Warbirds and Wheels, Wanaka

Hi Guys, when I was notified of the cancellation of this year's Warbirds over Wanaka airshow, I read that the excellent little Warbirds and Wheels museum shut its doors for the last time last year. This is disappointing but not surprising, the tourist industry has received a hammering in these parts. The museum wasn't large but incorporated a small collection of airframes and some very nice automobiles from private collections. It was housed in the building that used to be home to the Alpine Fighter Collection and the New Zealand Fighter Pilot's Museum that wound up some years back and carried on the reminder of Sir Tim Wallace's legacy in creating Wanaka as a world class warbird hub and airshow event. So, here are some highlights from the now defunct Warbirds and Wheels at Wanaka Airport. These pictures were taken over two different years during visits to the airshow.

SE.5a reproduction. This has been moved north to Omaka, so I believe.

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Hawker Hurricane reproduction. This full-scale replica is in the markings of the aircraft that was flown by Edgar "Cobber" Kain that was restored here in New Zealand but is now living in France. This one is also at Omaka now.

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Here's the restored original making an appearance at Flying Legends in 2018.

Hurricane static-4

Vampire.

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Strikemaster.

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A-4K. This, the Strikemaster and Vampire have been returned to the Air Force Museum.

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Now some of those pretty cars.

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That's it from the Warbirds and Wheels Museum. More images here: Warbirds and Wheels Museum

Thanks for looking.

good stuff Grant.

beggining to wonder if i'll ever see an airshow again !

Same Karl but this too will pass. Good pics Grant.

Good shots Grant!

Great shots