41 Squadron RNZAF Association

The message below was passed by our Sister Association in New Zealand:

​Hi All,

What remains of RNZAF WIgram

Built on the out-skirts of Christchurch, it came under increasing pressure from the 'Greenies', 'Noise Abatement chappies' and the ever encroaching demands of those hungering for their  little slice of 'God's Own' (back in the day when a timber frame 1000 sq ft home on a quarter  acre section was quite normal… and almost affordable).
Its significance today is that it is the home of the RNZAF Museum with two of the hangars still in use for storage and  restitution work. A number of smaller 'out buildings' (former  Barracks and others) now converted to archives, libraries, photo recovery, study centres and research facilities.
Many of the Station houses were cleaned-up and sold on the open market .Large parts of the air field are now in the hands of developers and are being converted into up-market housing estates

In the centre foreground is the old No 1 Officer's Mess and accommodation blocks. For a number of years it was used as a 'back packers' hostel but when recently sold, was up-graded to an event / conference centre (with accommodation available) and will be the venue for  this years 41 Squadron BGM and Reunion  -  timed for April 12 – 14.2019. Current plans will have the Friday night Meet & Greet in the Mess while the formal dinner on the Saturday night will be held in the aircraft display area of the Museum seen here behind the Mess on the hard standing… abutting part of the old the air field.

In its day the base was the home of the Central Flying School (Pilots and Navigators) as well as 1 TTS (Electrical and Instrument training facilities  -  later Avionics)  
It was  an attractive Base and apart from being rather cold during the winter (by NZ Standards) and almost unbearably hot during summer it was not a bad posting.

Our thanks for your salutations, and may I offer our very best wishes to your squadron for the coming year, as the RAF heads off into its second hundred years…we watch with interest.

All the best…

Bryan S Franklin
BAv RAeS ISASI
Vice President 41 Squadron RNZAF Association 

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