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Post by patmurphy on Mar 7, 2012 9:21:36 GMT 12
Hello New Zealand aviation enthiusiasts, My name is Pat and I am new on this forum. I live in the UK and we are very lucky to have a thriving Warbird movement here, I visit Duxford at least 2 or 3 times a year for shows. ( I count myself privileged to have seen the late great Ray Hanna display MH434 on more than one occasion) Anyway, as part of a special family holiday to your beautiful country, I am looking to drag the rest of my not so enthiusiastic family around as many museums as possible. I know I will miss Wanaka's show  (We have to travel in December) but we are over there for the month so I am aware of Wanaka and Omaka and also Ardmore but I would be grateful if anyone could offer any advice on the following: 1. Are their any smaller shows not publicised in the UK during December. 2. I have a special affection for Mosquitos. ( I was lucky enough to work briefly as an apprentice on RR299 at Broughton, sad day when she was lost). Is it possible to visit Avspecs and their restoration of KA114. I am aware that they are forecasting to complete the restoration by Q3 of this year. 3. Does anyone operate any warbird flights at all? I am keen to break my duck in a T6 or maybe something more exotic... I hope someone is able to help me in my quest and I apologise for the length of this post but if anyone can help me I would be grateful for any messages either via PM or on board. Thanks for reading, Pat Murphy, North Wales, UK |
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 7, 2012 10:20:04 GMT 12
Welcome Pat, Note the calendar on this site. It is only as good as the info supplied to Dave (the Admin) of course. In recent years Warbirds at Ardmore have had an Open Day on the Saturday nearest to December 7th. I don't know if this is tentatively scheduled for 2012. If your family can be distracted by calling at vineyard or three, you could visit The Vintage Aviator at Masterton, they do hangar tours in weekends over summer. Alternatively, can be done as a day trip (by car or train) from Wellington if a city is a better distraction. And to mention some additional museums to make sure you have them covered: MOTAT (includes Mossie) Auckland War Memorial (Spitfire and Zero) Classic Flyers Tauranga (Stearman flights may be available from here???) Ashburton Wigram (Christchurch) You should be able to arrange a visit to Don Subritzky's collection just north of Auckland. rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=airshow&action=display&thread=13016Also there are lots of de Havillands at Mandeville, Southland available for hire. Are you also interested in military matters? We can give you a few pointers. |
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Post by patmurphy on Mar 7, 2012 12:05:36 GMT 12
Wow, That was quick, Thank you ErrolC for the fast response. I wasn't aware of MOTAT and the new aviation hall looks tremendous. As does the collection of Mr Subritzky, A Vickers Vincent, amazing. In fact all your places mentioned will go on "The List". I would like particularly, to visit the Ardmore Mossie as well though and I am going to email them to see how amenable they are to visits. As for military stuff...Yes Please  |
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 7, 2012 16:35:30 GMT 12
And dont forget Warbirds at Ardmore, the DC3 flights from there, the Fox Moth and Dragon flights from NorthShore while there are Stearman rides also around.
Pat if you are in Auckland give me a pm for a MOTAT insiders tour , and I am certain Avspecs will be happy to see you.
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 10, 2012 7:19:36 GMT 12
As for military stuff...Yes Please Coastal defence forts (late 19th century-mid 20th): Classic Flyers www.classicflyersnz.com/ at Tauranga has a good military vehicle collection (not that you would know from their website). Vehicles are from Tauwhare Military Museum nz.vicdir.com/sn117727-0-tauwhare-military-museum.htmwww.armymuseum.co.nz/ - You can leave the family in Taupo, and make a day trip out of it. Tawhiti Museum, near Hawera, south Taranaki. www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz/ Excellent small-town museum, with a huge member of dioramas and figures, Maori pa cut-aways etc. There are Maori Wars battle sites and blockhouses etc scattered about (mainly Northland, Waikato, and Taranaki), check out the local Visitor Info Centres. |
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 10, 2012 10:28:12 GMT 12
Errol, why cant we (the forum) put togetther a list of say 100 must sees during your visit to NZ. Maybe subbed into Aviation,army, Navy catagories so intending tourists can do a bit of pre planning.
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 10, 2012 11:46:00 GMT 12
Errol, why cant we (the forum) put togetther a list of say 100 must sees during your visit to NZ. Maybe subbed into Aviation,army, Navy catagories so intending tourists can do a bit of pre planning. Yes, I was thinking about the best way to do that (without it causing Dave undue work). A wiki page would be great in theory, I don't think the set-up hassle would be worth it for just a couple of pages of output. |
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Post by patmurphy on Oct 3, 2012 10:29:00 GMT 12
Sorry to bump this thread but things have become firmed up over the last few months. Accommodation is booked, as are flights and a car. I now know where I will be and when. It looks like I can fit in the following (as long as the other 5 members of the party don't object too much  ) MOTAT (In Auckland for a couple of days so should fit it in) Wigram RNZAF Museum Omaka (hope to get a flight in a Stearman here ;D) Masterton: It will be a weekday so I am hoping to get added to a tour if enough numbers can be raised. Ardmore. again a weekday so does anyone know if I can get access to the Warbirds Hangar and where about it is? It looks very sadly, that the Mossie may either be in bits or gone by then but I live in hope... Tauranga, This may be a long shot but we'll see. I am in Nelson for 5 days in December (12th to the 16th) Does anyone know if Mr and Mrs Reid can be contacted and are they amenable to visitors to the fantastic Anson? Obviously I would fully respect their wishes either way. Thanks again, Wings members, in advance for any help given. I can be contacted on board or via PM if you prefer. Pat |
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Post by vs on Oct 3, 2012 11:19:11 GMT 12
Try and do MOTAT on a Wednesday if you can as all the guys are working on the aircraft...make sure you go out the back to where the Solent, Sunderland, DC3 and Lexington are...can be easily missed
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(We have to travel in December) but we are over there for the month so I am aware of Wanaka and Omaka and also Ardmore but I would be grateful if anyone could offer any advice on the following:
)
