Aviation Museums

and airworthy collections

NEW ZEALAND

Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum

79 Aerodrome Road, Blenheim, Marlborough 7272

Date of visit: 28th February 2017

A resurgence of heritage aviation interest in Marlborough was created in the late 1990's when a group of enthusiasts imported two Chinese Nanchang trainers and established the Marlborough Warbirds Association. This attracted an increasing number of other heritage aircraft to be based there, which in turn grabbed the attention of aviation enthusiasts and tourists alike. In 1997, a small group of aircraft owners and enthusiasts got together and formed the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust (NZAMT) to make these aircraft more accessible to the public on a more practical and sustainable basis, and to grow the public understanding and appreciation of aviation. During the years of planning and fundraising, including the biennial Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow, the group was joined by film director, Sir Peter Jackson. In December 2006, the ‘Knights of the Sky’ exhibition opened presenting one of the world's largest collections of World War I aircraft and rare memorabilia. It includes a mix of static and airworthy aircraft in a series of dioramas.

Their 2nd exhibition ‘Dangerous Skies’ opened on 1st December 2016 featuring aviation from World War II.

With a number of the aircraft being airworthy, exhibits may differ to those seen on this visit

Reception

Morane Saulnier Type G

'316' Replica - BAPC.614

'Knights of the Sky' exhibition

Airco DH.2

ZK-JOJ / 100 / 7855 Replica

Breguet 14.A2

9819 / 13 Replica

Caproni Ca.22

BAPC.611

Curtiss MF Flying Boat

USN A5543 / cn NC903 Original

Airco DH.4

DH-4M A.S. 63786 / cn 652 built by Boeing under license in the USA. 1 of 2 original examples known to survive

Etrich Taube

Fokker Dr.I Scout Triplane

4 airworthy examples are maintained

ZK-FOT / 454/17 Replica

ZK-JOK / 588/17 Replica

ZK-FOC / cn W102 Replica

ZK-FOK / cn AACA/266/2

The 'Baron's last flight' diorama

BAPC.612

Fokker E.III Eindecker

105/15 Replica - BAPC.613

Halberstadt D.IV

ZK-JOW / cn S-11 Replica

Morane-Saulnier BB

A301 Replica - BAPC.615

Nieuport 24bis

ZK-NIE / cn PM7668 Replica

Nieuport 27

R2812 Replica - BAPC.616

Pfalz D.III

ZK-JPI / cn PT.16 Replica built by Hampshire Aeroplane for use in the movie The Blue Max [ ex- N905AC / EI-ARD / G-ATIJ ]

Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8

A4397 Replica built by the Vintage Aviator Ltd

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a

D6864 Replica built by the Vintage Aviator Ltd - BAPC.617

Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

N2160F / HW-003 Replica

Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout

BAPC.618

'Dangerous Skies' exhibition

Hawker Hurricane I

P2916 / UP-D Replica

In honour of F/O James C.F.Hayter, 605 Squadron who gained his wings at the Marlborough Aero Club before joining the RNZAF and RAF. He fought with distinction in the Battle of Britain and was shot down in P2916 on 26 October 1940.

Avro 652A Anson Mk1

ZK-RRA / K6183 / VX-B (ex-MH120)

Airworthy

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk

RCAF 1034 / PN

Junkers Ju87B 'Stuka'

T6 + CD - BAPC.572

Replica

Yak-3M

ZK-VVS / cn 0470106

Diorama depicting the story of the first woman fighter ace Lydia Litvyak 'the White Rose of Stalingrad', who flew with the Soviet Air Force during WWII. http://www.fighterflights.co.nz

Airworthy

Supermarine 379 Spitfire FR.XIV

NH799 / ZK-XIV (ex- G-BUZU)

Airworthy

Other Aircraft seen in the adjacent JEM Aviation Ltd hangars / compound 28/02/2017

Established in 2006, JEM aviation is recognized as one of New Zealand’s leading aircraft restoration and maintenance facilities, specialisings in classic, antique and warbird aircraft and in particular for those from the Eastern Bloc.