Warbirds flying high after 60 years

By IMOGEN NEALE - Papakura Courier
Last updated 05:00 06/01/2010
The collection of grand old military planes in the New Zealand Warbird Association's Ardmore hangar bears testimony to the adage that time heals all wounds.

Most of the planes hail from the World War Two era but with the end of the war came the end of the planes' purpose in life.

To many people the hulking giants became nothing more than a painful reminder of the horror the world had managed to survive.

Sixty years later people have a greater awareness of the role the military planes played in both peacekeeping and combat.

In New Zealand that's in large part because of the efforts of the Warbirds Association.

Established in 1978 the association is dedicated to the restoration, preservation and operation of service aircraft in flying condition.

President Gavin Trethewey says the association's unique on the international stage because it has a headquarters and a social facility and many of its members' planes are gathered together in hangars at Ardmore airfield.

And while some of those hangars might have closed doors or private signs hanging from their handles there's one the public are more than welcome to peruse.

The Warbirds visitor centre is home to a medley of planes - from T28 Trojan to the smaller scale Isaacs Fury.

Carefully packed into the hangar, the planes all have gleaming paint jobs that proudly display their service heritage.

In November the association celebrated the opening of a new library, briefing room and viewing platform in what used to be "a junk storage area" in the cavernous hangar.

"We thought the space should be better utilised - the vision is to get more people interested in the history," Mr Trethewey says.

The library is named after Trevor - better know as TT - Bland, the patron and founding president of the association, and its shelves are full of donated books, magazines and memorabilia.

At the library's opening Mr Trethewey called it "one of the most comprehensive aviation reference libraries in the country".

"We deal with lots of groups - from school kids to seniors. We've never had a facility to entertain them that was safe and comfortable."

He says they'd prefer not to have people on the floor "bashing their heads against aeroplanes".

The visitor centre is expected to be completed by early next year and the association is aiming to offer guided tours of the hangar with access to the library, viewing platform and display cabinets.

The hangar is located off Harvard Lane at the Ardmore airfield.

For more information and opening hours see www.nzwarbirds.org.nz.

New Aviation Library Officially Opened

New Zealand Warbirds are developing a Visitor Centre complex as part of their main hangar at Ardmore Airport. The first step has been the recent official opening and dedication of the “TTBland Library”- an aviation library resource which brings together the great number of aviation related books and magazines and memorabilia that have been donated over many years. ‘TT’ or Trevor Bland is well-known and respected internationally as the founder President and Patron of New Zealand Warbirds and it was his foresight and vision that provided the leadership to form and develop the organisation more than 30 years ago.

At the cocktail function held last Wednesday, invited guests included Papakura MP, Minister of Police Judith Collins and representatives from local councils, the RNZAF and organisations and Ardmore airport businesses closely linked with the Warbirds.

In his welcoming speech, President Gavin Trethewey said ..   “This evening is to thank the many folk who have contributed their time and/or donated material to enable the Library to become a reality. From the many compliments received already it is obvious that this is going to be a valuable asset for members and the aviation-minded public alike. Recently, we’ve had groups of up to 180 school children visiting the hangar
furthering their knowledge and history of aviation. We now have proper viewing facilities, as well as one of the most comprehensive aviation reference libraries in the country.. together this complex is becoming a very valuable educational resource.”

It is expected that the Visitor Centre when fully operational early next year will offer guided tours of the hangar as well as access to the library and display floors both of which offer great views of the many fully-operational warbirds’ aircraft.

NZ Warbirds are holding their next Open Day Sunday 6 December to mark the anniversary of Pearl Harbor 1941.

Ends

Contact:
Tony Miller
PRO
NZ Warbirds
027 271 6522