Again we find ourselves on the gravel patch which is the N.Z.C.M.A camp among the aeroplanes and helicopters at Ardmore. At first I thought it was strange that the camp is situated here, in an airport.
However strange or not there is always something going on. Sometimes the thing that is happening is during the night. We have lain awake in the dark listening to helicopters and planes take off. They are off to the rescue as we lie safe in our bed.
Along the road in the Ardmore Airport grounds is a cafe and the Warbirds Museum. We have just been there. It is very interesting and there are a wonderful bunch of guys there who are full of bonhomie. They gladly welcomed us, although there was an admission cost and I don’t think they would have let us in without it.
I like the name ‘Warbirds’ as the planes in this museum, housed in two hangers, are a range of planes that are all shapes, colours and sizes. Most of them still fly, so I can imagine them flittering and fluttering around each other high in the sky. However they are lethal weapons so they are like birds that go to war. We were lucky enough to have an employee from Rocket Lab guide us around and tell us the stories behind the development of the engines. These early birds were often death traps for the fearless pilots of the wars.
Wars have lots to answer for, but the first and second world wars did push along the development of the plane. Nice for us today when we want to whizz around or when we do not have the time, as we do in our caravan, to meander.
If you are in the area this museum is worth a visit.