Fighter jet ... going once, going twice

[Greg McDonald]

From News.com.au:

BIDDERS will be battling it out for the ultimate in boy's toys this weekend when a Cold War-era jet fighter goes under the hammer at an online auction in New Zealand.
The 37-year-old Russian MiG-21MF - codenamed "Fishbed" by NATO - was once used by the Polish Air Force but its flying days are over.

At almost 16 metres long, with a wingspan of seven metres, it could reach supersonic speeds of more than 2000km/h, the New Zealand Herald said today.

"The starting bid will be $NZ10,000 ($7925) and the reserve is not too far from that," Turners Auctions consultant Sam Brown told the NZ Herald.

"But what's it worth? Who knows? Being sort of unique - there's only two in New Zealand.

"One's a two-seater - which is quite different .... this is the only single-seater in the country."

Museums and private collectors are expected to be among the bidders on Trade Me.

Mr Brown said interest had been high. He had received 30 to 40 phone calls about it in the past couple of months.

"If you put it up on a pole outside your big lifestyle block, the Joneses are never going to beat you, are they?"

The jet has come on the market after the firm that owned it was placed in receivership.