Biggin Hill Hanger with P51 Mustang
Reason for the name
A collection of military aircraft relevant to New Zealand's military history. Named after the RAF station in England where many New Zealanders including decorated ace Air Commodore Alan Deere flew fighter aircraft in World War 2.
Two hangars located on RNZAF Base Ohakea which house currently (February 2024) 10 historic military aircraft including five airworthy aircraft.
There are two hangars; the first named Biggin Hill and the other Palikulo which was the airfield on Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, where the RNZAF had its main servicing base in the Pacific during WW2.
Biggin Hill was one of the principal fighter bases protecting London and South East England from attack by enemy bombers during the Battle of Britain in 1940. It was a sector station controlling aerial fighting and flew Hurricanes and Spitfires to meet German bomber formations. Biggin Hill suffered massive bombing attacks, buildings were destroyed and many casualties were suffered.
Many New Zealanders flew from Biggin Hill during the war.
Decorated New Zealander Alan Deere then Wing Commander and later Air Commodore, led a fighter wing from Biggin Hill in 1943, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his achievements. Deere was one of New Zealand's best-known fighter pilots of the war.
Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre was initially established as a home for the museum’s restored Supermarine Spitfire IX which had its first post restoration flight in 2009. The first hangar was built in 2011 and expanded in 2015 and the second hangar was built in 2018. The collection of aircraft housed has steadily grown over the last few years.
The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre is managed by the Biggin Hill Trust.
For security reasons, access is restricted with access available as shown on the trust’s website.
Further information about Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre is available at Arranging a visit – Biggin Hill, RNZAF Ohakea (spitfirepv270.co.nz)
- on Facebook (20+) Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre, RNZAF Ohakea | Facebook and
- the Biggin Hill Trust’s web site Biggin Hill, RNZAF Ohakea – Historic Aircraft Centre (spitfirepv270.co.nz).
