZAF did not operate Spitfires in its own right, many hundreds of New Zealanders piloted them while serving with the RAF during World War Two.

Vickers Vildebeest Type 277 Mk.III

The Vildebeest was a very large 2-3 seat all-metal biplane, typical of those produced in Britain during the inter-war period. 39 Vildebeests served with the RNZAF between 1935-44.

Westland Wasp HAS.1

The Wasp was developed in the early 1960s by British aerospace company Westland Helicopters, and designed primarily as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft which operated from combat ships.

Opening Hours
Open daily 9.30am to 4.30pm
(except Christmas Day, 25 December)

Free entry for New Zealanders & people living in New Zealand

Location
45 Harvard Ave, Wigram,
Christchurch, New Zealand

Phone: 03 371 9600

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