Walsh Brothers to Warbirds

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 countries 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.

The exhibition opens Thursday June 5th at the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum in Papakura.