Honouring the sacrifice of brave Kiwis
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o visit to Christchurch is complete without a visit to the birthplace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in Wigram.
Today it’s the home of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand which houses millions of objects in its collection, including a Bristol Freighter which served in Vietnam, Malaya, Borneo and Thailand. Local farmer Henry Wigram donated the land in 1923 when it became clear New Zealand needed an air defence arm after WW1. David King, Communications Manager at the Museum, says it’s hoping to expand to provide space to display a Hercules and Orion as they retire from the RNZAF and take pride of place in the collection. “We’re not about glorifying war – we’re honouring the service and sacrifice of brave Kiwis,” he says.
A very popular visitor destination Around 180,000 visitors a year make their way to the old Wigram air base to explore the museum. There are about 30 permanent staff and 30 volunteers who work passionately and tirelessly restoring the old aircraft, rivet by rivet. The museum houses New Zealand’s premier collection of military aircraft, including Strikemasters, Sioux and Iroquois helicopters, Skyhawk, Kittyhawk, the Douglas C-47 Dakota which used to transport a young Queen Elizabeth around the country, and a de Havilland Vampire to name just a few. The stories of the people who flew them are displayed with photographs and memorabilia throughout the museum. The reason for the museum’s popularity is simple according to David. “It’s free, it’s a war memorial, there’s lots of parking, including for campervans, and kids love it.”
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