Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says it looks promising Tauranga's Classic Flyers museum will receive one of the 17 retired Royal New Zealand Air Force Skyhawks.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today nine of these planes are earmarked for placement in museums around the country.

A RNZAF Skyhawk.

'The government has made every effort to sell the Skyhawk fleet, but no acceptable offers have been received,” says Wayne.

'We will therefore offer eight of them to qualifying public museums in New Zealand and one to Australia, for heritage and display purposes.

'We have decided to secure this piece of our aviation history for future generations of New Zealanders to enjoy.

'This draws a line under an important era in New Zealand's military aviation history.

'Homes for four of the aircraft are already determined.

'Two aircraft will go to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.

'Another will go to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland.

'A fourth will go to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Arm Museum at Nowra, Australia. 'This fulfils a longstanding agreement that we would give one of the ex-Australian Skyhawks back to them.

'Five more aircraft will be allocated on long-term loan to other qualifying aviation museums in New Zealand.

'This will ensure that New Zealanders across the country will be able to see the aircraft. 'Negotiations are under way with qualifying museums that have expressed interest.”

Classic Flyers is one of these museums and Simon Bridges says he has made it clear Tauranga wants one.

'Some months ago Classic Flyers Museum contacted me about the possibility of getting a Skyhawk and I have since contacted Minister Mapp many times about this by letter and personally,” says Simon.

'While there is still some technical matters to work through, and it may take a little time before the fighter jet physically arrives, it's all looking exceptionally good.

'I reckon the Skyhawk will be a great draw card for what is already a terrific museum in Tauranga.”