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Warbirds & wheels at NZ museum

Mogens Johansen finds an amazing mix of memorabilia.

Classic cars, fighter aircraft, fashion and art displays are usually not found under the same roof but at the Warbirds and Wheels museum, at Wanaka Airport in New Zealand, there is just that.

As the name suggests the museum is mainly filled with aircraft, cars and motorbikes but it is also home to an interesting visual art gallery that include a collection of lithographs and etchings by Grahame Sydney, one of New Zealand’s best-known artists, and a display of unusual gowns created for the annual Wanaka Wearable Creations Show.

The museum’s general manager Naomi Lindsay explains that these extra displays have been included to give the museum a wider appeal, so it is not only for petrolheads.

The first thing I see when I enter the museum is the Roll of Honour Wall which commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by nearly 800 New Zealand pilots and crew who flew fighter aircraft during World War I and World War II.

A McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk A-4K. Picture: Mogens Johansen

Next to that is the Fighter Ace Wall which displays the biographies of 95 of New Zealand’s fighter Aces from WWI and WWII.

The large building is well lit, neat and uncluttered; there is plenty of space to really appreciate the detail of each of the immaculately restored planes, cars and motorbikes from all angles.

The aircraft display traces the evolution of the fighter aircraft from a replica of a 1916 SE5 that was used over the Western Front during WWI to a BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk88 which was used by RNZAF from 1972-91.

The collection of more than 30 cars and 10 motorcycles are all privately owned and they have all been meticulously restored.

The displays and cars change regularly, so there is always something new to see. At the moment a 1924 Duesenberg Rickenbacker Model C Roadster takes centre stage but my favourite is a stunning 1932 Packard Sports Phaeton Model 905.

A Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A and a 1913 De Dion Roadster at the museum. Picture: Mogens Johansen

It is a V12 convertible with stunning lines, sideboards, spoked wheels with white- walled tyres, and an imposing front end with four big headlights, two horns and a very impressive chrome radiator grille.

The rest of the collection, which includes such famous makes as Duesenberg, Packard, Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet, range in age from a 1907 Ford Model K to a 1965 Ford Mustang.

A 1938 Harley Davidson Knuckle Head EL is the oldest bike on display.

I lose track of time while learning a bit of aviation and motoring history and taking pictures of the beautiful cars.

Mogens Johansen was a guest of Air New Zealand and Lake Wanaka Tourism.

FACT FILE

For more information, see warbirdsandwheels.co.nz.

Air New Zealand has daily flights between Perth and Auckland with its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. airnewzealand.com.au or 13 24 76.

Wanaka is about a one-hour drive from Queenstown Airport via the Crown Range and Cardrona Valley.

Alpine ConneXions runs multiple daily bus services between Queenstown and Wanaka. alpineconnexions.co.nz.

For more on visiting Wanaka, see Lake Wanaka Tourism at lakewanaka.co.nz. The Cardrona Hotel is at cardronahotel.co.nz.