You won't see the Avenger rocketing through the sky anymore, but it definitely puts on a show when it's started up! With a roar and cloud of smoke, history seeps from its engines.

On February 4, Classic Flyers NZ will celebrate their 18th year with a community open day.

The event will be an awesome aero-filled day with aircraft start up demos, fire truck rides, DC-3 scenic flights and more. 'It's a fun time for family, old and young to be entertained with plenty of food and drink too,” says Classic Flyer's Cory Tyler.

'People can have a look behind the scenes and see what our volunteers do.

'The aircraft that we have here at Classic Flyers are unique and unusual as well as being noisy and smoky when you start them up.” Among them is the Grumman TBF-1C Avenger, a torpedo bomber first used in the US service in 1942.

'The Avenger is a unique aircraft that folds its wings to fit on aircraft carriers during WWII, our Avenger has been restored by volunteers to start up and fold its wings out.

'Onlookers enjoy the spectacle of being able to see these machines come to life up close and in many instances can get a chance to sit in many of our aircraft.”

Be wowed by the wonder of aviation next Saturday, February 4, at Classic Flyers NZ, 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui.

The February 4 Open Day runs from 10am-2pm. Gold coin entry.