The National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) is located at 25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven, at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1996 by Vietnam veteran John Methven, the museum was initially situated in San Remo (5km from where it is now). In 2007 it relocated to its current, more expansive location adjacent to the Phillip Island Airport.
The NVVM was founded by Vietnam veterans and their families, aiming to preserve and present the history and legacy of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The museum is largely volunteer-run, with a dedicated team managing its extensive collections and educational programs.
Getting There
From Melbourne, the museum is approximately a 90-minute (140km) drive southeast of Phillip Island just over the San Remo bridge. It’s well signposted and located next to the Phillip Island Airport.
Exhibits and Collections of the National Vietnam Veterans Museum
The museum houses an extensive array of artifacts, vehicles, and memorabilia from the Vietnam War era. These offer a comprehensive understanding of the conflict and its impact on Australian society.
Aircraft Collection
de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou’s rugged construction and excellent STOL capability made it ideal for rough-field operations in the Vietnam theatre. A4-231 was one of the Caribous deployed to Vietnam under Operation Bushranger, supporting the Australian Army and allied forces. It performed airdrops and short-strip landings under fire; tactical resupply missions; medivac and casualty evacuations and the transport of troops and materiel. After withdrawal from Vietnam in 1972, A4-231 continued operations within Australia and in regional deployments including Papua New Guinea and humanitarian missions in the South Pacific.
Caribous like A4-231 participated in disaster relief operations, including cyclone response and supply drops to remote communities in the Pacific and northern Australia.
Unfortunately stored outside due to its size, A4-231 is looking a little weather beaten. More photos of DHC-4 Caribou’s here.
Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter Gunship
The Bell AH-1 Cobra on display is serial number 69-15092, which served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971 and was damaged twice in combat.
The AH-1 Cobra was the first dedicated attack helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter, introduced in 1967. It featured a narrow fuselage, tandem seating for a pilot and gunner, stub wings for mounting weapons, and a chin-mounted gun turret. The Cobra provided close air support and escorted transport helicopters during the Vietnam War.
The acquisition of this Cobra involved two years of negotiations between the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and the U.S. Army. With support from local Member of Parliament Greg Hunt, the helicopter was imported to Australia, valued at $7.9 million. It was brought to museum standard, ensuring that all weaponry was rendered inoperable and structural components were modified to prevent future flight.
Bell UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, serial number A2-110, served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Vietnam War. On its return to Australia on December 8, 1970, it was configured with two M-60 general-purpose machine guns, reflecting its role in combat operations.
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, serving as a utility helicopter for troop transport, medical evacuation, and close air support. More photos of Bell UH-1 Iroquois here.
Bell H-13 Sioux Helicopter
The Bell H-13 Sioux is a light, single-engine helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter. It gained prominence during the Korean War, serving in various roles such as observation, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation (medevac). The H-13 was one of the first helicopters to be used extensively in combat operations.
English Electric Mk.21 Canberra
The English Electric Canberra Mk.21, tail number A84-307 holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving complete Canberra bomber in the world and was the first Canberra delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Built in July 1951 as a B.1 bomber (RAF serial WD939), it was diverted from an RAF order and delivered to the RAAF on 1 August 1951. The delivery flight from RAF Lyneham to Darwin took over four days, with the Australian crew setting an unofficial fastest jet record for the trip, flying 10,200 miles in just 21 hours.
Initially operated out of RAAF Laverton for training and aircrew conversion, it later joined No. 6 Squadron as A84-307. In 1958, it was converted to Mk.21 configuration and subsequently served with No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 Squadron, and the RAAF’s No. 1 (B) Operational Conversion Unit.
After its retirement, A84-307 was preserved at the Defence Munitions Depot in Kingswood, NSW. In 2007, it was acquired by the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, where it is currently undergoing restoration.
The English Electric Canberra was the RAAF’s principal bomber during the early Cold War era and saw extensive combat service in the Vietnam War. Its deployment marked Australia’s most significant air combat contribution during that conflict. RAAF Canberra’s of No. 2 Squadron operated from Phan Rang Air Base from April 1967 until June 1971. During this time, they flew 11,963 combat missions and dropped 76,389 bombs, while only losing two aircraft. One was brought down by ground fire in 1970 (both crew members were rescued) while the other was lost in a non-combat related accident.
More photos of RAAF Canberras can be found here.
Grumman S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was a twin-engine, carrier-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft developed by Grumman for the U.S. Navy. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) operated the S-2E and later the upgraded S-2G variants from the mid-1960s until the early 1980s. These aircraft were primarily deployed from the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and were tasked with detecting and neutralizing submarine threats, as well as conducting maritime surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The museum’s Grumman S-2G Tracker bears the RAN serial number N12-153567 and is marked with the side number 855. This aircraft was acquired by the museum in late 2013 and is displayed at the front of the facility.
Westland Wessex HAS.31B
The Westland Wessex was a British-built, turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34, produced under license by Westland Aircraft. The Royal Australian Navy operated the Wessex primarily in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, as well as for troop transport, search and rescue (SAR), and utility missions. During the Vietnam War, Wessex helicopters were deployed aboard RAN ships such as HMAS Sydney.
The museum’s Westland Wessex is serial number N7-221, a HAS.31B variant that served in the RAN from 1963 until its retirement in 1989. During its career, N7-221 was involved in two incidents. On 5 May 1967 while taking off from HMAS Melbourne, N7-221 experienced an engine failure, leading to a ditching at sea. The aircraft was successfully recovered and returned to service. On 25 June 1975 the crew executed an emergency landing at Durras Beach, New South Wales after N7-221 suffered another engine failure at an altitude of 6,000 feet.
More photos of Westland Wessex helicopters here.
Ground Vehicles and Artillery
Centurion Tank
Australia deployed 58 Centurion tanks to Vietnam between 1968 and 1971, primarily operated by the 1st Armoured Regiment. Initially, there were concerns about the suitability of these 50-ton tanks in the dense jungle terrain. However, they proved highly effective in providing close support to infantry units, particularly in clearing enemy bunker systems.
Throughout their deployment, 42 Centurions sustained battle damage, with six deemed beyond repair.
M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier
M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier type played an important role in Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1972. I was used as an armoured transport, reconnaissance as a support vehicle.
105mm M2A2 Howitzer
The M2A2 105 millimetre howitzer was the standard artillery weapon used by most field regiments of the Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) during the Vietnam conflict. The M2A2 was used extensively throughout the Vietnam conflict and was used in the fire support role at Fire Support Base Coral, Bien Hoa Province, Vietnam in 1968. After Vietnam, The M2A2 howitzer was retired from regular service with the Australian Army in 1988, when it was replaced by the 105 mm L118 and L119, which in turn were replaced by the M777A2 in 2014.
Other Displays
There is a large number of other display, including photographs, medals and items donated by Veterans or their families.
Our photos are available for purchase on
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