In January 2023 the Royal New Zealand Airforce's P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft made their last flight across Manawatu and Horowhenua. This advertising slide dates back to the 1960s when the Orions were 'exciting new aircraft' and the Air Force was looking for recruits to maintain them.

The Orions undertook Exclusive Economic Zone patrols, search and rescue missions and assisted Customs, Police, Fisheries and The Department of Conservation. They even helped our pacific neighbours in times of crisis.

The first of the RNZAF's P3s arrived in 1966 and by the time they retired they had undergone lots of upgrades. This slide shows where the twelve members of crew sat. Pilots, communications technicians, weapons officers and ordnance specialists were part of the team.

But note that the recruits wanted were all men. In the 1960s women were not part of 'main' Air Force, and the Women's Royal New Zealand Airforce would not merge with the regular service until 1977. Even then, women were not allowed to be on operational air crews until the 1980s, with the first women pilot in 1988.

As of 2024 a fleet of four Boeing P8 Poseidon  jet aircraft perform patrol duties at sea and both men and women can fly and maintain these critical parts of the Air Force. But we doubt you'll see a recruitment ad in the cinema! 

Inscription on reverse reads: “Len Mangin gave plane rides for 5/-. Mrs Mangin was the mechanic. Outside Foxton Beach P O Store”.

Len Mangin stands with his hand agains the propellor of a plane. Information on reverse of the photograph states that Len Mangin gave plane rides for 5/-. Mrs Mangin was the mechanic. This photograph was taken outside the Foxton Beach Post Office Store.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Aeroplane which landed in paddock Totara Park Road 1926. A group of women with two boys stand beside the left wingof the aircraft.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

A crowd gathered around an aeroplane on Foxton Beach. In the background are a number of private residences.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Kingsford Smith??”

A large crowd gathered around an aeroplane on Foxton Beach. Inscription on reverse reads: “Kingsford Smith??”

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

First plane to land in Shannon, c.1920. This photograph shows several people around the biplane on the old Shannon racecourse, which was on the western side of Margaret Street.

Information in the book “From Bush & Swamp”, page 81, below the caption of photo s2002.053.0003 giving joy rides to locals, states: “An earlier landing of a homebuilt plane by Len Mangham on the old racecourse, almost ended in disaster, when it clipped the rear end of a cow; the pilot was not injured, and the plane only slightly damaged, but the cow, who lost her tail in the mishap, had to be put down.”

1 B&W photo print, copy (plus 2 copies)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Kingsford Smith plane at Tararua Rd. airstrip 1932.”

Penciled on back: “Chron. Sup. 1981. P.100.”

See promotion booklet – ‘Your Future’s in Levin’ (no page numbers, approx. 3/4 way through booklet) for another photo of ‘Southern Cross’, with caption – First aeroplane to land in Levin.

‘Southern Cross’, Kingsford Smith’s aircraft, at the Tararua Road airstrip, Levin, 1932

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0134a)

See promotion booklet – ‘Your Future’s in Levin’ (no page numbers, approx. 3/4 way through booklet) for another photo of ‘Southern Cross’, with caption (incorrect, see 2000.018.0135) – First aeroplane to land in Levin.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on piece of paper glued to back: “Copy of ticket issued to M.C. Dimock 17/6/29. 1.10.0 pounds. Original in the possession of Mrs June Woolley Manakau. An original is also in our archives.”

Penciled on back of photocopy: “Oct. 5th 1920 Levin glimpsed Avro as it went of [?] flight Petone to Wanganui. First plane to land here in early 1920’s landed east of Dairy Factory along Queen St. 1933 [?] Kingsford Smith brought “Southern Cross” to aerial display at Tararua Road airstrip.”

Photograph of souvenir air ticket of flight in Avro-Avian, 1929. Issued to M.C. Dimock, 17-6-29, for 1 pound & 10 shillings.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Printed bottom of photo as caption: “A common sight around Levin during World War II – the Airspeed Oxford. A number of plywood dummy aircraft were also parked on the Levin airfield to fool the enemy into thinking our aircraft numbers were greater than in fact they were.”

A common sight around Levin during World War II – the Airspeed Oxford. A number of plywood dummy aircraft were also parked on the Levin airfield to fool the enemy into thinking our aircraft numbers were greater than in fact they were.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0134b)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Biplane giving joy rides to locals, c.1920 in this photograph the biplane is in a paddock surrounded by people.

This photograph was used in the book – “From Bush & Swamp”, page 81, with the caption: “Shannon entered the age of air travel about 1920, when this plane took locals for joy rides from Ewan Barber’s property on Otauru Road. Jack Humphries was the first Shannon child to have a ride in the plane, and had to wait until the last trip of the day, as he was only paying half fare.”

1 B&W postcard

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white photograph.

Southern Cross parked at Foxton Beach after flight. Bill Titcombe walking towards Jim Titcombe who is talking to Alan Smith who is facing the camera. West End Store in Background.

Black and white photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”