Museum of Aviation, Paraparaumu

[flyjoe180]

Today was a nice day for a drive, so for something different and to get away from 737's and Dash 8's etc, I drove to Paraparaumu. There was some gliding and flying going on as you would expect on a lovely Sunday arvo. I decided to take a closer look at the control tower. I noticed the small building opposite the tower, and saw that it was in fact a "Museum of Aviation". If I hadn't ventured up the road to the tower I would have missed it.

So I popped in for a look. I was instantly greeted by a friendly couple, Mr Graham, and Mrs Joan Jackson. They are two of many enthusiasts who look after this impressive little museum, and are very knowledgable about the history of PP Aerodrome. I was promptly told that the building in which the museum is housed, is in fact the old Meteorological Bureau building.

Anyway, here are some photos:

Outside the tower opposite the museum are two plaques on one memorial. The first is a memorial plaque for the loss of ZK-AKX, a Loadestar which crashed about 5km NE of Waikanae on approach to Paraparaumu 18 March 1949.


The second is a memorial for DC-3 ZK-AQT which crashed at Raumati Beach on approach to Paraparaumu on 22 May 1954.


This collection of medals and portrait photo was donated by the family of FLTLT Eric David Vallance RNZAF, who passed away in 2006. There are many such items donated by the families of former servicemen in the museum.

[flyjoe180]

This is the original propeller from Will Scotland's Caudron aeroplane, and below is the plaque which is at the bottom right of the top photo

[flyjoe180]

The museum is home to a vast array of model aircraft, which can be seen in the following photos. There was even a display of models for every aircraft that participated in the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race. Fantastic. Unfortunately the elderly couple who were showing me around were staying open only to facilitate my curiosity, so I had to pass on a photo of that display.

This Beaver was built by an Air Force pilot (RAF I believe) in Cyprus, and it is in complete original condition. It can still fly so I am told, and has been simply cleaned up and hung from the ceiling. It is apparently 40+ years old!


Some of the other models that adorn the museum.

[flyjoe180]

There is a NZ MOT Calibration Flight display. The Calibration Flight used Fokker F27 Friendships, and went around ensuring the integrity of beacons and nav aids all over the pacific and in NZ.

Here's a map:


A Calibration Flight Navigator's console


Some of the equipment used for calibration. The one on the left is for ILS, the other for a VOR.

[flyjoe180]

This radio was discovered on a farm during a school trip by two boys, and retrieved by them and donated to the museum. It is the radio equipment from ZK-AKX, the Lodestar which is depicted in the plaque at the start of this thread. Amazing.

[flyjoe180]

OK dudes, this one is of an aeroplane belonging to a Mr Arthur Shaef, a Wellington photographer, flying off Lyall Bay in mid January 1911. The shed in the background is of course the location of Rongotai Airport (now Wellington Airport).

[flyjoe180]

The strange contraption to the right of the above photo, on the sideof the cabinet, is a weather balloon data collector/transmitter, $200 a piece built in Norway so I am told. They end up on farms and in the sea, and are considered expendable.

[flyjoe180]

Hands up who has seen the famous painitng or print of Johnnie Houlton shooting down a Ju88 on D-Day? The painting is explained by the following diagram. Johnnie Houlton himself drew this to explain his combat that morning. (it doesnt do it justice through photobucket as it has shrunk and you cant read it properly. If anyone would like a copy I can email it to you in its original size)

[flyjoe180]

And that's all I got unfortunately. There was much more to see, I just ran out of time.

The Museum of Aviation can be accessed by the same entrance road that you use to get to the Kapiti Aero Club. Admission is FREE. It is located in the small building opposite the old tower.

The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays from 2 PM to 4 PM (or later if you're an enthusiatic pain in the arse like me who won't leave).

They are also seeking members, the membership is $20/year, and they have monthly coffee/tea gatherings where aviation experience from the past is shared by way of talks from former aircrew , engineers, and historians.

Thanks again to Graham and Joan Jackson for their hospitality and warm greeting, and for your guided tour of the displays.

[Dave Homewood]

That looks like a really interesting place, thanks for the photos and info Joe. It's good to see one of the lower profile museums getting some publicity.