Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre

Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre

Representations of the golden age of flight regularly take to the skies above Southland thanks to the internationally respected work of pioneering couple Maeva and Colin Smith.

Their restoration of vintage aircraft put the hamlet of Mandeville (10 minutes from Gore) on the world map for world-class work. Aircraft from all over the world have limped in to the Croydon Aviation Company and flown off again in full gilded-age glory. And now the Croydon Aviation Museum owns and displays an impressive number of aircraft.

The collection includes several de Havilland planes, an Aermacchi MB-339 Training Jet and a replica 1910 Pither Monoplane. Built by cyclist Bert Pither, it remains a mystery whether he flew the small plane on Ōreti Beach or not. Recreations show that it is certainly possible, however, as Pither had no witnesses, the truth is still unknown.

For visitors with itchy feet and lofty dreams, Croydon also offers scenic flights in their de Havilland Tiger Moth DH82. Trips start from 15 minutes and can include a few acrobatics. It pays to book ahead during weekends, but if there's a pilot on-site and the conditions are suitable, it's possible to pop up for a view from above.

The Croydon Aviation Company is next door and is responsible for much of the maintenance and restoration of the planes. Tours are available during weekdays – talk to the museum staff for more information.

Maeva Smith There is extensive work underway next door as the Waimea Plains Railway project starts to take shape. The plan is to have a large section of working railway to operate K92, a K-class locomotive that headed the original Kingston Flyer. It was dumped in the Ōreti River in 1927, but was recovered in 1985 and since restored. Follow the progress at waimeaplainsrailway.co.nz. 1558 Waimea Highway, Mandeville. (03) 208 6046, croydonaviation.co.nz Colin Smith with the K92