The Italian Aermacchi MB-339CB jet aircraft drew plenty of attention from motorists while being transported to its new home at the Croydon Aircraft Company at the Mandeville Aerodrome, near Gore.
"We got it from the [Royal] New Zealand Air Force in Ohakea. It's something that's been on the go for a while," Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust trustee Colin Smith said yesterday.
"The majority were sold offshore, but some were kept as exhibits and have been allocated to various museums around the country.
"Our intention is to have it complete, because all our other aircraft are complete.
"We'd eventually like to get it airworthy, as most of our exhibits are airworthy. Even if we can get it into a condition that some day it can be made airworthy again."
The company restores vintage aircraft and offers training and pleasure flights in old aeroplanes.
The Aermacchi had cost "in five figures", Mr Smith said.
"It was quite a considerable cost. It was a bit of a departure for us, because most of our exhibits are de Havillands, but it's such a striking-looking aircraft."
The aerodrome and museum at Mandeville house a collection of vintage de Havilland aircraft, including Tiger Moths, a Fox Moth, a rare Dragonfly and a DH88 Comet replica, which are all regularly flown.
The Aermacchi jet is due to land at Mandeville today.
"We'll get it off when it turns up and take it from there. There's no need to be in a hurry," Mr Smith said.
"It will be displayed in our heritage centre."
The two-seater MB-339CB is powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet, which pushes it along at a maximum speed of 926kmh.
The aircraft cost $8.3 million each when 18 were bought by the RNZAF in 1991 and they were operated by No 14 Squadron until they were mothballed in 2002.
