Kokopo War Museum
P. O. Box 1879, Rabaul, East New Britain, PNG
tel 675-982-8453 | fax 675-982-8439 | Hours 9-5pm
This is a branch of the PNG National Museum, Port Moresby

This museum began in the early 1980's as a small museum at the so called "Yamamoto Bunker" in Rabaul, and was moved to Kokopo to accomidate the growing collection, and in anticpation of a volcanic eruption. The museum's collection was largely assembled and donated by the efforts of Brian Bennett. The original board of directors included: David Lindley, Brian Bennett, Alister Norrie and Dick Joyce. This museum contains a large collection of WWII artifacts from the Rabaul related to the history of the area, including local art & culture, German colonial period, prewar and WWII Japanese occupation.

(far left, outside fence) British or Japanese manufactured 6" gun.
(far right, foreground) Unitdentified green artillery piece - 75mm pack howitzer?

Japanese Tanks, Vehicles & Equipment

Type 95 Ha Go Medium Tank
Surrendered Rabaul area in September 1945, missing turret and panels

Type 95 Ha Go Tankette
Surrendered Rabaul area in September 1945

Tracked Recovery Vehicle
Surrendered Rabaul area in September 1945

Special Purpose Vehicle
Surrendered Rabaul area in September 1945

Vickers SR I Light Amphibious Tank
Surrendered Rabaul area in September 1945

Justin Taylan 2003

The front strut of the roller is the manufacture's logo, and "Kumazana".

Justin Taylan 2006

Six wheel generator truck, recovered from Vazin Plantation. Perfectly intact, a tree fell onto the truck at the musem , breaking its back.

Justin Taylan 2000

610mm guage, powered by 4 cylinder engine, used in construction of Toberea Airfield.

Japanese Artillery & Machine Guns

6" Naval Gun

150mm Type 89 (1929) Serial Number 22

37mm Infantry Gun Type 11 (1922)

75mm Mountain Howitzer Type 94 Serial Number 1009

Dual Purpose 120mm Anti-Aircraft Gun (Type 10 1921)

Kokopo Museum Upstairs
Zero 20mm with ammo drum
7.7mm Beaufort Wreck at Gasmata (3 wrecks there)
B-17 waist gun from #543
37mm cannon from P-39 wreck in the Rabaul area

Aircraft Wrecks & Wreckage

B-25C "Skilla" Serial Number 42-64570
Nose art on display

B-17E "Naughty But Nice" Serial Number 41-2430
Recovered cockpit section on display. 

B-17E "Why Don't We Do This More Often" Serial No 41-2429
Recovered radio and waist door on display

A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Displayed outdoors without engine or tail

F4U-1 Corsair Bureau Number 02566
Recovered from crash site, displayed 'in situ'

CAC Wirraway
Frame only, recovered from Vunakanau area

Engines & Aircraft Parts on Display

Sakai 12 Radial Engine
Recovered from B5N2 Kate at Jacquinot Bay

Propeller B5N Kate
B5N Kate first Japanese aircraft shot down over Rabaul by Australian anti-aircraft gunners

J1N1-S Irving
Gun mount for 20mm cannons recovered from Vunakanau

Guns, Bombs & Miscellaneous Relics

B-17 Top Turret
Frame from B-17 from China Straights

Japanese Radio Equipment
Salvaged from a Japanese Navy radio station tunnel in town. The Naval Headquarters was located at the top of Mango Avenue up towards the hills

Last Updated
October 10, 2009