Omaka Visit

[Boreas]

I was lucky enough to go to Omaka in Blenheim, New Zealand recently.

I thought I'd upload a few of the snaps I took - including a photo of the site-map flyer they give you.

Hope you enjoy chaps & chapettes.

Philip

[gully_raker]

Thanks Phillip for those great photos of the Dioramas.
Omaka is No.1 on my Bucket List.

[Teaticket]

Thanks for sharing Philip. Great photos of some wonderful dioramas.

[clipper1801]

Got our tickets and can hardly wait! Mrs Clipper and I will be there in August, where did you stay and what all did you do? We are planning 3 days there . . . will that be enough and any suggestions for the stay? Sadly the elves have lost their passports . . .

[Naharaht]

Thank you for those great photographs, Philip! Those are very dramatic dioramas.

[Boreas]

Got our tickets and can hardly wait! Mrs Clipper and I will be there in August, where did you stay and what all did you do? We are planning 3 days there . . . will that be enough and any suggestions for the stay? Sadly the elves have lost their passports . . .

Blenheim is a town of 30,000 souls, so there's a bit to do there - although much of it is in the outlying areas.
I will not give you the name of our Motel, as the walls were paper thin & sleep was not in great abundance as a result.

If you like wine - book yourself into a winery tour - they do full & half-day ones.
Omaka itself - well they suggest 45 mins (I think) to do each of the WWI & WWII exhibitions. My wife (who's not ALL that
interested) & I had sore feet after 90 mins in the WWI hall alone. I could have gone longer, but took pity on the poor wee
lass. (Note: Her smiling in front of the Taube was 5 mins in...)

I'll provide more info via PM.

[flash]

Great photos Philip - better spoil you missus after that stint, or, you might find yourself on the receiving end !

[mikeemagnus]

Great photos - One day, perhaps, we might even get over there to see it for ourselves Thanks for sharing.

[Flying Helmut]

Many thanks for posting the photos.

Looks like a grand place to visit.

[Baxter]

Nice pictures thanks for posting them.

[grumpybear]

Great pics thanks for posting them

[BobP]

Can only agree with the others. Great photos.

[Jager]

Nice set of pics, Phillip.
Thanks for sharing the experience!
Karl

[Rebel]

Ditto what they all said.
What is the story of Grid's Great Escape from the SE5a?

[Rebel]

Ditto what they all said.
What is the story of Grid's Great Escape from the SE5a?

I have just read up on 'Grid' who was the New Zealand pilot Kieth Caldwell who guided his stricken SE5a down to earth while standing on the lower wing. He apparently jumped from the wing seconds before it crashed and walked away without a scratch! Remarkable!

[clipper1801]

I have just read up on 'Grid' who was the New Zealand pilot Kieth Caldwell who guided his stricken SE5a down to earth while standing on the lower wing. He apparently jumped from the wing seconds before it crashed and walked away without a scratch! Remarkable!

Definitely a great candidate for my last SE5 repaint!

[Boreas]

Great photos Philip - better spoil you missus after that stint, or, you might find yourself on the receiving end !

Heh - cheers for the advice...
However, I think she surprised herself at how interesting she found it all. It was definitely not all down to me that we stayed
90 mins in that one hall. (Thankfully the WWII display is quite a lot smaller, so we scooted through in about 30 mins & took a
load off!)

[Boreas]

Definitely a great candidate for my last SE5 repaint!

You'll be able to take all the reference photos you want for yourself soon David!

One thing before I forget - Omaka's advertising says it has a great cafe on the premises.
It probably does, but don't count on it for a decent meal. Think more like tea/coffee & a piece of cake...
We needed something a bit more substantial, & so only had a cold drink between exhibits & then went
off-site for some proper food.

That said, the staff were all lovely. You'll have a great time chatting to any of the old codgers inside
who do the tour guiding. We didn't book ourselves onto a tour, as I wanted to take my own time, but
3 of the guides chatted to us at different times & weren't stingy with their knowledge or time.

Also, if you want a ride in the Stearman biplane - book ahead. You can't turn up on the day & expect
a ride.

The shop is not extensive, but does have some memorabilia (t-shirts etc) as well as some model kits.

[Archidamus]

Nice pics Phillip

[Boreas]

Okay - got around to posting a couple more...
Enjoy y'all.

[gully_raker]

Thanks for those additional great shots.

Did you take any of the Uniform displays etc?

[Boreas]

Thanks for those additional great shots.

Did you take any of the Uniform displays etc?

Welcome!
Unfortunately no on the uniform front.
New camera & an inability to get decent photos/know what I was doing wrong meant that nothing worthwhile
came of my endeavours...