Papua New Guinea

Aviation Heritage Centre (PNG National Museum and Art Gallery)

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea · Papua New Guinea

Aviation Museums › Aircraft Collection

A purpose-built aviation wing of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, officially opened 8-9 September 2025 to coincide with PNG's 50th independence anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing. Built through a multi-year collaboration between the Royal Australian Air Force, the PNG Defence Force, and the National Museum, it gives the museum's long-held but previously scattered/outdoor historic aircraft collection its first permanent indoor home.

Founded 2025Address National Museum and Art Gallery, Independence Drive, Waigani, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Notable Exhibits
  • Douglas A-20 Havoc — WWII-era bomber, now on its first permanent indoor display after decades in storage/open air.
  • CAC CA-1 Wirraway — RAAF-built trainer/light attack aircraft, long held in storage before this display.
  • Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor (A45-1) — Recovered from a crash at Lake Myola, one of PNG's earliest airliner relics.
  • Bell P-39/P-400 Airacobra (AP347) — Recovered from Bulldog Airfield; on public display since 2016, now relocated into the new centre.
  • WWII aviation relics — Includes remnants of a P-38 Lightning and a Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty" wing section.
✦The irreplaceable WWII airframes were moved into the new centre by a local Port Moresby contractor using cranes and forklifts.
✦At the opening, Royal Australian Air Force officials presented PNG Defence Force officers with 1970s photographs of PNG's first Douglas DC-3s, taken by the first commanding officer of the PNG Air Transport Squadron.

Verified 2026-10-19 · Historic aircraft safely home at Papua New Guinea's new Aviation Heritage Centre, Aviation Heritage Center opened, Historic aircraft find new home in PNG heritage centre