High above the anonymous mud and squalor of the WW1 trenches flew a relatively few airmen, who faced the challenge of individual battles in machines that were at the cutting edge of technology. Their stories are ones of personal triumph and trailblazing for those who followed.
The Knights of the Sky exhibition at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre brings this important period in aviation history to life. The display's realism and creativity have received worldwide acclaim.
About Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Located at Marlborough's historically significant Omaka Aerodrome, the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was established to provide a world-class destination for appreciating historic aircraft. Some of New Zealand's most respected cinematic and special effects craftsmen have created a dramatic aviation theatre in which original and full-scale replica WW1 aircraft - both static and flyable - are presented in all their glory.
Knights of the Sky
Omaka's exhibition, “Knights of the Sky,” occupies some 3,000 sqm of purpose-built display area. It comprises one of the world's largest World War 1 aircraft collections and rare memorabilia, including a mix of dramatically staged static displays and flyable aeroplanes.
The collection is on long-term loan from film director Sir Peter Jackson. Thanks to Sir Peter’s generosity, the aircraft have been brought to life in a series of dioramas created by Wingnut Films and enhanced with lifelike mannequins by Weta Workshop.
The extensive dioramas take you back to a time long gone and almost forgotten when the harshness and cruelty of the war in the trenches contrasted with the chivalry and bravado of the war in the air. When SE5as and Fokker Triplanes went head to head, the steeds of these latter-day knights of the air jousting for survival. This spectacular experience, enhanced with special effects lighting, is designed to be both educational and entertaining for all ages.
Dangerous Skies
The highly anticipated unveiling of Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre’s new exhibition, ‘Dangerous Skies,’ took place on November 1, 2016. Featuring stories from World War II, visitors are taken on a geographical as well as a historical journey. These are tales of daring, valour, and tragedy stretching from the British Isles to the forests of Germany, an embattled but courageous Russia, and the steaming hot jungles of Southeast Asia.
Undoubtedly, two of the star attractions of the new exhibition are a twin-engine bomber, the world’s only flyable Mk1 Avro Anson and a Griffon-powered Mk.XIVe Spitfire. Let us not forget the men that flew these magnificent machines and this time, women also feature more prominently. Russia’s Lydia Litvyak, or the “White Lily of Stalingrad” as she was known in Soviet press releases, was the top-scoring female ace and has been brought to life with a hauntingly life-like mannequin fashioned by the cinematic geniuses at Weta Workshop.
Dangerous Skies may be a darker exhibition than Knights of the Sky, but there are also moments of light amongst the darkness. Such as the tale of New Zealander James Hayter, a pilot in the RAF who was shot down over England only to parachute into the middle of a garden party. In direct contrast, Southern Russia was the stage for the Battle of Stalingrad, a military engagement that saw terrible losses for both Russia and Germany. This section of the exhibition comprises memorabilia and an immersive experience that is entertaining and chillingly thought-provoking.
A Dream Takes Flight - The Development of the Omaka AHC
The Aviation Heritage Centre was born of a love of aviation, an appreciation of its role in history and a recognition of its value to our future. It began with a resurgence of heritage aviation interest in Marlborough in the late 1990s when a group of enthusiasts imported two Chinese Nanchang trainers and established the Marlborough Warbirds Association as a way to foster interest and provide a social network of support. The sound of the Nanchang's radial engines was heard over Blenheim drawing curious spectators and, increasingly, other heritage aircraft.
As word of the growing range and rarity of aircraft stored at Omaka spread, tourists also began knocking on the hangar doors. In 1997, a small group of aircraft owners and enthusiasts got together to discuss how these aircraft could be made accessible to the public on a more practical and sustainable basis, growing the public's understanding and appreciation of aviation. It culminated in the formation of the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust. Their vision was that this facility should be a hub, a focal point of activity reaching aviation, tourism, education and industry to benefit the Marlborough community, New Zealand and aviation enthusiasts worldwide. That vision has taken shape as a permanent “living” centre of aviation heritage designed to fascinate, educate and inspire visitors of all ages while forming the nucleus for a broader centre of aviation excellence, including aircraft restoration/paint/upholstery, vintage/warbird experience flights - even whole aircraft manufacture.
The establishment of the Marlborough Aviation Cluster has been key to the development. This initiative has received strong support from the Marlborough District Council and Marlborough Regional Development Trust, both of whom recognised aviation as a key driver in Marlborough's economy and successfully applied to NZ Trade and Enterprise for a Major Regional Initiative grant to build Stage One of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
The Omaka Heritage
Marlborough has a rich history of aviation dating back to the late 1890s, when the first recorded aerial topdressing flight took place by hot air balloon. Its first aerodrome, located at Omaka, has an immense heritage of pioneering activity, including hosting New Zealand's first air pageant in 1930. The local borough set aside land for the Omaka Aerodrome in 1920, and the aerodrome was established in 1921.
Omaka soon became a regular stopping point for military aircraft passing through at the time. In 1928, the Marlborough Aero Club hosted Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm following their triumphant first aerial crossing of the Tasman Sea. Arriving in Christchurch, the famous airmen elected to visit Omaka before departing for Australia. Jean Batten brought her Percival Gull to Omaka during her countrywide tour following her famous pioneering solo flight from England, and Ernle Clark landed at Omaka following his successful solo flight from the UK just two weeks later.
While Omaka hosted pioneer flyers worldwide, it also produced a few of its own, including Arthur Clouston, who learned to fly at Omaka. He is recognised for piloting one of history's most spectacular flights, which commenced in London and saw him and his passenger fly across the world via Australia to land at Omaka Aerodrome before turning around the next day and heading back to England, completing a record-breaking trip that lasted less than 11 days.
The aerodrome, its buildings and facilities, became the nucleus of an RNZAF station for the duration of WWII. In more recent times, interest in historic and ex-military aircraft has seen the arrival of machines that hark back to earlier times at Omaka. The airfield has remained essentially a large square paddock, making it very attractive to operators of early aircraft types such as the Spitfire and the WWI machines that were never designed to fly from runways. These aircraft are now being restored at Omaka, and this activity is set to grow in the Aviation Business Park that is adjacent to the Heritage Centre. They're also flown in Omaka's biennial “Classic Fighters” airshow, the principal fundraising event for the Centre, and since its inception in 2001, it has already gained an international following.
Future Developments
Our magnificent Knights of the Sky display has received international acclaim, and accolades for the newly opened Dangerous Skies are coming in. However, the journey is far from over; we have many more stories to tell.
Omaka has its place in New Zealand's aviation history and now aviation history has found a place at Omaka.
79 Aerodrome Road, Omaka, Marlborough, New Zealand 7272.
Photos: Roderick Eime 2017
