Historic Aircrafts’ New Home in PNG
Papua New Guinea’s aviation heritage and the PNG/Australia defence relationship is now proudly displayed following the opening of the purpose-built Aviation Heritage Centre at the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby.
Built as a collaboration between the RAAF and the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery, the Aviation Heritage Centre provides a permanent home for the museum’s World War 2-era Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber, along with other historic Papua New Guinean aircraft and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wirraway aircraft.
The centre, opened by PNG's Minister for Finance, Thomas Opa, and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, was established to preserve aircraft of mutual significance to both nations for years to come.
“The Aviation Heritage Centre and the World War 2-era Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber stand as a permanent reminder of an enduring defence relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea, forged through shared tenacity and sacrifice during World War 2,” Air Marshal Chappell said.
Air Marshal Chappell also presented pictorial history books and photographs to PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Vavar and Director of Air Operations Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Wii.
(Story and images courtesy Department of Defence)
Above: PNG Minister for Finance Thomas Opa and a Royal Australian Air Force officer unveil the new sign at the opening of the Aviation Heritage Centre at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby, PNG.
Above: From left, Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton, Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Vavar, and PNG Defence Force Director of Air Operations Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Wii.