warbirds in New Zealand

[the65dartguy]

Hello all
I'm writing this post on behalf of my brother -in-law who will be visiting New Zealand soon and wants to know where the good warbird museums/attractions are. If any of you know where these places are (and possibly what they have there) please respond so I can forward the info to him. Thanks for your time!

matt

[Taigh Ramey]

It has been many years since I have been there but the Museum of Transportation and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland is a must see. When I was there they would run up the Merlins on their Lancaster. They had many other one of a kind aircraft.

[Brett]

Use these to start your research...

http://www.warbirds.co.nz/sites.htm

Avspecs
http://www.warbirdrestoration.co.nz/

Pioneer
http://www.pioneeraero.co.nz/

War Memorial
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/
(Spitfire and Zero)

Gisborne Aircraft Preservation Society
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~av8or/GAPS/index.html
(Avenger)

Old Stick & Rudder Co.
http://www.oldstickandrudder.com/

Omaka
http://www.omaka.org.nz/

Ashburton
http://www.ashburton.co.nz/aviation/
(They also have a Canberra cockpit and a Harrier)

Croydon Aircraft Company
http://www.croydonaircraft.com/CAC.html
(DH restoration shop)

Wanaka Transport Museum
http://www.wanakatransportandtoymuseum.com/

Not all of the restoration shops are open to the public, but if your brother in law is in the industry he might be able to get access.

Cheers,

Brett

[DaveM2]

Here's the thread on the AHC in Omaka. Also several hangars with stuff on the airfield, maybe open depending on when he is about.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... age+center

[Dave Homewood]

The best museums are"

The RNZAF Museum at Wigram, Christchurch
http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/

Omaka's Aviation Heritage Centre as noted above

Museum of Transport and Technology
(they have not run the Lancaster engines in years, sadly, it's indoors and fully restored now though. Also worth seeing the Solent and Sunderland, RB-34 and much more)
http://www.motat.org.nz/

Don't forget the RNZAF Ohakea Museum if he's passing there, ut's worth a look (just above Palmerston North)

Also be aware that Pioneer and Avspecs mentioned above are businesses, not museums, so prior arrangement for a tour is probably the best option. They, like all the other people at Ardmore Aerodrome, are very nice and welcoming if you approach them beforehand. Don't forget the NZ Warbirds are based on the same airfield.

There is also Ferrymead Museum in Christchurch which has some aircraft on display too, among a lot of other things.
http://www.ferrymead.org.nz/societies/aeronautical.html

And the Classic Flyers Museum at Tauranga is also excellent.
http://www.classicflyersnz.com/

[the65dartguy]

thanks for all the info guys! I'll pass it along to my brother in law. Wish I was going there!
matt