The first foundations were laid in 1917 by the Canterbury Aviation Company – that was beginning of what became our Air Force.
It was taken down for quite a few months after the February earthquake for safety reasons, but was a welcome sight when it was returned to us.
At 45 Harvard Avenue is our Air Force Museum. It has free admission!
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand holds the national collection of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The Museum’s role is to preserve and present the history of New Zealand’s military aviation through its collection. The collection is very diverse and includes objects covering the early days of New Zealand military aviation both prior to World War I and during this major conflict; the interwar years which saw the formation of the RNZAF in 1937; New Zealanders who fought in the RAF and in other Allied air forces during World War II; the RNZAF’s campaign in the Pacific, and the post-war period to the present day. The collection also includes objects from former enemy forces. The collection is owned by the RNZAF Museum Trust Board. – from the Air Force Museum website.
