Lunch with a Legend: Building Omaka’s Future

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre will host a very special fundraising luncheon celebrating the remarkable Spirit of Douglas DC-3 and the people keeping her story alive.

Held inside the Dangerous Skies exhibition, this strictly limited event will combine aviation history, a welcome drink, a three-course lunch catered by Feast Merchants and an exclusive opportunity to step onboard one of the world’s most celebrated aircraft.

This will be the only opportunity for members of the public to go onboard the Spirit of Douglas during her visit.

All profits from the luncheon will support the planned expansion of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

The aircraft that changed aviation

The DC-3 has earned a special place in aviation history. Introduced in the 1930s, its strength, reliability and passenger comfort helped transform commercial flying and connect communities around the world.

The Spirit of Douglas has an extraordinary history of her own.

Built at the Douglas Aircraft factory in Santa Monica in 1942, she began life as a C-53 military transport. During the Second World War, she served in the China–Burma–India theatre and flew “the Hump”, the notoriously dangerous air supply route across the Himalayas between India and China.

After the war, the aircraft entered civilian service and went on to fly in several different roles and under several different names. Her long career has included commercial and corporate flying, museum display, appearances at major aviation events and even a role in a Hollywood film.

In 2024, the aircraft crossed the Atlantic to take part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, flying over the Normandy beaches alongside other historic DC-3s and Second World War aircraft.

Today, as the Spirit of Douglas, she is once again crossing countries, continents and oceans as part of an ambitious international journey honouring Donald Douglas and the aircraft that helped change the way the world travelled.

Hear the story from the people behind it

Guests attending the luncheon will hear from members of the team responsible for flying, maintaining and sharing the Spirit of Douglas.

A special video presentation and talk will explore the aircraft’s long history, the work involved in keeping an aircraft built more than 80 years ago airworthy, and the challenges and memorable moments encountered during her international journey.

Following the presentation, guests will have the exclusive opportunity to step onboard the Spirit of Douglas and see inside this remarkable aircraft for themselves. This will be the only public opportunity to go onboard during her visit.

A special display of historic memorabilia and the official Spirit of Douglas coffee table book (available to buy) will add another dimension to the aircraft’s story.

A three-course lunch by Feast Merchants

The afternoon will begin with a welcome drink, followed by a three-course lunch catered by Marlborough’s Feast Merchants and served within Omaka’s Dangerous Skies exhibition.

Menu

To begin

Local Italian sourdough with smoked butter, local olive oil and dukkha

Main course

14-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder (g/f, d/f) with minted buttermilk (gf) dressing

Seared chicken breast with spinach and Parmesan cream sauce (gf)

Three seasonal sides

To finish

Petit fours platter featuring handcrafted sweet treats to share

* Gluten-free and dairy-free options are included within the menu. Please advise us of any dietary requirements when booking.

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Surrounded by aircraft and personal stories from the Second World War, guests will enjoy a memorable afternoon of great food, aviation history and first-hand insights from the Spirit of Douglas team.

Most importantly, the event will help Omaka take its own next step. One hundred per cent of the profits will go towards the planned expansion of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, helping us share more stories and preserve more of our aviation heritage for the future.

‍Event details

Lunch with a Legend: Building Omaka’s Future

Date: Saturday, 8th of August 2026

Time: Entry from 12.30pm, lunch is served at 1pm

Venue: Dangerous Skies Exhibition, Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

Tickets: NZ$150 (+booking fee) per person

Bookings: Online here or in person at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

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Places are strictly limited. As final numbers must be confirmed for catering purposes, bookings close on **Friday 31 July**.

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