The Future for Warbirds Over Wanaka: ‘Warbirds and Wheels’

Voxy.co.nz: The Future for Warbirds Over Wanaka: ‘Warbirds and Wheels’
Building work on a new world-class visitor attraction to be called Warbirds and Wheels is progressing well at Wanaka Airport’s largest hangar and is on track for the unique facility to be opened later this year.

The attraction, being developed by the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust would give the organisation an ongoing presence at Wanaka Airport to showcase its internationally-renowned airshow and the show’s history, all year round. Trust chairman Murray Cleverley said “Joining Wanaka’s fine collection of Warbird aircraft will be rare classic cars and distinctive visual artworks.”

Telling the story of the Trust’s Patron and airshow founder, Sir Tim Wallis and his pioneering deer recovery days, Warbirds and Wheels would also incorporate memorabilia, weapons and aircraft honouring both World Wars, Mr Cleverley said. Many artefacts would be sourced from the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum which closed earlier this year. The Airforce Museum of New Zealand at Wigram had been working with the collection to ensure it was retained in the public domain and would continue to be properly displayed for future generations. Displays would include interactive exhibits and would be regularly refreshed so Wanaka residents and others visiting the attraction would have plenty to view.

A café and retail shop would complete the Warbirds and Wheels offering with much to tempt families, as well as aviation and car enthusiasts.

While it is owned by the Community Trust, a management contract for operating the facility has been let to allow the Trust to continue to concentrate on producing its world-class international airshow. Located at the entrance to Wanaka Airport, the hangar refit was being undertaken by Wanaka builders, Deane Fluitt and a selection of local tradesmen and subcontractors.

“Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust has a mandate to ensure that the International Airshow maintains its place as an iconic event and continues to deliver significant benefits to our region from a tourism and economic development perspective. Warbirds and Wheels, as an extension of the airshow, will give the Trust an ongoing presence while making the Trust more sustainable. The Trust is delighted to have this opportunity which has only been made possible with the support and collaboration of all the parties involved including the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, Classic Consortium, and the Airforce Museum of New Zealand” Mr Cleverley said. The Trust hoped to set an opening date once the bulk of the development work was completed