Collections
Tom Baker flies out to New Zealand, to visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, home to a unique collection of World War aircraft and aviation artefacts
In the mid-1990s, historic aircraft were a common sight over the community of Blenheim in Marlborough, on New Zealand’s South Island. The nearby Omaka Airfield, hosting a small yet unique collection of heritage aircraft, began to experience a surge in popularity as news of the collection spread. Tourists flocked to the site, although access to view the aircraft was restricted. An idea grew among enthusiasts to create a dedicated facility at Omaka Airfield where their love of heritage aviation could be shared with the wider community.
In 1997, this idea became a reality with the establishment of the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust – a organisation aimed at fostering growth in the restoration and appreciation of Omaka’s historic aircraft.
The charitable group began to seek support for the creation of a dedicated museum site at Omaka Airfield. The team already had the support of Sir Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and World War One aviation enthusiast. Sir Peter eagerly pledged his…
