A reproduction fighter plane sporting the fierce scowl of an angry warrior will be one of four World War I aircraft debuting at the Remembrance Day Airshow at Hood Aerodrome on Saturday.
Airshow organiser Sara Randle said the warrior face graces a reproduction Albatros DVa aircraft flown in those colours,linked to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 5, or Jasta 5, fighter ace Fritz Rumey.
"We don't know why that image was chosen but we imagine it is an African warrior and the angry face was meant to intimidate enemy pilots," Ms Randle said.
The Vintage Aviator collection of original, reproduction and replica World War I aircraft take to the Masterton skies on Saturday in commemoration of Remembrance Day, the signing of the Armistice that ended the Great War.
Ms Randle said more than 20 World War I aircraft will be featured at the airshow, in a series of mock dogfights and handling displays.
There also will be debut flights by a pair of 1916 Sopwith Pups, with original 1916 Le Rhone rotary engines, and a 1916 Royal Aircraft Factory RE8.
The show will feature barnstorming acts from between-the-wars aircraft types as well and a display by the Old Stick and Rudder Company's World War II Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk.
The airshow runs from 1-6pm on Saturday and entry costs $20 per adult, $10 for children aged up to 17, and a family pass for two adults and two children for $50.
