Knights of the Sky - The Great War Exhibition in Blenheim
Overview
Inclusions
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Entry/Admission - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, 79 Aerodrome Road, Blenheim 7272 New Zealand
The Knights of the Sky exhibition presents the story of aviation development during World War 1. Sharing the stories of the men and women behind the machines both in the air and on the ground. Captivating scenes created by cinematic experts WingNut Films depict the aircraft in context, sometimes recreating an incident that actually happened in the war. Rare memorabilia is on display, worthy of any national collection and ranges from beautifully crafted ‘trench art’ through to personal items belonging to the famous Red Baron himself.
You can take a self guided tour or guided tours are available on request.
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Food, drink & souvenirs are available for purchase
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Closed Christmas Day
- Warm clothing recommended during the Winter months
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- All guests must be well and are required to sign in for contact tracing purposes.
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- Guests must use the NZ Covid Ap or sign in to assist with contact tracing.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
If you like military planes its a great place to visit. You get great insights seeing the planes up close that you can not get out of a book, and they are well staged. Lots of personalized stories to follow and the older gentleman walking around is well worth talking too. It is worth taking the...
If you like military planes its a great place to visit. You get great insights seeing the planes up close that you can not get out of a book, and they are well staged. Lots of personalized stories to follow and the older gentleman walking around is well worth talking too. It is worth taking the time to go through it.Fabulous private tour with Rachel today - so much background information and knowledge enhanced the tour. Fabulous displays - well done
Fabulous private tour with Rachel today - so much background information and knowledge enhanced the tour. Fabulous displays - well doneThe museum features vintage WWI and WWII aircraft as well as many displays of the different "aces" during those conflicts. They just had time to see the WWI side, but wished we could have seen the other as well. The displays were very well done, including the downing of the Red Baron, Manfred von...
The museum features vintage WWI and WWII aircraft as well as many displays of the different "aces" during those conflicts. They just had time to see the WWI side, but wished we could have seen the other as well. The displays were very well done, including the downing of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, who had 80 "kills". They were proud to note that it was an Australian machine gunner that brought him down. The first man to use a parachute was a New Zealander. The Kiwis and Aussies were used as cannon fodder by the Brits as 67% of New Zealander's and 61% of Australians who fought in WWI were killed. They also had a wonderful display of America's ace, Eddie Rickenbacker (26 kills), that the Smithsonian would covet.I visited the museum during a cruise around New Zealand on Princess cruises with my family, all of whom are keen on aviation. As Blenheim is a small town on the north of the South Island we weren't expecting the visit to be very exciting but we were so wrong. Sir Peter Jackson, the film director...
I visited the museum during a cruise around New Zealand on Princess cruises with my family, all of whom are keen on aviation. As Blenheim is a small town on the north of the South Island we weren't expecting the visit to be very exciting but we were so wrong. Sir Peter Jackson, the film director, established the museum and all the many, many exhibits using his own money. On display were authentic World War 1 aircraft, artefacts, documents, medals etc. which Sir Peter had acquired over the years. One German visitor was heard to remark that the extent of all the exhibits from Germany was unlike anything that he had ever seen in his home country and which included photos and letters from the famous 'Red Baron'. We were well and truly blown away with the exhibits and could have spent much, much longer there and we will most certainly return without the time restraints imposed by the cruise company. There is a combined coffee and souvenir shop with excellent coffee and snacks and some unique souvenirs for sale. If you are in this part of New Zealand I highly recommend a visit, even if you are not particularly keen on aviation as the background history of the conflict is well explained by the guides and the exhibits are beautifully presented.We did a double deal where we saw The Heritage Centre and then the other smaller exhibit. At $39 each for the adults, I thought it was good value. We stayed about 2 1/2 hours. It had been at least ten years since we had been here to the aviation centre. How it has changed. Now they offer flights...
We did a double deal where we saw The Heritage Centre and then the other smaller exhibit. At $39 each for the adults, I thought it was good value. We stayed about 2 1/2 hours. It had been at least ten years since we had been here to the aviation centre. How it has changed. Now they offer flights in planes as well. (Maybe they did then, but I wasn't aware of it). The models and displays are amazing and I can appreciate the time and effort gone into making the details correct. Guides around the displays were knowledgeable, passionate about their job, and with a sense of humour. The shop had lots to offer and supported the RSA. The cafe had lovely coffee. We are lucky to be able to visit such a place and be educated.This exhibition was world class, large collection of planes displayed in dramatic ww1 scenes. Highly recommend
This exhibition was world class, large collection of planes displayed in dramatic ww1 scenes. Highly recommend