There are only 17 Skyhawks in New Zealand and Tauranga residents have the chance to help bring one to the city.
Earlier this year Classic Flyers in Mount Maunganui was given the opportunity to house one of the Skyhawks.
SunLive photographer Tracy Hardy recently flew with Classic Flyers CEO Andrew Gormlie and Simon Bridges to the Skyhawk's current home at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Woodbourne base in Blenheim to inspect the aircraft. See pictures from the base and video below of Simon and Andrew talking about the value of the Skyhawk for Tauranga.
The cost of transporting the aircraft to Tauranga is about $30,000.
Residents can donate towards that cost with minimum $60 donations.
Funds donated go towards the relocation and give the donor official membership at Classic Flyers – and perks associated with that.
Those who make a donation will also get a personalised certificate outlining their contribution, a photograph with the Skyhawk when it gets here and an invitation to a special members evening to celebrate the arrival.
Perks of the Classic Flyers membership include discounts at its café, free entry to the museum and concessions on anything sold there.
Those wanting to take up the donation scheme can do so by visiting Classic Flyers on Jean Batten Drive or at www.classicflyersnz.com
7 comments
FLY FLY AWAY ...
Posted on 03-06-2011 11:27 | By WARTS N ALL
It is grand right ? that is about what it costs when you hit the throttle, a GRAND no wonder they moth balled it.
Good analogy to useless bureaucracy
Posted on 03-06-2011 12:03 | By SpeakUp
Too expensive to run, ineffective, outdated, compromised, just sitting there but still costing maintenance. If we only could decommission other useless parts of the 'machinery'. I'd happily spend some 60 bucks to put a useless bureaucrat into the museum.
@Speakup
Posted on 03-06-2011 17:07 | By Openknee8ted
Very witty and sadly true
skyhawks
Posted on 03-06-2011 19:23 | By Glen Clova
I think planes did a great job and during their working lives cost us very little as 2Sqn RNZAF was leased back to the AUSSIE Navy and was used to test there naval defenses all around Australia.Also taught the pilots to fly jet airplanes a skill we have lost.
Why $60 MINIMUM???
Posted on 03-06-2011 21:54 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Whose bright idea was it to put a minimum donation, and make it include membership? I'd happily give $20, (all my pension will allow)for the community, but have no interest whatsoever in taking up membership, or the "perks and special invitations", [baubles of membership]. This minimum condition must rule out a great number of would be contributors.
xenasdad
Posted on 04-06-2011 09:17 | By Glen Clova
I agree with you,they could have done a basic donation of say $20 with no perks then increased the goodies with the higher donation.I will donate but am not to interested in the goodies.
Skyhawk donation
Posted on 05-06-2011 12:00 | By kowdon
I am one of the volunteers at Classic Flyers. It is great to see so much interest from the community to the news that we are about to receive a Skyhawk on long term loan for display. CF is a non-profit organisation and we are always very grateful for any donations from the community. This includes the Skyhawk promotion. We know times are tough financially and appreciate any donations towards getting the aircraft here to Tauranga. The $60 quoted is the minimum threshold for receiving the membership, any and all donations will be accepted with our grateful thanks. We are looking forward to be able to display another iconic piece of NZ's aviation history to the public.
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