Episode 124 – The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Part Two

Host: Dave Homewood
Guests: Matthew O’Sullivan (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Keeper of Photographs), and
Simon Moody (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Research Curator)
Recorded: 28th of October 2016
Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes 20 seconds

This episode, which follows on from the previous show here, continues our look behind the scenes at our Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Dave Homewood talks with the museum’s Keeper of Photography Matthew O’Sullivan, who curates the extensive archive of photos, negatives, glass plates, film and digital images that cover our Air Force’s history from the 1920’s through till the modern era.

Matthew shows Dave around the archives and he talks about what his role entails and what services he provides the Air Force, researchers, publishers and the general public.

Then Dave discusses historical research and archival matters with the Research Curator Simon Moody, who also talks about his role and experiences within the archives of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Simon oversees the archive team and works on research projects,as well as answering requests from researchers and the public.

Quick Links:
• The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Website

• The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Facebook Page

• The Royal New Zealand Air Force Website

• The Royal New Zealand Air Force Facebook Page

• Defence Careers

Address: 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Wigram Park 8042, Christchurch, New Zealand
Email: info@airforcemuseum.co.nz Research Email research@airforcemuseum.co.nz
Phone: 03-343-9532

Matthew O’Sullivan, the Keeper of Photographs for the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Matthew examines one the glass plate negatives. Behind him on the wall is the 1 metre wide print of the Bristol F2B Fighter that he mentioned as having being printed from glass negative

Matthew with a 1980’s era coloured transparency of Skyhawk pilots

The Best Photo: This is the photograph that Matthew considers the best photo in the collection. His caption is: “3/4 front view of De Havilland DH4 A7929 ‘J’, being refuelled. Believed to be at Wigram Aerodrome. Merrin (standing on aircraft). On ground (L-R) O Gibson, Syme, Dini.” Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo

Simon Moody in the Museum Archives (Photo – Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Note: The music in this episode is “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

Mike Feisst

November 18, 2016 at 5:13 am · Reply

Have dealt with Matthew over photos and info for the Avenger. It is nice to be able to put a face to the name.

Neil F.

November 22, 2016 at 11:24 pm · Reply

Excellent couple of episodes on the RNZAF Museum.

Dave Homewood

November 23, 2016 at 8:24 pm · Reply

Thanks Neil. I really enjoyed making them.

Phillip Treweek

November 29, 2016 at 11:23 pm · Reply

Really good stuff Dave – thoroughly enjoyed the Museum episodes. Timely too, given I’ve recently been corresponding with Michelle .

Dave Homewood

November 30, 2016 at 5:46 am · Reply

Thanks Phil. It’s really great to get an inside peek behind the scenes there. They’re a great bunch of folks, always willing to help with research and always enthusiastic about the history.

Episode 124 – The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Part Two

5 comments to Episode 124 – The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Part Two

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