An automotive extravaganza in Tauranga is set to celebrate Classic Flyers longstanding presence in the community.

Attendees will be treated to plane start-up demonstrations, fire truck rides and the cave virtual reality experience this weekend.

The 15th birthday celebrations will allow people to get up close and personal with a selection of the automotive museums restored aircraft.

'Classic Flyers celebrates a new year with over 15 years of operation by bringing out our restored aircraft and placing them on the taxiway where visitors will be able to get up close,” says a statement about the event.

During the day they will run the aircraft, so people should prepare for plenty of smoke and noise.

'Our piston engine treasures -P40 Kittyhawk, Grumman Avenger and the DH Heron - will blow off the cobwebs while outside.

'Hear the roar and smell the jet fuel of our more recent military jet aircraft the DH Vampire, Macchi MB339 and A37 Dragonfly) as they light up on our taxiway and blast everyone away.”

The Tauranga Model Aircraft Club will also display some of their scale models and can answer questions about how people can get involved.

The Restoration Hangar is open where people can get a sneak-peak at the museums' latest project - a walk through B-17 Flying Fortress bomber from WWII and guided tours of the archive department.

Activities for kids include face painting, fire engine rides, pedal planes and the Torpedo Park adventure playground.

Entry to the event on Saturday, January 23, at Classic Flyers is gold coin. It runs from 10 until 2pm.