Omaka Heritage Centre (NZ) incl "Red Baron" memorabilia

[PreservedAC]

Attracted by a roadsign "Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre" near Blenheim (NZ-south island) ,
we left the main road for a quick look .
It proved to be one of the best aviation museums ever visited.

The whole collection reflects the aviation scene regarding WW-I .
Surprising subject for a place in NZ.

The collection includes
Caproni Ca.22 (original airframe)
Etrich Taube
Airco DH-2
Fokker E-III
Morane-saulnier BB
Curtiss MF (original airframe)
Thomas-Morse S-4C
Breguet 14
R.A.F RE.8
R.A.F SE-5
Siemens Schuckert D-IV
Nieuport 24 & 27
Airco DH-4 (original airframe)
Halberstadt D-IV
Pfalz D-III
Fokker DR-I triplane (5x)

remarkable exhibit is the original cross insignia of Manfred von Richthofens "Red Baron"


No problems with photography here ,as all exhibits are well balanced illumited with spotlights.

Unfortunatly no acces to restoration shops .
Outside exhibits are a Bristol Freighter and replica Hurricane (soviet AF) and a Ju-87 Stuka.

samples out a set of 70 photos





Photoset : http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyQNuWf

or direct : http://www.flickr.com/photos/pvdac/7050 ... 9387746026 for the first photo
Click on the a photo on the Yahoo page to go to the lightbox (with the dark background) and scroll down the photoset.



enjoy


Johan

[Dragonflydh90]

That would be because there are no restoration shops on the airfield associated with the museum, everything is done elsewhere (mostly Wellington or Masterton in the North Island) and 99.9% of it is Peter Jacksons collection with the dioramas being done by Weta Worskshop and aircraft buy the Vintage Aviator (both associated with Sir Peter).

There is a restoration shop on the airfield, JEM Aviation, who have just finished a beautiful Yak-3 and look after a FW-190 as well as having 4 or 5 other projects on the go.
It is a very active vintage and warbird airfield.

[PreservedAC]

Thanks for the replies ,much appreciated

Next to museum are some shops.
A Harvard was visible and a likely a Yak (the doors were just partly open)
The museum crew told there was a Fw-190 with propeller problems ,but the Fw remained out of view.

According the website there are still some more exibits around (not on public view)
Nieuports ,Sopwith Camel ,Fokker D-VIII ,Albatross B.II ,Spitfire (NH799) and a A-4 Skyhawk ,just to name a few.

For all future NZ Travellers ,the museum is greatly recommended.


2 more samples
Airworthy Nieuport and original and sole survivor 1913 Caproni Ca.22


Regards

Johan

[DaveM2]

Johan

Pity I didn't know you were coming-could have given you the 'working hangars' tour.
The other two Nieuports, a Stearman and a Fleet 16 are in our hangar, and the Fw190 (problems fixed) and Yak-3 (now flown) are in the next one. There is about to be another project (Yak-9V) starting in its place....
The A-4 is in one of the hangars behind the first row.
The Spitfire will not be here till the end of the year and the Sopwith Pup which flew a few weeks back is hangared out on the airfield itself for now.

Always something going on at Omaka!

Dave

[PreservedAC]

Pity I didn't know you were coming-could have given you the 'working hangars' tour.
Dave

Many thanks for the offer.
I tried to get closer to the shops with help of the museum staff ,but no result.

Next time i'll take the early interislander (without delays hopefully) and spent some more time at Omaka

Regards
Johan

[Gary M]

If I might, I'd like to add my thumb's up for this great museum and airfield!!

If no one minds, I'll post a few photos from my visit there during their incredible air show that I attended "Classic Fighters Omaka 2009". This truly IS well worth a stop and a visit! Here are the WW 1 aircraft. There were some WW 2 warbirds out and about there as well......

[PreservedAC]

If I might, I'd like to add my thumb's up for this great museum and airfield!!

If no one minds, I'll post a few photos from my visit there during their incredible air show that I attended "Classic Fighters Omaka 2009".

Many Thanks ,
Great photowork ,
Don´t mind to see a few more from these events.

B.T.W .There is a report that a Curtiss 75 (project) is around here.

anyone?


Johan

[Dave Homewood]

Yes there is a Curtiss 75, and two P-40's being restored on the airfield, in private hangars. And a lot more. It's one of the most interesting aerodromes anywhere for historic aviation.

[PreservedAC]

Yes there is a Curtiss 75, and two P-40's being restored on the airfield, in private hangars. And a lot more. It's one of the most interesting aerodromes anywhere for historic aviation.

Thanks for the reply

I've already seen the other 3 existing Hawks 75's
The 4th would have been nice

Are there any pictures available of the Finnish Hawk 75?


Kind Regards

Johan

Last edited by PreservedAC on Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, I didn't realise that the type was so rare. I have a bit of a soft spot for the RAF Mohawks that flew against the Japanese in Burma, many of which were flown by RNZAF pilots.

I'll drop a line to Mike who owns it and see if he can come up with some photos.

[PreservedAC]

Photoset update

added on request a full side-view of the Morane-Saulnier BB and also added a few photos of the AW-650 Argosy ZK-SAE ,just down the road from Omaka.



Photoset : http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyQNuWf

Johan