Tauranga Museum models

[kiwi]

A few years ago there was a museum set up like a an old settlement in Tauranga . It closed , but while it was in existance it had a fairly large collection of aircraft models . Many of the models were interesting as they were old Frog kits though by and large the build quality was not great . However besides this there was a complete collection of 1/72 scale kits of all the aircraft that took part in the MacRobertson , London to Melbourne air race of 1934 , many if not all of these were scratch built and the build standard was very high . I heard that the aircraft kits were sent to Paraparaumu for a future museum there . Does any one know anything about this collection of models , who built them or their current position or state ? This air race collection was really worth seeing .

[Bruce]

yeah I remember the MacRobertson race collection, I wonder where that has gone? I know the classic flyers Museum has some models on display in the reference library, but they arent that high a quality and certainly werent the MacRobertson collection.

[kiwi]

The Classic Flyers Mueseum was not around at the time the other museum was closed , but the Classic Flters Museum would be a good place for those models to be displayed properly and safely. I think the people at the Classic Flyers are doing a great job , it is well worth a visit , and it has expanded steadily since its inception .

[Calum]

kiwi said:

A few years ago there was a museum set up like a an old settlement in Tauranga . It closed , but while it was in existance it had a fairly large collection of aircraft models . Many of the models were interesting as they were old Frog kits though by and large the build quality was not great . However besides this there was a complete collection of 1/72 scale kits of all the aircraft that took part in the MacRobertson , London to Melbourne air race of 1934 , many if not all of these were scratch built and the build standard was very high . I heard that the aircraft kits were sent to Paraparaumu for a future museum there . Does any one know anything about this collection of models , who built them or their current position or state ? This air race collection was really worth seeing .

A few years ago Man I used to sneak in there as a kid (20 plus years ago) I never saw these models though

It is still there (well bits of it) but it's a craft/function centre now I believe.

Can't help witht he models but I agree, the musemn at the Mount would be a good place for them and is worth a visit if you're in the area.