Where History Takes Flight
The icons of our hangar and aviation gems in our collection.
The icons of our hangar and aviation gems in our collection.
No. 30 Squadron and its servicing unit hold a significant place in RNZAF history. As one of only two Royal New Zealand Air Force units to be raised and fully equipped with Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft, the Squadron played a vital role in dive-bomber operations during the Second World War.
Arriving in Gisborne in 1943, 30 Squadron trained at Darton Field before deploying into the Pacific theatre.
Their journey, from their establishment in Gisborne through to their operational tour in Espiritu Santo (New Hebrides) and Bougainville, is brought to life inside the Museum through photographs, personal accounts, and rare aviation artefacts.
Visitors can follow the Squadron’s story and discover the contributions of the pilots, engineers, and ground crew who helped shape the region’s wartime aviation history.
Grumman Avenger NZ2505
The museum proudly features Grumman Avenger NZ2505, an aircraft with a strong historical connection to Gisborne.
Originally supplied to the United States Navy, NZ2505 became one of the first Avengers to arrive at Darton Field, the RNZAF base in Gisborne during WWII. Throughout the war, this aircraft served as a training platform for RNZAF pilots and later contributed to target towing and topdressing trials, reflecting New Zealand’s innovative use of military aircraft in peacetime aviation.
Fully restored by dedicated volunteers, the aircraft is not in flying condition, but its engine can run, and it retains the ability to taxi and fold its wings, offering visitors a rare and immersive look at the engineering behind one of WWII’s most recognisable naval aircraft.
Early Aviation History in Gisborne
Long before wartime operations, aviation pioneers recognised that Gisborne needed its own airfield.
In 1930, community leaders and aviation advocates identified the need for a dedicated airport to support commercial and military aviation.
By August 1934, construction was underway at Darton Field, where 110 unemployed workers were employed to develop the aerodrome. With three runways planned, the field would soon support safe and reliable aircraft operations.
From these early beginnings came a major milestone: the first commercial airline flights in New Zealand departing from Gisborne. This pioneering chapter laid the groundwork for the region’s enduring aviation heritage.
Visitors can explore this remarkable history at the museum, where displays trace Gisborne’s development from early airfield construction to its role as a strategic RNZAF training base during WWII.
The Mudge Collection
The Museum is proud to showcase the work of Graeme Mudge, a celebrated Tairāwhiti artist best known for the large-scale murals he created across prominent sites from the late 1980s through the 2000s. His murals, now part of the region’s visual heritage, have been documented in the book, The Mudge Murals.
This special collection features original watercolour paintings of aircraft from World War I and the Spanish Civil War, crafted with remarkable detail and historical accuracy. These works are exclusive to the Tairāwhiti Aviation Museum and cannot be viewed anywhere else.
Also on display is a unique series of handmade wooden aircraft models, created by Mudge using soft wood and ice block sticks. Each model was carefully built from line drawings found in vintage model-aircraft magazines, reflecting his deep passion for aviation and craftsmanship.