A new home for Des Delatorre's models collection

[Dave W]

Following the tragic and unexpected death of the WW1aircraftmodels.com Forum owner Des Delatorre in February, there have been moves behind the scenes to find a new home for his significant collection of museum-quality models.

We wanted, if possible, to keep Des’ unique collection of kit and scratch built models together, ideally in an appropriate place where they could be appreciated by others and inspire future modellers.

We are delighted and immensely proud to announce that Des Delatorre’s models are going to one of the finest WW1 aviation collections in the world – the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust, for eventual display in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough, New Zealand.

The Aviation Heritage Centre features a world-class collection of priceless aircraft and aviation memorabilia which tell the story of aviation in both World Wars.

Sir Peter Jackson has played a central role in developing the Aviation Heritage Centre as a Trustee and called in the unique creative talents of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop for the displays.

We are enormously grateful to Wingnut Wings which has played a pivotal role in placing Des’ models with the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust.

Wingnut Wings’ General Manager Richard Alexander kindly arranged the move and Wingnuts’ Sales & Logistics Manager Dave Johnson flew to Australia to personally organise the packing and shipping of all Des’ models collection to their permanent new home in New Zealand.

On behalf of Des’ wife Adrienne and the family, and on behalf of our 3099 members of the Forum family, we are very grateful to the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust and Richard and Dave at Wingnut Wings for their kindness and amazing support in ensuring Des’ models will be housed in a world-class facility to inspire future generations of modellers.



For those not yet familiar with the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, their website is at: http://www.omaka.org.nz/

Dave Wilson
Forum Administrator

[RLWP]

That is utterly brilliant, couldn't be better!

Richard

[Manni]

Perfect soloution. That is exactly the right place to present Des' outstanding work.
Thank you, Dave.
Bye,
Manni

[bobs_buckles]

I thought my admiration for Sir Peter and the whole team at Wingnut Wings couldn't be bested - I was wrong. Simply superb.

I hope I get to go see all the great work that is going on in New Zealand. It would be a crime not too!


We all miss, Des, but to know that his legacy lives on for all to see and to be inspired by, well, it doesn't get any better than that.

It's a perfect day.

vB 

[Borsos]

I think Des would be happy with this solution.
Andreas

[Russell]

This is great news.

I'm sure Des would be delighted.

My thanks to all concerned in making it happen.

Regards
Russell

[NigelR]

Great news. Des' models truly are worthy of being in a museum. A great tribute to him.

[Juan]

Outstanding, now the rest of the world can enjoy Des' masterpieces.  We all miss you Des.

[PrzemoL]

I can only join the thanking - to Aviation Heritage Trust staff. to Wingnut Wings staff, to all who were involved in this great move.
I used to think many times, what might happen to Des's models. This news I have just read is so great, that I cannot contain my joy. Thank you - to all involved!
Des is surely watching this from above with joy and pride.

[rhwinter]

Wonderful, simply wonderful! A huge „Thanks“ to all involved!

[Whiteknuckles]

Wow!!

That's great news and an even greater outcome - well done to all involved .
Just think of all those people who will admire and be inspired by Des' work.

I hope that the collection is accompanied by some info on Des 

Andrew

[mike in calif]

This such a Zen outcome. Just perfect.

[lcarroll]

   A fitting tribute to such a talented man; so absolutely a wonderful outcome and a relief to know that his outstanding collection of world class models will continue to be available to the public and an inspiration as well. I hope I don't break trust in thanking you, Dave, for your tireless and selfless efforts to bring this all together in Des's memory and to assist Adrienne in her loss.
Lance

[Dave in Dubai]

A very fitting tribute to Des’s memory ensuring his collection will live on and be enjoyed by many others.

Bravo to the team at Wingnut Wings.

[janh]

wit's so nice that a/this "community" doesn't solely exist in cyberspace but also in the real world. it's also so nice that our secretive feeders @WNW from time to time acknowledge our existence.