NZ Crane Group News

A Russian fighter jet worth $59,000 is sitting on the rooftop of an Onehunga building.

The project to mount the 5.4 tonne jet on the Church St building was completed last week after three months of organisation by wealthy Onehunga businessman Manfred Bennett.

The MiG-21, a single seater, may eventually be joined by a second plane.

The project to put the plane up cost more than the plane. There were the freight costs from Christchurch, the structure on the roof and the consents and things."

He says the plane was purchased for $59,000 and cost $60,000 to $65,000 to get it on the roof.

Crane operator Jim Adam says moving the jet fighter was an easy feat. "It's just another lift really. From time to time we lift $30 million jet engines at the airport."

He says staff at his work have also lifted zoo animals and transported them – like the shift of Jelani the giraffe from Auckland Zoo to the Ports of Auckland for his journey to Melbourne.