Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
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The
Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum is primarily a museum of the
Royal New Zealand Air Force, its predecessor, the
New Zealand Permanent Air Force and New Zealand squadrons of the
Royal Air Force. The main site is at its first base,
Wigram in
Christchurch, in the
South Island. A second site is at the modern base of
Ohakea, near
Bulls, in the
North Island. Both sites contain other exhibits such as ground vehicles, AV displays, flight simulators and models. The Wigram site contains a significant collection of aviation painting.
Other collections of RNZAF aircraft are at the Museum of Transport and Technology at Western Springs, Auckland, the Alpine Fighter Museum at Wanaka and with the New Zealand War Birds.
Aircraft
At Wigram
- :New Zealand used Austers for army co-operation work in the immediate post-war period. They were fitted with floats and, in this case, skis. This aircraft accompanied the Hillary Fuchs Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Five of the types in the collection. These were photographed during a 42 Squadron flypast in the 1950s
- :A development of the Avro Tutor biplane trainer, the Prefect featured a third cockpit with scarf ring, and was designed to enable training of any aircrew position. This aircraft was restored to flying condition in the 1980s.
Avro Anson:Developed from a mailplane as a maritime patrol aircraft, New Zealand acquired a small number of Ansons early in World War II for use as navigation trainers, supplementing the Airspeed Oxford. A small number of more advanced model Ansons were used for communications work after the war.
BAC Strikemaster 167:An armed version of the Jet Provost trainer, itself a jet version of the radial-engine Provost, the Strikemaster, or 'Blunty' was intended for COIN operations, but used by the RNZAF as an advanced trainer in the 1970s and 1980s.
:A ubiquitous transport, New Zealand acquired UH1Ds in 1965, and subsequently added UH1Hs. New Zealand Iroquois pilots have served in Vietnam, the Sinai, Antarctica and East Timor.
:New Zealand's first military aircraft, two Bleriots arrived in 1913, but were grounded after a pilot gave a joyride to a young lady. They were despatched to Mesopotamia on the outbreak of World War I.
:The slow but capacious freighters of the RNZAF and SAFE Air were familiar sights in the New Zealand sky for nearly 50 years. The RNZAF machines were reliable workhorse freighters and also took part in topdressing trials, flew stranded passengers across Cook Strait and travelled as far as Vietnam.
:This machine was flown by RNZAF FAC pilots attached to the United States Air Force in Vietnam, and later donated by the USAF.
:Rescued from fire training, this aircraft was stored at MoTaT before being presented to the RNZAF. It is need of major restoration.
:Manufactured in Wellington at Rongotai, the Tiger Moth was the RNZAF's primary trainer throughout World War II and formed the basis of the topdressing industry in the immediate post-war years. Many remain in flying condition.
:New Zealand's first jet fighter procured in numbers, the wooden Vampire was first used by the RNZAF in Cyprus. It survived into the early 1970s as a trainer, the DH115 being displayed in a tableau undergoing maintenance. The Alpine Fighter Collection has another RNZAF machine on loan, which it is restoring to fly.
:Replacement for the Anson, the Devon is a militarised version of the De Havilland Dove, used as a navigation and multi engine trainer. Another ex-RNZAF machine remains airworthy in private hands.
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver:Equipped to represent the aircraft that assisted Sir Edmund Hillary in the first land crossing to the South Pole since Scott. A privately-owned Beaver is also painted as this famous aircraft, the original being written off in a crash in Antarctica.
:An ex-World War II RNZAF transport, later converted by 42 Squadron as a VIP transport for use by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1956 New Zealand visit - it has been returned to this livery for display.
:Used briefly against the Japanese by No. 25 Squadron RNZAF from island bases, the Dauntless dive bomber was quickly retired in favour of the Corsair. This aircraft was shot down by the Japanese, and is displayed as it was found in the jungle.
:used by the RNZAF in action in Malaya, the Canberra was a replacement for the De Havilland Mosquito. On display is an ex Royal Australian Air Force machine displayed in RAAF colours. A genuine RNZAF machine is awaiting restoration, gifted by the Indian Air force (who acquired New Zealand's Canberras when they were retired).
:Apart from the US and the RN, New Zealand was the only World War II user of the Avenger. This aircraft is displayed as it appeared in a forward base during the Pacific war. In the post war period it was used for target towing, communications and aerial topdressing trials.
:A STOL transport developed from an airliner, New Zealand's Andovers saw service with the UN on the Iran-Iraq border and in Somalia as well as flying through out the South Pacific.
:SH-2Fs were leased as WASP replacements aboard the RNZN's Anzac class frigates, until SH-2Gs were delivered. They saw service in East Timor and helped catch poachers in the sub Antarctic waters.
:New Zealand's only modern aircraft at the time of Japanese attacks, Hudsons were used to hunt for German surface raiders after the RNZAF's Wellingtons were committed to Europe. On the outbreak of war with Japan, aircraft went forward to operate as patrol bombers from Fiji. They remained active through out the South Pacific until replaced by Lockheed Venturas. This aircraft is restored in its early war colour scheme when operated by No. 4 Squadron RNZAF
:New Zealand purchased Skyhawks in 1969 and operated them for 30 years, updating the aircraft with APG 66 radar and F-16 avionics. All ex-RNZAF aircraft were sold, the Christchurch machine being an early US model, converted to the standard of an A4K in the early 1970s. Another TA4K, built entirely from spare parts to standards of the Kahu Skyhawks when retired, is displayed at Ohakea.
:Used by the RNZAF as a trainer from 1941 until 1976, two Harvards are preserved at Wigram, one in camouflage adopted after the Japanese attack, another, as gate guardian, in an all-yellow scheme.
:The Corsair's replacement during 1945 as the RNZAF's main fighter in the Pacific, Mustangs arrived too late to see active service, but were used in the immediate post-war period by part-time Territorial AIr Force squadrons. This machine is displayed as one of the Auckland Squadron. Another, in Canterbury colours, flies in private hands.
:New Zealand's indigenous military trainer, the CT4A was bought by the Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, before the RNZAF ordered the slightly upgraded B. Highly aerobatic, cheap and reliable, the type continues in production; more modern CT4s have been the replacement for the RNZAF, Thailand and many of the private contractors who took over RAAF primary training. Many fly in private hands.
:Painted in the colours of a WWI New Zealand ace.
:Displayed under camouflage netting and painted as a No. 485 Squadron RNZAF aircraft operating from inside Germany immediately prior to VE day.
:Used by the RNZN from Leander and Anzac frigates, the Wasp was New Zealand's first naval helicopter.
At Ohakea
Under restoration for the Museum
- :New Zealand's first Oxfords were delivered immediately before World War II. Two hundred and twenty-nine were used for multi-engine and gunnery training during that conflict. This machine, on long term loan from Canada, was used post war as an Airspeed Consul. A privately-owned ex-RNZAF Oxford is also being restored to flying condition.
:The RNZAF deployed 297 Kittyhawks in the Pacific and claimed 99 Japanese aircraft destroyed. Restoration of this aircraft is nearly complete; built as a P40F, it has been converted to P40E standard in an early war livery.
:New Zealand operated 39 of the giant Vildebeest and 60 of the practically identical Vincent biplanes for coastal defence from 1935. They also played a role in aerial photography of the country. At the outbreak of war the Vildebeests and Vincents were converted to cumbersome pilot trainers, but the threat of German raiders and later the Japanese saw several briefly rearmed. This aircraft is a composite of airframes recovered from crash sites and dumps. Another Vildebeest/Vincent is being restored in Auckland.
Aircraft formerly held by the Museum
- BAC Strikemaster several stored for trade.
- de Havilland Vampire several spare machines have been traded, one to Indonesia for the Mustang. Another is on loan to the Alpine Fighter Collection where it is being restored to flying condition.
- Hawker Hind One of the Subritzky family's three Hinds was displayed on loan.
- Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (traded)
- Vought F4U Corsair paid for by Walt Disney for assistance in filming the Rescuers, the Corsair was a night fighter, not similar to those used by the RNZAF and so was traded for the Sopwith Pup)
- Porterfield? fate unknown
- Miles Whitney Straight? Fate unknown
Other collections
A large collection of former RNZAF aircraft is on display at the
Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. Some airworthy aircraft are with the Alpine Fighter Museum at Wanaka. The New Zealand War Birds members fly the following;
External link
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