The New Zealand Aces

Our museum is dedicated to all New Zealand fighter pilots. Because it is not possible to display photographs and combat details of every one of these men in the museum the walls of the aircraft area are devoted to the 94 pilots who are known to have achieved 'ace' status in World Wars I & II. 
 
The term 'fighter ace' is generally held to mean a pilot who has scored at least five confirmed victories in air to air combat. In the case of night fighter and multi-seat day fighter aircraft the navigator/radar operator, without whose assistance the pilot could not have reached his total, is named where possible.

While the museum highlights the aces, it does not seek to sensationalise their achievements. There were many fine pilots who for reasons of circumstance or opportunity were unable to build up 'ace' scores. 
 
We pay tribute also to the ground crews whose skill and dedication, often under great pressure and in almost intolerable conditions, provided the essential strength of the Air Forces. 
 
The destruction of an enemy aircraft, designated a 'victory' in combat terms, very often meant the death of its pilot. Respect for the adversary was common among the fighter pilots and since the war many survivors from both sides have sought contact with each other. 
 
We honour here our own aerial warriors - we ask you to think too of the young men who, also flying in the Air Force of their country, fought against them. 
 
(A note regarding our World War One fighter aces - the rank on their biography is that which they held at the end of the Great War).

f

Flying Officer Geoffrey Bryson Fisken by Ken Wynn Fisken was born in Gisborne on February 17 1916, the son of a station-owner. During the thirties he learned to fly in a Gypsy Moth, instructed by ’Tiny’ White, a well known figure in New Zealand aviation between the wars. Read more... Wing Commander Thomas Bernard Fitzgerald by Ken Wynn Tom Fitzgerald, born in Temuka on 11 July 1919, was educated at Timaru Boys’ High School, after which he went farming. In April 1937 Fitzgerald was accepted for a commission in the RNZAF and following flying training at Wigram sailed for the United Kingdom in April 1938 on transfer to the RAF. Read more...

g

Squadron Leader John Albert Axel Gibson by Ken Wynn John Gibson was born in Brighton, England, on 24 August 1916 and came to New Zealand in 1920. He was educated in Auckland and at New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Read more... Lieutenant Frederick Gordon by Trevor Richards Frederick Gordon was born in Auckland on 30 October 1897 and educated at Wanganui Collegiate. In 1917 he underwent flying training at the New Zealand Flying School, graduating in October and departing for the United Kingdom a month later. Read more... Wing Commander Reginald Joseph Cowan Grant by Ken Wynn Reg Grant was born in Woodville on 3 June 1914 and was educated at Auckland Grammar School. After working as a metal spinner, he joined the RNZAF in November 1939. Having completed his flying training Grant was posted to the United Kingdom as a Sergeant-Pilot to join 145 Squadron at Tangmere in March 1941. Read more... Group Captain Colin Falkland Gray by Ken Wynn New Zealand’s top-scoring fighter pilot, Colin Gray, was born in Christchurch on 9 November 1914, one of twin brothers. Both became pilots in the RAF, Ken passing out in October 1938 and Colin a year later. Read more...

h

Flight Lieutenant Peter Francis Locker Hall by Ken Wynn Peter Hall, born at Opotiki on May 16 1922, was a schoolmaster before joining the RNZAF in July 1941. Following training he was sent to the United Kingdom where he was posted to a Spitfire Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. Read more... Flight Lieutenant Owen Leslie Hardy by Ken Wynn Born in Auckland on 31 July 1922, Hardy worked as a mechanical engineer before joining the RNZAF in March 1941. Read more... Squadron Leader James Chilton Francis Hayter by Ken Wynn Born in Timaru on 18 October 1917, Jim Hayter attended Nelson College from 1928 to 1934. Working on farms and sheep stations, he took flying lessons with the Marlborough Aero Club as money and time allowed. Read more... Flight Lieutenant Michael James Herrick by Ken Wynn Michael Herrick, born in Hastings on 5 May 1921, was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School. Read more... Squadron Leader Raymond Brown Hesselyn by Ken Wynn One of New Zealand’s most successful fighter pilots, Ray Hesselyn was born in Dunedin on March 13 1921. Read more... Pilot Officer Howard Perry Hill by Ken Wynn Born in Christchurch on 17 April 1920, Hill attended Marlborough College from 1932 to 1936 before leaving to work as a clerk in Blenheim. Read more... Pilot Officer William Henry Hodgson by Ken Wynn William Hodgson was born at Frankton Junction on 30 September 1920, the family later moving to Dunedin. After leaving school he became a radio station technician and also joined the Civil Reserve of Pilots in October 1938. Hodgson entered the RNZAF on a short service commission and when his flying training was completed sailed for ... Read more... Flight Lieutenant John Arthur Houlton by Ken Wynn John Houlton (born Christchurch 23 September 1922) was a Public Service cadet before he joined the RNZAF in June 1941. Having completed his flying training in New Zealand he sailed for the United Kingdom in mid-December 1941 to join the RAF. Following a refresher course in March he converted to Hurricanes in April/May before joining Read more... Squadron Leader Reginald Jack Hyde by Ken Wynn Following his education at Christchurch Boys’ High School, Reginald Hyde, born in Christchurch on 21 December 1912, became an electrician. Read more...

i

Squadron Leader Bruce Ingram by Ken Wynn Bruce Ingram, (christened Mervyn Robert Bruce) was born in Dunedin on 13 December 1921 and was a clerk prior to joining the RNZAF on 28 July 1941. He completed his flying training as a Sergeant-Pilot and was posted to join 66 Squadron in the UK, moving shortly afterwards to 611 Squadron. Read more...

j

Flight Lieutenant George Edmond Jameson by Ken Wynn George Jameson, from Rotherham, North Canterbury, was born in Christchurch on November 20 1921. After a period working on the family farm, he joined the RNZAF in January 1941 and was sent to the United Kingdom on completion of his training. Read more... Air Commodore Patrick Geraint Jameson by Ken Wynn Born in Wellington on November 10 1912, Jameson was educated in Lower Hutt before taking up employment as an assurance clerk. Read more... Squadron Leader Ernest Leslie Joyce by Ken Wynn ’Nipper’ Joyce was born in Hamilton on 17 February 1920 and after leaving school worked as a salesman. Read more... Squadron Leader Ivon Julian by Ken Wynn Ivon Julian was born in Te Kuiti on 20 October 1917. He worked as a salesman in Wellington before joining the RNZAF in January 1940. Read more...