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, opened by Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Finance, the Thomas Opa MP and Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC CSC OAM, provides a permanent home for the museum’s World War Two-era Douglas A-20 Havoc bomber and other historic Papua New Guinean aircraft and Royal Australian Air Force Wirraway aircraft.
The centre was built as a collaboration between the Royal Australian Air Force and the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, seeking to provide an appropriate home for historic aircraft of mutual significance to Australia and Papua New Guinea for years to come.
Rodney Graham, a Port Moresby resident, helped install many of the new Centre’s exhibitions, with his company – Rods Construction Ltd – utilising cranes and forklifts to set the items in place.
The project has contributed PGK39 million (AUD14m) to the local economy since 2023.
For Mr. Graham, the new Centre ensures that his, and future generations, are reminded of the sacrifices of the past and the shared history between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“I wasn’t born when these things happened and this Centre helps us to think of our history – our shared history – and the things that happened long ago,” Mr. Graham said.
“It means a lot to be invited to be here, and to be involved in a milestone event for Papua New Guinea.”
For Air Marshal Chappell, the Centre is reminiscent of Papua New Guinea and Australia’s defence relationship.
“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’ aviation history and heritage.”
“This Aviation Centre is a gift of friendship – thank you for being a good friend to us, for always showing up for us and your mutual respect.”
The Centre already has a new addition, with Air Marshal Chappell providing a new exhibition at the opening.
He presented pictorial history books and photos taken of Papua New Guinea’s Douglas DC3s in the mid-1970s by the first Commanding Officer of the Air Transport Squadron – William “Stew” McAllister – to the current Papua New Guinea Defence Force Air Transport Wing Commanding Officer Lt Col Douglas Vavar and Director of Air Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Wii.
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery continue to work together to ensure the ongoing preservation and display of aviation artefacts of mutual interest.
