New History Gallery Opens
By Dave Clearwater
WWII memorabilia
After months of planning and construction, an official ceremony heralded the public opening of the Air Force Museum’s new history gallery: Horizon to Horizon – the Flight Path of our Air Force.
The new gallery has been designed to replace the original History Hall, which was constructed more than 20 years ago. The $750,000 internal makeover has seen all previous displays removed and replaced with modern exhibits. The main feature of the gallery is a central timeline which gives a chronology of the RNZAF. The new display cases feature fascinating personal stories of New Zealand’s airmen and airwomen, as well as showing off some of the Museum’s many wonderful artifacts and wartime memorabilia.
There are four audiovisual presentations within the gallery, one of which is mounted in a specially constructed three-quarter-scale replica RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft, which was built on-site by Museum staff and volunteers.
To complete the experience, a full size replica Sopwith Pup World War I fighter aircraft, rebuilt by staff and volunteers at the Museum, has been mounted in an 8x10 metre aperture – specially cut in the ground floor ceiling. Visitors will have the opportunity to view this unique aircraft from all angles as they walk through the gallery.
History gallery's new display cases
It is believed that the opening of the new Horizon to Horizon gallery will greatly enhance the visitor experience and ensure that the Air Force Museum continues to be one of New Zealand’s top tourist and family attractions. It will also serve to emphasise to all New Zealanders that the Museum will continue to preserve and present the history of our Air Force, from its birthplace at Wigram, Christchurch.