Papua New Guinea's aviation heritage can now be proudly displayed following the opening of a purpose-built Aviation Heritage Centre at the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby.
The new facility was officially opened by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM, and Papua New Guinea's Minister for Finance, the Hon Thomas Opa MP.
The opening of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery Aviation Heritage Centre coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing and the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence.
"I'm delighted to be in Port Moresby for Papua New Guinea Defence Force Week and to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing," Air Marshal Chappell said.
"The Royal Australian Air Force is extremely proud of its enduring partnership with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing, especially our continuing engagement to help grow Papua New Guinea's sovereign air capability by working with our Papua New Guinea colleagues with ongoing aviation training."
Built as a collaboration between the Royal Australian Air Force and the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, the Aviation Heritage Centre provides a permanent home for the museum's World War Two-era Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber, alongside historic Papua New Guinean aircraft and Royal Australian Air Force Wirraway aircraft.
"The Aviation Heritage Centre and the World War Two-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 Two," Air Marshal Chappell said.
"The opening of this purpose-built facility acknowledges and celebrates the work being undertaken to safeguard and celebrate Papua New Guinea's aviation history and heritage."
The Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery Aviation Heritage Centre was constructed following a 2022 directive from former Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC, to ensure the provision of appropriate accommodation for historic aircraft of mutual significance to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
It was built by the local Papua New Guinean workforce, and has contributed AUD$14 million to the local economy since 2023.
The Royal Australian Air Force, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery continue to work together to ensure the ongoing conservation, preservation, storage and display of aviation artefacts of mutual interest. Opportunities for future projects, including for local curatorial training, are also being explored.
