Omaka airport

[JW]

Not sure where to put this I guess here will do.

I'm heading to Marlborough in a few months mainly to look at the Aviation Heritage centre there. What else aviation wise is there to see at Blenheim?

[lumpy]

Not much really . Theres a few things to look at around the airfield ( such as the Bristol Freighter ) but not too much otherwise . The AHC is well worth the effort by itself though . There is also a vintage/classic car museum just across the road from the AHC .You could pop over to Woodbourne to see the Argosy , but not too much else springs to mind .

[johnnyfalcon]

But the AHC MORE THAN MAKES UP for the lack of anything else!!!!!!

[Dave Homewood]

JW, just down the road is Brayshaw Park which is a little local museum for Blenheim. They have a section about their aviation history, among other interesting displays. Well worth a look if you have the time.

[JW]

Is there any problems I may encounter in having a look at the Bristol Freighter? I had heard of the Argosy being down there but couldn't find till I looked on Google.

Is there any restrictions on taking pics at Omaka Aviation Heritage centre?

[lumpy]

Bristol is able to be viewed , however if you want to look inside then you would need to arrange that ahead of time . Al Marshal ( Radialicious on this forum ) would possibly be able to organise that ( send him a PM , you never know ) . I dont think there are photography restrictions at the AHC , Ive certainly seen plenty of people taking photos .

[Dave Homewood]

AHC allows photos, no problem there. It's very dark there though. A tripod would help.

[JW]

All I have is a point and shoot digital camera. Will have to see about the Bristol. Been wanting to see that for quite a while.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes me too ragrading the camera, and I still managed some ok shots in there. But yes it is pretty dark in parts. Soooo worth visiting though.

In recent times the Bristol has bene parked next to the AHC. Drop the AHC a line and see if it still is, and if someone can maybe open a door for you to look inside.

[nuuumannn]

Go see the Argosy and stop at the cafe; the food is great! If you are into hunting down memorials there is a stone about a mile out of Blenheim township on Dillon's Point Road, which marks the field where the first aeroplane, an Avro 504K landed in Blenheim. Further down that road used to exist a heap of Oxford bits. I found an engine mount on the banks of the river once.



If you want to go for a scenic drive, head out past Renwick; some of the fields around there used to be RNZAF Delta; Dave would be able to tell you more, but go take a look at the Waihopai spy base for kicks!







Don't linger for too long, you'll get chased away!

[baz62]

JW check your PM re the Bristol Freighter.

[fwx]

My first visit to the AHC a couple of weeks ago, and I was blown away by the size and presentation of the collection. World-class, and even non-aeronautically-inclined people would enjoy it, so much history, so many memorabilia, so many great stories. The guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable, and made the visit even more special.

Display lighting is sufficient for good hand-held photos using built-in flash, I was pleased with mine:

[baz62]

Thats a great photo fwx! You been getting pointers from Gavin?? ;D

[fwx]

I wish ...!!!!!

[nuuumannn]

Good photo; more please...

[JW]

So far it looks like the AHC and the Bristol are on the to do list. Lighting looks good for the AHC.

[lumpy]

Jan 29, 2012 16:45:40 GMT 12 JW said:

So far it looks like the AHC and the Bristol are on the to do list. Lighting looks good for the AHC.

Depends how long youre in town , Daves suggestion of visiting Brayshaw park is a good one . Its more interesting if you are into old farm machines etc , but they do have an aviation display in the museam ( and its on the way to Omaka , if your coming from town . ) The Argosy is really only 5 minutes drive away too .

[JW]

I am also considering heading to Nelson to see the Bristol located there. Is there any costs to access where the aircraft is located?

[ErrolC]

Jan 30, 2012 11:57:16 GMT 12 JW said:

I am also considering heading to Nelson to see the Bristol located there. Is there any costs to access where the aircraft is located?

Founder's Heritage park, it's pretty cheap, $7 adult
www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/welcome-to-founders/

Plenty of other things to look at there.

[Dave Homewood]

Omaka really is like the Ardmore of the South, I reckon., There is so much going on there both in the public eye and inside private hangars, lots of historic aircraft abound there.

There are very few days when there is not something of interest either in the air, parked on the grass, or visible in open hangars. The usual rules of egress apply on an active airfield of course, but people seldom leave dissatisfied with what they see going on around the aerodrome coupled with visiting the AHC.

There are 21 aeroplanes displayed within the walls of the AHC, but this apparently does not even represent even a third of the interesting older aircraft on the field. not to mention the more modern aeroclub and GA types there too.

Some of the highlights on the airfield - other than in the AHC - would be an Aeronca Champion, Boeing Stearman, Bücker Jungmann under restoration, a rare Curtiss P-36 Hawk and a couple of P-40's under restoration, some Tiger Moths under restoration, Fleet 16B, FlugWerk FW190, Junkers 87 Stuka Replica, Hawker Hurricane replica, lots of Nanchangs, a Porterfield, some Harvards under restoration and lots of other non-AHC WWI projects.

Well worth a visit,

I am told that next Saturday, 4th February, would be a good day to plan a visit, as Omaka are having a bit of an open day and there should be a few machines out on the grass by the AHC, and likely some flying, including a Luftwaffe presence (major hints here).