Sir Peter Jackson's Knights of the Sky exhibition and more...

[Canestri10]

​Hi All,

Last Thursday morning my Grandfather passed away so in his honour I decided to make the 17 hour trip (13 in car and 4 in boat) from Auckland down to Christchurch.

Living in Auckland you don't get much of the spectacular scenery that is throughout this country so it was good for a city boy to get out on the open road and clear his head.

Another thing I discovered was just how many Aviation heritage centres, Airforce museums and Memorabilia exhibitions this small nation has, the highlight among them definitely being the Sir Peter Jackson's Knights of the Sky collection at Omaka aviation heritage centre including many items actually owned by Hermann Goering.

I have included a collection of photos I took on my cellphone so please excuse the quality as I was in poor lighting conditions as some of you may know trying to take photos at these sort of places can be challenging.

I also included a few of various NZ scenery shots to show you how diverse and beautiful it is and also why us kiwis are so proud to live here.

Enjoy.


View of Mount Ruapehu on a fine day along the Desert Road. (Central North Island)




These 3 aircraft were at Wigram Airforce Museum in Christchurch which my Uncle kindly showed me around being an aviation nut himself



Scenery on the way back up the Kaikoura Coast. (Upper East coast of South Island)








I saw a sign just before arriving in Blenheim advertising Peter Jackson's collection and had a couple of hours to kill before my ferry left. Let's take a look inside...



I was told this is an original Caproni used in the war.






Etrich Taube scene. Weta workshop provided the awesome looking mannequins throughout the entire exhibition, the same academy award winning company who made the orcs and other various costumes in Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit





Various aircraft. Who can name them?


Various uniforms worn during the war



Uniform of German Ace Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp




An original Curtis MF Flying Boat. So cool!





Various Allied aircraft





Giants of the Sky!









There was this amazing scene set in the snow where German soldiers were inspecting a crash site and the 2 pilots greeting each other. Mind blown!





Great Fokker Dr.I collection


Original letter written by Max Immelmann to his mother







Various other Uniforms







All original belongings of the one and only Hermann Goering








Another amazing scene. The crash site of The Red Baron. Soldiers gathering what souvenirs they can.











More eye candy


View of Wellington City from Mount Victoria lookout. (Lower North Island)



Waiouru Army Base Museum drive by

[grumpybear]

Great photos thanks for posting them

[matt56]

Sorry for your loss, Sam. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures.

All the best,
Matt

[flash]

Well done with only a camera phone Sam - thanks for sharing your trip and hoist a cold one to your grandfathers memory for me

[greenalfonzo]

Those were great! Surprised they went with the Hollywood 'Blue Max' camo on the authentic restored Pfalz instead of something historic.

[Guntruck]

There's some great pictures there. Thanks Sam

[john snelling]

Thank you for sharing! What a great exhibition.

[HotleadColdfeet]

Simply amazing photos Sam! I might have to come to New Zealand someday just to see that museum! Those photos are well worth some rep.

[Teaticket]

Thanks for sharing Sam. Sorry to hear about your grand dad. Great photo journey you gave us.

[Willi Von Klugermann]

I really enjoyed the photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Naharaht]

Those are really great photographs, Sam! Thank you for sharing them. That looks like an excellent museum.

[tikkifriend]

Great photos and what looks like a great exhibition as well . Thanks for sharing them.
Paul

[Flying Helmut]

Well done with only a camera phone Sam - thanks for sharing your trip and hoist a cold one to your grandfathers memory for me

What he said!

[spindoc]

Well done with only a camera phone Sam - thanks for sharing your trip and hoist a cold one to your grandfathers memory for me

What he said!

+1. Mind definitely blown. Another reason to visit New Zealand...someday....

[Flying Officer Kyte]

A simply astounding set of pictures Sam.
A fitting tribute to your Grandfather as well.
Thank you for sharing these with us.
Rob.

[Canestri10]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

A very special trip indeed for me. The fact that none of it was planned makes it even more special I guess. I just stumbled upon so many amazing places.

The Wigram Airforce Museum was actually much larger than just those 3 aircraft but I went there about an hour before I went to say goodbye to my Grandfather so wasn't really in the 'taking pictures' mood.

Looking ahead I'm super excited to get down to Warbirds Over Wanaka 2016 next March with my boy. I'm a member of their club so my son and I will get to walk the flight line, meet all the pilots and get a real close look at the beautiful planes. I will make sure I take loads of photos for you guys and post something similar to this.

Anyone who is heading down don't be afraid to message me.

Sam.

[Canestri10]

Those were great! Surprised they went with the Hollywood 'Blue Max' camo on the authentic restored Pfalz instead of something historic.

Hi Kev,

I think the main reason they chose that camo scheme is because that is one of the 2 original aircraft used in the movie, since restored to flying condition.

[Hedeby]

That was fantastic thanks for sharing with us

[Boney10]

Hi Sam, condolences for your loss.
What a great set of pics enjoyed all of them, I think one was a Morane Saulnier BB, the red nosed two seater.
A favourite for me early war.
Have some rep sir

[Jager]

Condolences for your loss, but thank you for sharing the fruits of your trip. It makes me wish even more to travel to New Zealand.

Karl

[Setarius]

Sorry for your loss Sam.
These are some really awesome pictures.
Thanks for sharing these during your time of grief.

[csadn]

I don't recall the US ever having Hurricanes; might it be one of the "rebadged" units for the North Africa invasion? (To lower the risk of "friendly fire", some participating British aircraft had US nat'l markings applied.)

[gully_raker]

Thanks for that collection of Awesome photos Sam.
Definitely worthy of REP!
Your "road trip" & photos are a nice tribute to your Grandfather. R,I,P.

[zenlizard]

Death issues always suck. There should be a better reason to garner such a nice photo collection of aviation history. I think you're right, though New Zealand does have an awesome diversity.

[Stumptonian]

Really great pictures. Love the dioramas especially.
Going to have to revisit this thread several times to do it justice.

Thanks for thinking of us while remembering your Grandfather.

[milcoll73]

my condolences for the loss of your grandfather. really great pictures!!! makes me want to visit even more (my mom tells me we have family in enzed)

[Marechallannes]

Sorry for your loss Sam.

...and thank you to let us participate at this trip.

Great pictures.

[LOOP]

A very nice set of pics

And my condolences for the loss of your grandfather, Sam