The only surviving pilot from the World War II 'Dambusters' has accepted an offer that would keep his medals in New Zealand.
Les Munro at the Bomber Command Memorial in London. Photo: SUPPLIED
The Dambusters conducted air raids on Germany with bouncing bombs that destroyed two dams, in 1943.
Veteran pilot Les Munro had put his medals up for auction in London tomorrow, to help pay for the upkeep of the Bomber Command Memorial in London.
DNW - Les Munro in Lancaster W - William cockpit. Photo: SUPPLIED
But British philanthropist Lord Ashcroft offered to donate about $150,000 for the memorial's upkeep if Mr Munro withdrew the medals from sale and gave them to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland.
The international auction house Dix Noonan Webb said Mr Munro accepted the offer.
The auction house will waive its fees and expenses on the understanding the museum in Auckland make a further donation of about $20,000.
The Museum of Transport and Technology said it was a fantastic result
Chief executive Michael Frawley said Mr Munro was a part of New Zealand history.
"The medals and indeed the log books and the other memorabilia tell his story, but also the story of his colleagues and New Zealand's bomber command in general.
"It'd be a shame to lose them - it's sort of losing a New Zealand cultural icon."
Mr Frawley said the medals will be brought to New Zealand by Lord Ashcroft.
DNW - Les Munro medals. Photo: SUPPLIED