Walsh Brothers to Warbirds

Opens Thursday June 5th
Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum
Papakura

The exhibition Walsh Brothers to Warbirds, opening soon at the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum, acknowledges the rich aviation history of the Papakura district, and the outstanding events which contributed to the country's flying industry.  

Walsh Brothers to War Birds is an exhibition of early flight in New Zealand, featuring a selection of photographs by George Bourne, Arthur Breckon and official photographers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The exhibition presents aviation pioneers Leo and Vivian Walsh and their experiments with flight in Papakura along with their pilot training operations in Kohimarama (now called Mission Bay).

The area of Papakura has been a key site for the development of aviation in New Zealand. The Walsh brothers first biplane was tested by Vivian Walsh in a Papakura park in 1911. Their enthusiasm for building and flying planes led to the formation of the Aero Club of New Zealand in 1910 and later the New Zealand Flying School which opened in 1915, training over 100 pilots for World War One.

Walsh Brothers to War Birds was produced by the Auckland War Memorial Museum in close collaboration with the Papakura District Council and Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum. The exhibition covers significant aviation events and landmarks within Papakura and beyond, including images of pilot training at Ardmore Airfield for World War Two and the restored aircraft collections of the New Zealand Warbirds Association.

This Auckland Museum outreach exhibition has been a positive and collaborative process. The Auckland Museum exhibition team worked closely with the staff at the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum to select the themes of the exhibition. At the duration of the exhibition, Auckland Museum will gift the prints to the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum collection.

This exhibit is part of Auckland Museum’s regional touring programme that will see the Museum take mainly pictorial exhibitions to civic centres’ throughout the wider Auckland region. The Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum will open the exhibition to the public on Thursday June 5th.

Dr Vanda Vitali, the Museum Director is delighted with the Walsh Brothers to Warbirds exhibit.  “These pictorial exhibits give Auckland Museum the opportunity to share our collection with the people of Papakura and help them celebrate the heritage of their region as well as the pictorial treasures of the regions museum.”

Manurewa on a short flight at Papakura, 1911 Photograph by A.N Breckon © Auckland Museum	The Walsh Brothers Aeroplane Company, 1911 Photograph by A.N Breckon © Auckland Museum	Vivian Walsh at controls of biplane Manurewa, 1911 Photograph by A.N Breckon © Auckland Museum

Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum

Accent Point Building, Level 4,
28 East Street, Papakura
Phone: (09) 978 2600
Email: museum@papakuraarts.co.nz

Opening Hours:

Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 10am-3pm
Wednesday: 2pm-6pm
Closed Public Holidays
(other times by appointment)