The Government has found a buyer for the eight remaining Royal New Zealand Air Force's retired Skyhawk fighters.
Earlier this year, nine of the Skyhawks original fleet of 17 were permanently loaned to museums in New Zealand and Australia.
Now a US company, JDI Holdings, has agreed to a buy the remaining eight for $7.9 million.
The purchase price includes engines and spare parts.
The deal depends on approval from the US State Department but it is expected the company will take delivery of the planes within six months.
Minister of Defence Wayne Mapp told Checkpoint that, unlike an earlier company that expressed an interest in the aircraft, JDI Holdings "actually has money" and had already paid a $1 million non-refundable deposit on the aircraft.
He says the company intends to use them for training and he is "reasonably confident" it will get the approval to purchase the aircraft.
Mr Mapp also says the Aermacchis and Strikemasters no longer needed by the Air Force will go to aviation museums around New Zealand.
Six aviaition museums will get the Aermacchis, with a further three still to confirm their acceptance.
Some of the fleet will remain at the air force's Woodbourne training ground.
