The air force will sell its retired Aermacchi trainer jets, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.
The fleet of 16 planes was withdrawn from service when the air combat force was disestablished in 2001.
The sale comes after the Government last year abandoned plans to sell as a going concern its Skyhawk fighter bomber fleet, also mothballed in 2001, and instead earmarked them for museums.
Dr Mapp said three Aermacchis will be put on display at New Zealand aviation museums while the remaining 13 will be sold on an "as is, where is" basis.
The future of the Aermacchi trainers had been carefully considered.
"Their age and condition means that they are no longer suitable for military training. Storing them costs money, so a sale by tender is the best option," Dr Mapp said.
Considerable interest in the sale was expected, he said.
The aircraft had been well maintained and were still flown occasionally until about a year ago, when they were put in storage.
The air force would also sell six spare engines and support equipment including specialist maintenance tools and training publications.
Dr Mapp said the aircraft, engines and equipment could be sold as a full package, as they were still flown by some countries, or individual aircraft and parts could be sold separately.
