Inside GTN HQ
The Story Behind Rob’s Remarkable Plane Collection
Walk into the Global Travel Network office and you’ll notice two things immediately: the hum of a busy team supporting agents across the country… and more aircraft than Auckland Airport on a long weekend.
Perched proudly on shelves, desks, and any surface that dares remain empty for more than a day are the model planes that make up Rob’s impressive personal collection—342 aircraft in total. Yes, you read that right. Three hundred and forty-two.
This fleet has been lovingly built over 35 years, gathered from op shops, inherited from airline offices closing their doors in New Zealand, and gifted by airline partners who knew their models would be in good hands. Many of the aircraft you’ll spot at GTN HQ can’t be found anywhere else, not just because they’re rare, but because the airlines themselves no longer exist. TWA, Pan Am… the greats live on in miniature form thanks to Rob.
So, who owns all these planes?
This is where things get interesting.
The collection on display at the office is 100% Rob’s. Allen, our Chief Operating Officer, has his own private collection at home—rumoured to be impressive, but absolutely off-limits for public viewing. Friendly rivalry? Rob would say the rivalry part is optional, because, as he puts it with a straight face: “The true aviation enthusiast is Rob.”
The Highlights of the Fleet
Among the rare gems and historic icons, a few pieces stand out:
American Airlines DC-7 (circa 1960) the oldest and most historically significant aircraft in the collection.
Air New Zealand DC-10 Rob’s personal favourite, simply because he “just likes DC-10s.”
Qantas 747 a close second favourite, and a nod to aviation royalty.
And then there’s the mysterious El Al model that “cost him a lot.” How much is “a lot,” and why? Rob won’t say. The silence is part of the charm and the comedy.
Some collectors hunt for stamps or vintage cars. Rob hunts for aircraft that tell a story. And often, they come with one.
Is the Collection Still Growing?
The short answer: yes.
The longer answer: Rob is “collecting more carefully,” which roughly translates to “running out of shelf space.” But the passion remains as strong as ever, and the dream addition is clear: a Pan Am 747SP, a uniquely proportioned, long-range aircraft that Rob describes simply as “a quality plane.”
What Happens to the Collection in the Future?
For now, these aircraft remain very much a part of GTN’s story.
“As long as GTN is operating, the planes stay with GTN,” Rob says. Beyond that? He hasn’t thought that far ahead, he’s too busy supporting the business and keeping an eye out for his next rare find.
A Collection That Says Everything About Its Collector
Rob’s model aircraft collection is more than a hobby it’s an archive of aviation history, a tribute to the airlines that shaped modern travel, and a conversation starter for anyone who walks into the GTN office.
It also reflects exactly who Rob is passionate, knowledgeable, direct, a little cheeky and always ready to share a story (unless it involves the price of an El Al model).
