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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).
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