A museum housing the world's biggest private collection of World War I aircraft opens to the public in Blenheim on Saturday.
Movie maestro Peter Jackson owns the planes on show at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and enthusiasts are looking forward to getting a good look at the collection up close.
"We had people knocking on the door saying, we'd like to come and see your aircraft, we had even tour groups from the UK coming in and peering in through the cracks in the doors. We all thought it's time we made a facility where people can see these aircraft on display, and enjoy them," says Jane Orphan of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
A painstaking amount of work has gone into the project with the museum building itself a decade in the making. More than 20 original and replica planes are on show, all from Jackson's private collection.
Peter Jackson's involvement meant Weta workshop and wingnut were also in on the action. They have been here for the past few weeks getting every last detail just right. Some of the manniquins are so lifelike it is hard to tell them apart from real people.
The museum is expected to be a huge drawcard for the region.
"This is just a fantastic new attraction which will bring local visitors, New Zealand visitors and international visitors,." says Allan Scott from Destination Marlborough.
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