Outstanding museums allow plenty of time - One of the best museum experiences we have ever had. Informative, realistic. Incredible wealth of material and jam packed with human history to bring it all to life.

Outstanding Museum a must for aviation enthusiasts - Awesome museum with beautiful restored aircraft and displays. The scene is movie set worthy and you feel like you are on the ground in the Great War.

Outstanding Exhibition - The museum features vintage WWI and WWII aircraft as well as many displays of the different "aces" during those conflicts. They just had time to see the WWI side, but wished we could have seen the other as well. The displays were very well done, including the downing of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, who had 80 "kills". They were proud to note that it was an Australian machine gunner that brought him down. The first man to use a parachute was a New Zealander. The Kiwis and Aussies were used as cannon fodder by the Brits as 67% of New Zealander's and 61% of Australians who fought in WWI were killed. They also had a wonderful display of America's ace, Eddie Rickenbacker (26 kills), that the Smithsonian would covet.

Amazing find in a small New Zealand town. - I visited the museum during a cruise around New Zealand on Princess cruises with my family, all of whom are keen on aviation. As Blenheim is a small town on the north of the South Island we weren't expecting the visit to be very exciting but we were so wrong. Sir Peter Jackson, the film director, established the museum and all the many, many exhibits using his own money. On display were authentic World War 1 aircraft, artefacts, documents, medals etc. which Sir Peter had acquired over the years. One German visitor was heard to remark that the extent of all the exhibits from Germany was unlike anything that he had ever seen in his home country and which included photos and letters from the famous 'Red Baron'. We were well and truly blown away with the exhibits and could have spent much, much longer there and we will most certainly return without the time restraints imposed by the cruise company. There is a combined coffee and souvenir shop with excellent coffee and snacks and some unique souvenirs for sale. If you are in this part of New Zealand I highly recommend a visit, even if you are not particularly keen on aviation as the background history of the conflict is well explained by the guides and the exhibits are beautifully presented.

Worth a Visit - We did a double deal where we saw The Heritage Centre and then the other smaller exhibit. At $39 each for the adults, I thought it was good value. We stayed about 2 1/2 hours. It had been at least ten years since we had been here to the aviation centre. How it has changed. Now they offer flights in planes as well. (Maybe they did then, but I wasn't aware of it). The models and displays are amazing and I can appreciate the time and effort gone into making the details correct. Guides around the displays were knowledgeable, passionate about their job, and with a sense of humour. The shop had lots to offer and supported the RSA. The cafe had lovely coffee. We are lucky to be able to visit such a place and be educated.

World class museum display - This exhibition was world class, large collection of planes displayed in dramatic ww1 scenes. Highly recommend

World class exhibition of planes and memorabilia from WW1 and II - World class exhibition of planes and memorabilia from WW1 and II Amazing collection of real and model planes illustrated with fascinating stories and lifelike mannequins. We spent hours just in the WWI exhibit which houses the collection of Sir Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. We will come back to see the WW II exhibits and if time the car exhibit as well. It is set in an amazingly beautiful part of the world and we were lucky to see it on a stunning day in December 2022.

Step back in time to the days of the Red Baron - You could be forgiven for thinking you might be walking in to see one old plane in a hangar and that at $25 it would be overpriced. But honestly, you will be amazed. Really classy exhibits, some earthbound and others ranged in the space above. A museum with a difference, more like stepping back in time. Blenheim is famous for other things, but you will be glad you took some time (an hour at least) to wander through and check this out. My wife loved it, and she's not generally a fan of this type of thing. Dress warm if you go in winter. And maybe skip the cafe. There's better ones in town.

50th Reunion weekend - Fabulous private tour with Rachel today - so much background information and knowledge enhanced the tour. Fabulous displays - well done

Amazing facility - This aviation centre is a fabulous place to visit, I would strongly recommend doing both of the exhibits. There is so much to see,the aircrafts are fascinating as are all the artefacts. Small cafe and gift shop on site and the ability to take a scenic flight. Well worth a visit.