Classic Flyers' coming attraction – the Skyhawk fighter jet – is expected to go on display this May.

Bay of Plenty Classic Aircraft Trust chairman David Love says the Skyhawk is scheduled to depart its base in Woodbourne, Blenheim on May 3 to arrive in Tauranga mid-May.

A RNZAF Skyhawk.

'It is due to leave Blenheim on May 3, so we are expecting it here in Tauranga mid-May, possibly around the 13th,” says David.

'Skyhawks were the backbone of the air force for many years and it will be a great addition to the museum.”

The jet is one of nine Skyhawks to be allocated to museums throughout the country and Australia on permanent loan from the Ministry of Defence; following the decommissioning of the fleet under the Labour Government in the 1990s.

David says Classic Flyers is lucky enough to have secured the No.1 jet.

'A number of museums asked for them. Classic Flyers was the first museum Defence Minister Wayne Mapp visited and he allocated us the No.1 jet – the first in the fleet.”

The Skyhawk will be trucked to Tauranga from Blenheim on four transponders before being assembled in a newly created display area at Classic Flyers on Jean Batten Drive.

'People will be able to get up right up and see the inside of the cockpit.

'It will be non-operational – so the display will not include the engine.”

The jet was originally meant to travel to Tauranga in October last year, but due to the number of campervan bookings on the Interislander ferry during the Rugby World Cup it was unable to fit onboard and had to be postponed.

David says Classic Flyers is in the processes of raising the $30,000 required to transport and assemble the jet.

'The ministry put a blanket charge on the Skyhawks to cover the cost.

'We have had to raise $30,000, we are almost there – it is now becoming critical that we raise the last of the money.”

David says the jet's display will be launched with a welcoming event at Classic Flyers.

The other Skyhawks are going to Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), which has already received its Skyhawk, the Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Army Museum near Sydney, NZ Warbirds Association at Ardmore, Ashburton Aviation Museum and Warbirds over Wanaka in Central Otago.

Two will also go to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

Donations to sponsor the Skyhawk can be made through Classic Flyers website at www.classicflyersnz.com/Skyhawk.html