Gene de Marco's magnificent flying machine

Gene de Marco in the World War I bomber. Photo / Mark Mitchell

One of the earliest fighter planes ever built, the FE2b pusher biplane, made its New Zealand debut at the weekend, nearly a 100 years after it first saw action.

Pilot Gene de Marco built the 1915 plane from original drawings - the "pusher" part of the name describes the position of the bomber's engine at the back of the craft.

"Usually you're sitting in the airplane and there's a bunch of structure in front of you. When you're sitting out the front [in the FE2b] there's nothing in front. It's really weird.

"It's more magic carpet than airplane."

The reproduction aircraft took three years to build and thousands of man-hours to make it ready for its public launch at a Masterton airshow dedicated to World War I aircraft on Anzac Day.

While some of the engineering made it complicated at times, the simple materials needed - steel, wood and fabric - meant anyone who had the time could do it in their own garage.

"It's fabulous to take it into the air and have the responsibility of flying it around," Mr de Marco said.