Air Force Museum, Christchurch
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand, previously known as The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, is an important cultural and historical establishment situated in Wigram, Christchurch. It was officially inaugurated on April 1, 1987, as part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) 50th-anniversary festivities. The museum's purpose is to preserve and present New Zealand's military aviation history for commemoration, education, inspiration, and enjoyment.
Being the custodian of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's national collection, the museum houses a wide range of artifacts covering New Zealand's military aviation history. This includes the early stages of pre-World War I, the interwar period leading to the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937, and New Zealanders' involvement in the Royal Air Force and other Allied air forces during World War II. Noteworthy is the comprehensive nature of the collection, encompassing items from former enemy forces, aircraft, engines, significant objects, textiles, art, and memorabilia, as well as an extensive archive of papers and photographs.
The museum provides visitors with a distinctive experience through guided tours of its 'behind the scenes' areas, including the Reserve Collection hangar, offering a close-up encounter with aviation history. Recent additions include the restoration project of an Airspeed Oxford, completed in February 2016, which is now open for public viewing. Another highlight is the Mosquito Flight Simulator, offering an immersive experience of Allied bombing missions against German battleships in Norwegian fiords.
With its diverse collection and community programs, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand honors the nation's military aviation legacy and motivates upcoming generations.
Being the custodian of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's national collection, the museum houses a wide range of artifacts covering New Zealand's military aviation history. This includes the early stages of pre-World War I, the interwar period leading to the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937, and New Zealanders' involvement in the Royal Air Force and other Allied air forces during World War II. Noteworthy is the comprehensive nature of the collection, encompassing items from former enemy forces, aircraft, engines, significant objects, textiles, art, and memorabilia, as well as an extensive archive of papers and photographs.
The museum provides visitors with a distinctive experience through guided tours of its 'behind the scenes' areas, including the Reserve Collection hangar, offering a close-up encounter with aviation history. Recent additions include the restoration project of an Airspeed Oxford, completed in February 2016, which is now open for public viewing. Another highlight is the Mosquito Flight Simulator, offering an immersive experience of Allied bombing missions against German battleships in Norwegian fiords.
With its diverse collection and community programs, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand honors the nation's military aviation legacy and motivates upcoming generations.
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Air Force Museum on Map
Sight Name: Air Force Museum
Sight Location: Christchurch, New Zealand (See walking tours in Christchurch)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Christchurch, New Zealand (See walking tours in Christchurch)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Christchurch, New Zealand
Create Your Own Walk in Christchurch
Creating your own self-guided walk in Christchurch is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Statues and Memorials Tour
Although Christchurch is not very large, it has a wealth of public art heritage. Although ravaged by a powerful earthquake in 2011, which caused severe damage to many local attractions, Christchurch nonetheless has retained much of its charm and has a lot to offer visitors in terms of sightseeing. Indeed, there is no shortage of beautiful buildings, parks, gardens and other places of interest... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Christchurch Introduction Walking Tour
Captain James Cook was not the first person to discover New Zealand. There is evidence that the Christchurch area was visited by groups of moa-hunting people as early as 1250 AD.
They were followed by the Waitaha from the east coast of the North Island in the 16th century. In a series of wars Waitaha were displaced by the Ngati Mamoe, who in turn were conquered by the Ngai Tahu. The Europeans... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
They were followed by the Waitaha from the east coast of the North Island in the 16th century. In a series of wars Waitaha were displaced by the Ngati Mamoe, who in turn were conquered by the Ngai Tahu. The Europeans... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles