A mate and I visited Ardmore today, which is the main aeroclub and Warbirds aerodrome for Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city.
Sadly I don’t have any photos as I was filming with the digital video camera. But I have to say that we were both impressed by the great hospitality displayed by the members of NZ Warbirds who welcomed us into their midst when we turned up unannounced. They were very happy for us to both wander around filming, with access to all areas, going where we liked, etc. And they were all happy to answer any questions, etc.
I have visited there before of course, but mostly on airshow days when there were thousands of people around. But this time I was able to get up close and personal with the Harvards, P51D, Trojan, Beaver, Catalina, Chipmunk, CT-4A, etc there without so much as a withering glance from the owners and other members.
It is really nice to know that this place has such welcoming people who are willing to take the time to allow the public into their hangar for a look round, and to answer any questions. Well done NZ Warbirds, an excellent attitude. And even better there is no fee to get in or anything. And no rope barriers, etc.
I hope no-one ever abuses the wonderful priviledges we were shown, I think such access is smashing and must be encouraging to visitors from all walks of life.
Sadly the weather closed in and the Mustang was rolled back into the hangar after it had been fuelled for a flight. The owner/pilot was most apologetic as if he’d let us down. Hey, a torrential downpour is hardly his fault. But the members assured us that on any fine Sunday there is usually a lot of activity and Warbirds flying there, even right through Winter on fine days, and that we were welcome back anytime for a look at the planes in action. Mike and I plan to take them up on this for sure. 🙂
Something to bear in mind for anyone thinking of visiting Auckland, NZ – Ardmore on a Sunday is a must – free airshow if it’s fine weather!
By: OFMC Fan - 30th May 2004 at 13:27
Dave,
Pioneer Aero located on the other side.near Massey Aviation/Flightline Maint. Hanger.
Curtiss P-40 as far as I know ..still owned by Garth Hogan,real nice guy.
Aviation shop not open…didnt miss anything at all.
Devon located near Warbirds hanger ,but not generally open to public.
Vampire now at CHCH airport,new owner.
A nice curry at Mercer..have to check that one out!
By: Dave Homewood - 30th May 2004 at 11:29
Did you manage to see the Pioneer Aero hanger at all .You might have seen the OFMC P-40 Kittyhawk being worked on?
OFMC Fan
Ahhh Blast It All. I didn’t know it was even there. Otherwise we would have tried to check it out if anyone had been there. We did consider trying to find Pioneer but decided as it is a business and not a hobby club that no-one would be there on a Sunday afternoon. But maybe we should have perservered. I’m not even sure where Pioneer is situated on the airfield – is it over the other side by Massey and the Tower?
We did take a look at the other resident P40, the one in Australian colours with the Magpie nose art. Not sure who owns it now. Saw the Hunter and half another Hunter in the same hangar, but this lot wasn’t connected with NZ Warbirds – although the mechanics there were also quite welcoming.
The only niggle I have with Ardmore is that the aviation shop doesn’t open on Sundays, which is a shame if that is the day that the Warbirds will be flying and attracting visitors. A pity. I was keen to have a look in there, haven’t been in there for years.
I was thinking afterwards, we didn’t see the Devon, nor the Vampires or any Yaks or Tiger Moths, which always seem to be associated with NZ Warbirds gatherings, as well as Austers, the Cessna Dragonfly and various Vietnam war era light planes, so I assume the Warbirds have other hangarage around the airfield and elsewhere.
But what we did see was fantastic. The Dakota was sitting over by the Tower, and we were told we were welcome to go take a look if we were careful crossing the taxi ways. etc, but we decided not to as we’d both seen it up close many times, and it was chucking it down in bucketfulls by then.
And to top things off on the way home we had a fantastic curry from the always-excellent Mombai Masala in the foodcourt at Mercer – our compulsory stopping point whenever travelling between Cambridge and Auckland – Voted by myself and many well-travelled friends as the best curry purveyors in the world hands down! (Unbelievable when foodcourt food is usually uneatable, but their’s is unbeatable). So all in all a very satisfying and happy day despite the por weather.
By: OFMC Fan - 30th May 2004 at 10:40
Nice one Dave.Glad you enjoyed the visit to NZ Warbirds
For those wanting to find out more,
Did you manage to see the Pioneer Aero hanger at all .You might have seen the OFMC P-40 Kittyhawk being worked on?
OFMC Fan
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May 30, 2004 at 10:22 am