Air Heritage Center Opens

[DaveM2]

All

Well after a hectic few weeks the Museum opened to the public on Saturday, and it seems the public are suitably impressed!. A few things still need doing, but things will be worked out as time goes on. Several of the aircraft are flyable and can be rolled out for events when required, the next being 'Classic Fighters' at Easter 2007.
http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/
Hard to capture how life like the mannequins are in the photos..they were done, along with the sets, by Weta workshops, the same people who did the Lord of the Rings props - some talented people I can tell you!
If you want to know a bit more have a look here:
http://www.omaka.org.nz/

[JimH]

Spectacular...after walking through two nearly empty hangars less than 2 weeks ago its amazing they finished all the displays in time. This is a fine tribute to WWI aviation and a must for all that can pay a visit.

Jim

[TimAPNY]

Wow That is unbelievable!
Tim

[Locobuster]

*faints*

[Edward Soye]

Quite impressive. It would be interesting to speak with those who put together the display in order to find out how accurate some of the crashed examples are.

As in did they build an authentic replica, and then replicate damage. Or did they do a movie prop special and make it look right in the places you can see, but not internally.

None the less, looks like a very professional display!

[Russell Smith]

Quite impressive. It would be interesting to speak with those who put together the display in order to find out how accurate some of the crashed examples are.

As in did they build an authentic replica, and then replicate damage. Or did they do a movie prop special and make it look right in the places you can see, but not internally.

None the less, looks like a very professional display!

Ed, I have it from a VERY good source that they built the replicas first and then ripped them apart to simulate damage.

Russ

[JimH]

The collection of static airframes...like the "Nieuport in the tree" and the crashed DR 1 looked to be built to an airworthy standard. The fabric that is torn away from the DR 1 wing reveals the large box spar and multi piece rib structure, like cap stripping and gussets. We were told by our guides that the aircraft not in diorama will be rotated in and out of the museum and flown. Most, if not all are part of Peter Jacksons collection. Other hangars around Omaka contain several WWI projects, including 5 DR1 airframes in one hangar and several wood fuselage frames which I could not identify. One of the most unique sights was a zero timed LeRone Rotary on a test stand that had not been run yet. Lots of good things are happening at Omaka and is certainly a place to watch if you are a WWI buff.

JimH

[Edward Soye]

Ed, I have it from a VERY good source that they built the replicas first and then ripped them apart to simulate damage.

Russ

Hey Russ,

Thanks for answering that one. I had a feeling they were done that way, but its good to hear it from someone who would know.

Cheers

Ed