Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Hi Everyone

I have just returned from a whirlwind holiday in New Zealand and wanted to pass on how good I thought the Omaka museum is. I am not normally interested in WW1 but found the whole experience absolutely outstanding. For starters I paid $5 extra and had my own personal guide for 2 whole hours and this chap had served in the RNZAF right from Lancasters up to Canberras and many things in between!

Every exhibit was of the highest quality from the ‘only one in the world’ type aircraft to the priceless artifacts and the brilliant dioramas produced by Peter Jacksons Weta Workshop – the same people who did Lord of the Rings.

Some of the highlights were Ernst Udets Blue Max, Eddie Rickenbackers flight suit, a collection of original aircraft artwork and markings, Von Richtofen memorobilia and the dioramas- I particularly liked the soldiers strippping the Red Barons Triplane and the Nieuport in the tree. At the risk of offending some people there was none of the ‘this piece of rusty twisted metal was once a hinge from the toilet seat of the …..’ every item there was worthy of being a centrepiece all on its own.

Photography was allowed for ‘personal use only’ so I am not sure if I should post any here, but you can see some great photos on the museums website http://www.omaka.org.nz/omgallery/index.htm

Anyway I just wanted to say congratulations on a very impressive museum to the people running it and a big recommendation to anyone who may find themselves in that area to take the time for a visit.

Cheers Paul