Auckland

[Moonlight]

I'm down in Auckland for a few days, and I've heard there's quite a collection of warbirds in the area. Where should I go, gents?

Last edited by Moonlight on Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:04 am, edited 2 times in total.

[DaveM2]

Head out to Ardmore airfield for the 'live' stuff. Not sure what you will get to see without any notification ( in relation to the resto shops of Pioneer and AvSpecs) though. Also visit MOTAT at Western Springs

[JDK]

Where's Aukland? Where the Auks live? Auckland*, NZ, presumably?

As Dave's said, MoTaT is well worth a visit; great aircraft collection; Lanc, Sunderland, Solent, three Lockheed twins, P-40, and many more. Bear in mind most of the aircraft are at a separate site to the main museum, although connected by a tram (streetcar) - so do some homework first. The main museum site is full of other 'cool mechanical' stuff as well as displays on NZ's first aviator Richard Pearse* and aviatrix Jean Batten.

http://www.motat.org.nz/

A mooch around Ardmore would probably work out. When you find the Avspecs and Pioneer hangars and introduce yourself as an aviation professional interested in warbirds, you'll almost certainly get a look around, maybe a guided tour - depends on how busy they are. They're very friendly, even to Aussies like me...

(*Bear in mind I spelled Pearse, Pierce 1st go.)

[agent86]

Do go see the MOTAT collection,well worth it. I saw an airshow at a field I think was named "dairy Flats" its been 20 yrs. they had some cool things there

[Keith Gaff]

You should also pay a visit to the Auckland War Museum which exhibits a Spitfire Mk16 and a very nice and original Mitsubishi Zero.

[Moonlight]

Guys, thanks for the suggestions. My partner in crime & I went to MOTAT when we were here a couple weeks ago, and we're booked on tomorrow's DC-3 ride out of Ardmore. I'm excited to poke my head around and see what we find over there, I hear nothing but good things. Thanks again.

[agent86]

New Zealand is a beautiful country and they seem to actually like us "Yanks" if I ever need to disappear I would go there in a minute.I dont know what the exchange rate is now but when I went in 93 it was 51 cents to the US dollar.you didnt need a visa,so you could disappear,double your money,and they actually liked you.I'm gonna go back to visit for sure! But dont ever try to keep up with them drinking in a pub. I couldnt keep up,no way!

[Dave Homewood]

The exchange rate earlier today was about 76 US cents to the NZ dollar.

James, MOTAT has four and a half Lockheed twins actually, the Hudson, the RB-34 Ventura, the Lodestar/Loadstar, the Electra and the other Electra's fuselage.

I called in very briefly to Ardmore on Sunday to see Chris at the Thunder Mustang hangar, and I spotted the Dakota preparing to go off on a joy ride flight so i guess you were on it Moonlight. How was it? That Dakota is a great old bird, and the crew are wonderful people.

[agent86]

I LOVE NEW ZEALAND AND THE KIWI"S!