Rare Military Memorabilia Museum Tour | Andy Wickens’ Das Bunker

Step inside Das Bunker, the remarkable private military memorabilia museum of Andy Wickens on New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast. This video offers a rare look behind the doors of his extensive collection, featuring historic firearms, military equipment, uniforms, helmets, and unique repurposed wartime relics. With decades of collecting experience, Andy has transformed his passion for history into a secure, museum-standard bunker where priceless artefacts are preserved and displayed.

In this interview, Andy shares how his family’s military history — from his World War One sniper grandfather to his father’s post-war aviation experiences — inspired his lifelong interest in collecting. Over the years, he has expanded his museum through three different homes, finally establishing Das Bunker with a 115-year-old bank vault door and purpose-built underground security.

Among the highlights are rare German helmets, including a Luftwaffe M40 discovered locally, and a repurposed civilian helmet turned into a kitchen colander after World War Two — a striking example of how post-war hardship forced ordinary families to adapt military equipment for daily survival. Andy’s passion is not just collecting but sharing: he believes military history should be preserved and appreciated rather than locked away unseen.

Andy also discusses New Zealand’s firearms legislation changes and how his official museum endorsements allow him to safeguard rare and historically significant weapons, including items currently being destroyed. With his legal status as a recognised museum, Das Bunker offers a potential home for military relics that might otherwise be lost forever.

This video is both a tour of a unique private collection and a call to action for those who value the preservation of military history. If you own military memorabilia or are simply fascinated by wartime artefacts, Andy welcomes enquiries and visits by appointment.
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