NZ Warbirds at Ardmore

NZ Warbirds at Ardmore is the visitor centre of the New Zealand Warbirds Association, at Ardmore Airport at the foot of the Wairoa Valley just south of Auckland. Visitors get up close to working history, with an unrestricted view of the association’s operational and static aircraft.Spread over two hangars, the Ardmore Collection brings together what the association describes as New Zealand’s most diverse range of historic and airworthy aircraft in one location, spanning around 100 years of aviation. Displays run from First World War replicas such as the Bristol Scout, Fokker Dr.1 and Albatros D.Va, through Golden Age and Second World War trainers including the Tiger Moth, Boeing-Stearman and T-6 Harvard, to the jet age. Squadron histories, dioramas, an engine room, ground vehicles, a large model collection and aviation memorabilia complete the visit. The aircraft on show vary with airshow, training and maintenance commitments, and weekends are the peak of flying activity.The centre is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 3pm, with paid admission and free entry for under-fives. It is 35 minutes from the Auckland CBD, with plenty of free parking.As a not-for-profit, NZ Warbirds relies on public support to ‘Keep ‘Em Flying’. It hosts airshows, Tarmac Days and Hangar Talk events, group and educational visits, venue hire and adventure flights, and welcomes volunteers and new members.