The New Zealand Ministry of Defense has put up eight Douglas A/TA-4K Skyhawk attack aircraft for sale, reports Flightglobal . The trades are held in the form of an auction, and buyer offers will be accepted until May 16 inclusive. Up for auction are five single-seat A-4K attack aircraft and three two-seat TA-4K combat trainers, as well as 20 spare P&W J52 engines, ground support equipment and tools.

The New Zealand Defense Department exhibited the aircraft "as is". This means that after the transaction is completed, claims regarding the quality and configuration of the Skyhawk will not be accepted. This is not the first time New Zealand has put Skyhawk attack aircraft up for sale. The planes were retired in 2001 and an auction was held shortly thereafter. The winner was an American company that offered $155 million for Skyhawk, but the deal was not completed.

A total of 17 Skyhawks were in service with New Zealand. After the failure of the first auction, the New Zealand authorities decided to transfer eight of them to aviation museums, and the rest to one of the Australian Air Force bases. However, the transfer of eight aircraft to museums never took place. Storing retired Skyhawks has cost New Zealand $34 million since 2001. To get rid of these costs, it was decided to re-hold the auction.

The New Zealand Ministry of Defense has announced that it intends to sell all Skyhawks, including engines and spare parts, to one person, but may split the lot into several lots if it receives multiple offers from buyers.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Defense also expects to put up for sale 17 Aermacchi MB-339 trainer aircraft, which were withdrawn from the Air Force in 2001.

New Zealand puts Skyhawk attack aircraft up for sale