In September I took a short holiday in the top of the South Island, visiting family. While not an aviation-themed trip, per se, I did come back with a few photos of interest.
I had known that the RNZAF’s first Lockheed C-130J-30 was airborne in some part of the country earlier in the day, but imagine my surprise when, sitting in my sister’s house in Blenheim, I realised that it had just landed at Woodbourne! When my brother-in-law asked “Shall we drive over and see it?” I didn’t need to be asked twice.
While in Blenheim, I finally took the opportunity to visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. I have been to three air shows at Omaka over the years but never had the time to look through the museum.
The displays are in two halls — World War 1 and World War 2. The more spectacular aircraft displays are in the former.
The World War 2 hall had less in the way of amazing dioramas, but one stood out for me as the best display out of both exhibits.
I was with a guide at the time and I said “I have to ask, because neither answer makes sense. Is the foliage real?” It’s not. But it sure looks real. What this photo doesn’t show is the height of this jungle. It was just incredible.
There are a handful more photos on Flickr from the museum.
Other than the museum, there were a few interesting aircraft around the airfield.
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