Two iconic aircraft with decades of New Zealand aviation history behind them are making their final landing — this time at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch.
The museum has acquired a de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (NZ662) and a North American Harvard (NZ1015), both formerly part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Historic Flight. The aircraft, now retired from flying, will be transported by road from RNZAF Base Ohakea to Christchurch next week to become permanent additions to the museum’s national collection.
Supplied / Tiger Moth NZ662
Collections Manager Darren Hammond said both planes have rich histories and have played important roles in pilot training and public aviation displays.
“Harvard NZ1015 is particularly important because we believe it is the longest serving aircraft of its type,” Hammond said. “It has been in RNZAF ownership since it arrived in September 1942 and its flying career spanned 76 years.”
Hammond said the aircraft will be carefully conserved and put on public display. “They can be enjoyed by the public as significant reminders of our aviation history.”
Built at the Morris Motors factory in Cowley, England, Tiger Moth NZ662 was shipped to New Zealand in July 1940. It served with No.2 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) at Whenuapai and No.4 EFTS at New Plymouth before being transferred to the civil register in 1946.
Converted into an agricultural topdresser in 1951, the aircraft changed hands several times and was exported to Fiji in 1965 before returning to New Zealand in 1973. It rejoined the RNZAF in 1985 and was fully restored to flying condition, with its first post-rebuild flight in January 1987.
Supplied / Harvard NZ1015
Harvard NZ1015 arrived in New Zealand in 1942 and was assembled at Hobsonville before joining No.2 Fighter Operational Training Unit at Ohakea. After World War II, it continued to serve with the Territorial Air Force and later in the RNZAF training fleet until 1973, when it was placed in storage at RNZAF Base Wigram.
The aircraft joined the RNZAF Historic Flight in 1979 and was a regular sight at air shows until it was damaged in a forced landing in 2018. It has not flown since.
Tiger Moth NZ662 will go on public display in the near future. Harvard NZ1015 will be exhibited once repairs to the aircraft are complete.
Both aircraft will be preserved as part of New Zealand’s aviation legacy for future generations.
