The Former RNZAF Base Hobsonville

[Dave Homewood]

A few weeks ago Peter Wheeler and I went for a drive around former RNZAF Base Hobsonville, to see the changes made since the once wide green scape of the airfield has been converted into a residential landscape with no backyards.

Like Wigram, every time I visit Hobsonville it gets less and less like the once fantastic and proud military base it once was. What was one of the most historic airfields in New Zealand is fast becoming just another Auckland suburb like all the others. 


The entrance to the main road in, Buckley Avenue, where you used to go down to the Main Gate, is now unrecognisable.

[Dave Homewood]

The former PERSEL Barracks are about to be demolished apparently


The old Headquarters Building which will be preserved


The Sunderland Lounge, which will be preserved


The old NCO's Barracks, apparently scheduled for demolition originally but now saved abd soon to be restored as apartments?

[Dave Homewood]

What is, or was, in this building? Cool sign. This is on the right as you approach the road back up from the wet apron to the rest of the base. That "up road" is now two way on lights and the old "down road on the southern side of the apron is gone!!

[Dave Homewood]

The site of our old No. 1 Technical Training School barracks. There used to be three blocks, Meteor Block, Hudson Block and Ventura Block. One has been removed to Whenuapai I believe, I cannot recall which was which now. I think we lived in Meteor Block.


The old Airman's Mess with the red roof, which cooked the best food in the RNZAF for us lowly airmen.


The Sunderland Lounge on the right and the Airman's Club (Baggies Bar) in the background

[Dave Homewood]

One of the new schools in orange

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Ah....capitalism/real estate/property developers, eh?

[raymond]

Ahhhh the old Cpls club where provo's cars were blown up and motor bikes ridden over the roof!