Museums

This page contains images from visits to a variety of New Zealand Aviation Museums. Remember - the page contains a few samples (the actual number of images available is noted) - from which you can link to the page for each museum.

Ashburton Aviation Museum:

Ashburton Airport: Opened in 1991, this museum has a varied collection with a good reputation - aircraft include Vampire (FB.5 & T.11), Harvard IIa (AT6), Devon C-1, Porterfield 35W, and a variety of gliders. A number of aero engines are also on display. Ashburton was the site of a WWII RNZAF EFTS station.

Vampire T.11 Bomb and Trolley Devon C-1 Porterfield RR Merlin Cropmaster

For more information, and pictures (17 images) - click here.



Auckland Museum:

War Memorial Building, The Domain, Auckland: not much in the way of aircraft - just two in fact. But this is where I saw my first Spitfire - a bubble canopy MK XVI, and one of the few Mitsubishi A6M5's on display. The display areas have recently been renovated providing world-class exhibitions, which are well worth a visit.

foyer A6M3 Mk.XVI restoration sanctuary exterior

For more information, and pictures (11 images) - click here.



Ferrymead Aeronautical Society:

Ferrymead, Christchurch:This is one I've wanted to visit for a long time. The Ferrymead Aeronautical society have a varied collection ranging from a Vickers Viscount through Hudson III, DH100, LC-47H, B-170 Freighter , and a Mosquito restoration project (a composite FB.6 using two former RNZAF aircraft).

LC-47H Various entrance Mosquito Hudson Fordson Refueller

For more information, and pictures (16 images) - click here.



Museum Of Transport And Technology

Western Springs, Auckland: There's always a museum you remember from your childhood - I visited this one when I was around ten or eleven, and the first thing I saw was the Lancaster. Today MOTAT has two sites - the original campus at Western Springs, and the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield. Well worth a visit.

Hudson Rapide Solent Lancaster Electra Vampire

For more information, and pictures (15 images) - click here.



New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum

Wanaka: Rather than do a seperate listing, you can check out their site. For more information, and a real treat of a website, click here: http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/welcome/welcome.htm



RNZAF Museum (Air Force World)

Wigram, Christchurch: This place is just awesome - I would thoroughly recommend a visit - the photos don't do it justice, but I hope they tempt you into going - please do, I think these folks deserve the support. Wigram is the former RNZAF base in Christchurch, and remains the home for the RNZAF museum. Check out these images and see if they tempt you.

A-4 Avro 626 Devon Beaver Mk.XVI O-2a

For more information, and pictures (12 images) - click here.



Southward's Car Museum

Paraparaumu: Not really a plane museum - but they do have an ex-RNZAF Vampire, a DH82, and a couple of the replicas from the 60's movie 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'. Even with so few planes, its still worth a visit. I was especially impressed by the 'Gangster' car - complete with bullet holes.

Bleriot Vampire Cars Vehicles 1915 Stutz Cars

For more information, and pictures (6 images) - click here.



Taranaki Aviation Transport and Technology Museum

SH3, New Plymouth: A general Technology Museum which features an excellent aviation section. Displays include a Harvard, parts of an Oxford wreck, Flying Flea, and considerable memorabilia. Well worth checking out!

AT-6 Oxford Turret AT-6 Flying Flea Fire Vehicle Brewster

For more information, and pictures (13 images) - click here.



Others worth checking out which I haven't managed to visit yet:


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