Built in 1945, too late to see active service in the Second World War, this Lancaster flew for the French navy in the early 1950s as WU-13. It was deployed to New Caledonia in 1957 until its donation to MOTAT in 1964. The aircraft is now painted as NE181 JN-M, which served with 75 (NZ) squadron and completed over 100 bombing missions in Europe during WWII.

WU13 arrives for handover to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland where it is displayed as the RAF's NX665. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

French navy Lancaster WU13 is seen here parked on the western side of the airfield of Wellington while still being operated by 9S. Around February 27th or 28th 1964, she flew from Wellington to Auckland and then back to Noumea, where she was based. Less than two months later, this aircraft flew back to Auckland Whenuapai where it was handed over to the Museum of Transport & Technology in Auckland on April 15th 1964. On that day, WU15 was present as well to ferry back the crew of WU13. By then, WU13 had been fitted with 0.5-inch machine guns in all turrets. Since then, WU13 has been preserved there in RAF WWII colour scheme and markings as NX665.

Ex French navy aircraft acquired in 1964. Displayed with serial PB457/SR-V on the port side and ND752/AA-O on the starboard. It was neither.