Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Encyclopedia
The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is an aviation museum
located at the Omaka Air Field, 5 km (3 mi) from the centre of Blenheim, New Zealand
.
A decade of collaborative activity lead to the establishment of the Marlborough Aviation Cluster, incorporating an aviation business park and the heritage centre. The initiative received support from the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Regional Development Trust. In addition NZ Trade and Enterprise in 2004 contributed NZ$2 million in funding as part of a Major Regional Initiative grant towards stage 1 of the heritage centre.
Stage One of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which occupies some 3,000 sqm of purpose-built display area was officially opened on 9th Dec 2006.
aircraft and rare memorabilia, including a mix of static displays along with flyable planes. The collection (which is on long term loan to the museum) is managed by the 14-18 Aviation Heritage Trust, which is chaired by film director Peter Jackson
. As a result of Jackson’s interest the exhibition which was designed by Joe Blakeley was able to employ the talents of Wellington’s finest set builders, painters and props specialists, in particular those of Weta Workshop
. Despite its complexity the exhibition took less than 10 weeks to complete from design off to opening.
air show, the Omaka airfield plays host to an air show called Classic Fighters
with an emphasis on World War I
aircraft.
memorabilia.
Aviation museum
An aviation museum, air museum or aerospace museum is a museum exhibiting the history and artifacts of aviation. In addition to actual or replica aircraft, exhibits can include photographs, maps, models, dioramas, clothing and equipment used by aviators.Aviation museums vary in size from housing...
located at the Omaka Air Field, 5 km (3 mi) from the centre of Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
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History
A resurgence of heritage aviation interest began in the Marlborough area in the late 1990s when a group of enthusiasts imported two Chinese Nanchang trainers and established the Marlborough Warbirds Association as a way to foster interest and provide a social network of support. As increasing numbers of aircraft began to base themselves at Omaka and word of their existence lead to increasing number of tourists visiting the facilities. In 1997, a small group of aircraft owners and enthusiasts established the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust to provide a means of making the aircraft accessible to the public on a more practical and sustainable basis while acting as catalyst to attract aviation business and investment to the Marlborough region and at the same time grow the public understanding and appreciation of aviation.A decade of collaborative activity lead to the establishment of the Marlborough Aviation Cluster, incorporating an aviation business park and the heritage centre. The initiative received support from the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Regional Development Trust. In addition NZ Trade and Enterprise in 2004 contributed NZ$2 million in funding as part of a Major Regional Initiative grant towards stage 1 of the heritage centre.
Stage One of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which occupies some 3,000 sqm of purpose-built display area was officially opened on 9th Dec 2006.
Knights of the Sky Exhibition
Omaka's first exhibition, “Knights of the Sky”, presents one of the world's largest collections of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
aircraft and rare memorabilia, including a mix of static displays along with flyable planes. The collection (which is on long term loan to the museum) is managed by the 14-18 Aviation Heritage Trust, which is chaired by film director Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Sir Peter Robert Jackson, KNZM is a New Zealand film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, known for his The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , adapted from the novel by J. R. R...
. As a result of Jackson’s interest the exhibition which was designed by Joe Blakeley was able to employ the talents of Wellington’s finest set builders, painters and props specialists, in particular those of Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop is a special effects and prop company based in Miramar, New Zealand, producing effects for television and film.Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger as RT Effects, Weta Workshop has produced creatures and makeup effects for the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys...
. Despite its complexity the exhibition took less than 10 weeks to complete from design off to opening.
Airshow
At Easter on alternate (odd) years to the Warbirds over WanakaWarbirds over Wanaka
Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wanaka, held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years. It is held at Wanaka Airport, 10 km outside Wanaka village. Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis, as a display day for him to play with his collection...
air show, the Omaka airfield plays host to an air show called Classic Fighters
Classic Fighters
Classic Fighters is a biennial airshow in Blenheim, New Zealand, held on the Easter weekend of odd-numbered years. The airshow has been running since 2001, and is held at Omaka Airfield, just outside of the main town of Blenheim. Each year the air show is run with a different theme...
with an emphasis on World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
aircraft.
Collection
The museum's collection contains a wide variety of military aircraft from the First World War as well as artefacts and personal items belonging to some of the most famous aviators of World War I including some items of Baron Manfred von RichthofenManfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
memorabilia.
Aircraft in the collection
The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre contains the following:- Airco DH.2Airco DH.2|-DH.2 aces:Distinguished pilots of the DH.2 included Victoria Cross winner Lanoe Hawker , who was the first commander of No 24 Squadron and ace Alan Wilkinson. The commander of No. 32 Squadron, Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross flying the D.H.2 for single handedly attacking a formation of 10...
. - Albatros B.IIAlbatros B.II|-See also:-References:...
. - Bristol F.2 FighterBristol F.2 FighterThe Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
. Original. Identity D-8040. - Caproni Ca.22
- Airco DH.4
- Airco DH.5Airco DH.5-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. Warplanes of the First World War, Vol. 1. London: MacDonald, 1965, pp. 128–132.* Jackson, A.J. De Havilland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1962....
. Replica. - Etrich Taube
- Fokker D.VIIIFokker D.VIII-See also:-References:* Weyl, A.R. Fokker: The Creative Years. 1988. ISBN 0-851778-17-8....
- Fokker Dr.IFokker Dr.IThe Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
triplane. Four flyable examples are maintained. - Fokker E.IIIFokker E.III|-See also:...
Eindecker - Halberstadt D.IV Replica
- Morane-Saulnier BB.
- Nieuport 27. Replica.
- Pfalz D.IIIPfalz D.III|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
. This is the replica built for use in the movie The Blue MaxThe Blue MaxThe Blue Max is an 1966 British war film about a German fighter pilot on the Western Front during World War I. It was directed by John Guillermin, stars George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress, and features Karl Michael Vogler and Jeremy Kemp. The screenplay was written by David Pursall,...
. - Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Although the first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel and it had a much better overall performance, problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S...
a. Replica. Built by the Vintage Aviator Ltd. - Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was a British two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft of the First World War designed by John Kenworthy. Intended as a replacement for the vulnerable B.E.2, the R.E.8 was more difficult to fly, and was regarded with great suspicion at first in the Royal...
Replica. Built by the Vintage Aviator Ltd. - Siemens-Schuckert D.IVSiemens-Schuckert D.IVThe Siemens-Schuckert D.IV was a late-World War I fighter aircraft from Siemens-Schuckert . Considered by many to be the best fighter to see action during the war, it reached service too late and was produced in too few numbers to have any effect on the war effort.-Earlier designs:Siemens-Schuckert...
- Sopwith PupSopwith PupThe Sopwith Pup was a British single seater biplane fighter aircraft built by the Sopwith Aviation Company. It entered service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service in the autumn of 1916. With pleasant flying characteristics and good maneuverability, the aircraft proved very...
- Sopwith CamelSopwith CamelThe Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
External links
- http://www.omaka.org.nz/ The official website of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
- http://blogs.smh.com.au/trampaboutnz/archives//009735.html Blenheim - The best Museum in the World? Sourced 6 March 2009.
- http://www.nzs.com/new-zealand-articles/motoring/new-zealand-aircraft-history.html Listing of New Zealand Aviation Museums.
- Building the SE.5a, the story of the S.E.5a Reproduction Project at The Vintage Aviator Ltd, New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. - http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/re8-reproduction/vintage-aviator-re8, the story of the S.E.8 Reproduction Project at The Vintage Aviator Ltd, New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
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