Fighter plane destined to land on Auckland rooftop

The MiG-21 jet sold on Trade Me for $59,454. Photo / Simon Baker

The winning bidder in the auction for the MiG-21 jet fighter linked to property developer David Henderson plans to get the flightless plane off the ground again - well, almost.

The plane will soon grace the top of a building in Auckland.

New Zealand Seal Services Ltd director Manfred Bennett bought the fighter on Trade Me for $59,454 following a two-week auction.

Bennett said he was prepared to bid higher for the plane which an insurance evaluation showed was worth around $85,000.

"I didn't care what the amount was going to. I wanted it, that's it," he said.

Bennett planned for the MiG to go on the roof of the New Zealand Seal Services building, near Onehunga, to promote the business.

He was due to meet the Auckland City Council on Wednesday to discuss requirements to get his plan under way.

"They can't see any problem with it," he said.

But, even on the ground, the plane is causing a stir, Bennett said: "It's been very, very popular."

Bennett said he hoped the plane would be on top of the building within a month.

The MiG was brought to Christchurch a few years ago and used by Henderson to promote the opening of his bar complex in Sol Square.

The jet is the only single seat MiG-21 jet fighter in New Zealand.