Wigram holds a lot of fond memories for me. As a kid growing up in Christchurch New Zealand I spend a fair amount of time there. In my early teenage years I joined the Air Cadets based at Wigram, while it was still an operational airbase. We would parade on the apron (or in one of the hangers during winter). We got we shoot some interesting weapons (Pistols, sub machine guns, 303) at the rifle range on the far side of the airbase and I even scored a ride in a CT4 Airtrainer (Will never forget doing loops and barrel rolls)
Unfortunately Wigram has long ceased being an operational airbase (Most of it is now residential housing and it no longer has an active runway.) but it is still based to the Airforce Museum of New Zealand.
While back in NZ just before Christmas I paid it a visit with my son. He had a ball. They run a great "tour" for kids called the "Air Force Adventure". It includes Learning to march & salute, a behind the screens tour, a treasure hunt in the restoration hanger, "Jumping out of an Andover", and at the end they "get they wings". Highly recommended.
You'll find a collection of photos from our visit here.
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