New Zealand Air Force fighter training aircraft arriving in pieces

Ashburton Aviation Museum members will be avidly watching the assembly of their latest exhibition highlight, a Skyhawk aircraft, later this month.

The New Zealand Air Force fighter training aircraft is arriving in four truck loads from Woodbourne Airbase on September 21.

Airforce personnel from the airbase will accompany the aircraft, and will spend at least four days assembling it on-site.

Museum member Owen Moore said the museum would be operating for extended hours throughout the assembly, so members of the public could come and see it if they wished to.

Acquisition of the aircraft had been a highlight for the museum.

The museum was one of the successful bidders from museums nationwide to provide a home for nine unwanted New Zealand Air Force fighter training aircraft. They have languished at Woodbourne since they were pulled out of commission in 2001.

Officially, the museum has the aircraft on long-term loan, and has paid $30,000 for its disassembly at Woodbourne, transport to Ashburton, and on-site assembly.

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