The Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, standing on the wing of one of the IEAF Saab B 17A.

Then a new Dove of the Imperial Ethopian Air Force. Photo by: R G Mashburn

With Swedish Count Carl Gustaf von Rosen in command of its air force, Ethopia ordered Safir trainers in 1946. The first few were delivered on 14 December 1946 and arrived at Bishoftu, Ethiopia ten days later. The Avro Anson C19, s/n 121, is ex VL359. VL358 and VL359 were delivered new to the Ethiopians early in 1946.

Demonstrated in Europe in 1934-1935, this Staggerwing was sold to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). A French pilot delivered it to Akaki airfield on 20 October 1935. Emperor Haile Selassie came to inspect it two days later. It was painted creamy white and blue and named Nisiri (eagle) in Amharic script. The Red Cross objected to the red Coptic cross marking seen on the wing and it was removed. Meanwhile Italy was invading the country and the subsequent use and fate of the Beech are uncertain. Thanks to Zelealem Andarge for pointing out that Akaki was the same airfield as Lideta. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Ex USAF 75-00604

ex RNLAF M-11

Support a/c for two T-33A's taken over by the Ethiopian Air Force.

This is one of 14 F-5Es destined for Ethiopia. When, shortly before delivery, the Ethiopia-Somalia war broke out, all aircraft were embargoed and temporarily stored at Williams AFB. All of these aircraft were later delivered to other countries. This particular aircraft is 75-0609 which went to North Yemen.

Ex USAF 53-3160. Converted from C-119G by the fitment of two under-wing auxiliary General Electric J85 jet engines prior to delivery to Ethiopia under the Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) late 1971 / early 1972. Noted derelict at Debre Zeyit (now known as Bishoftu), Ethiopia in 1996. No longer visible on Google Earth, so presumed scrapped. The two T-33A are 213 (ex M-11) and 214 (ex M-58) and were on delivery, supported by the C-119K.

One of the many Ethiopian Air Force aircraft which landed in Djibouti during the internal political crisis of Ethiopia at this time.

The c/n has not been confirmed. It is thought to be c/n 5342904 (Tashkent built) but could be c/n 402904 (Voronezh built). The number on the aircraft just shows 2904. Known Ethiopian AF An-12s c/ns are Tashkent built.

One of the helicopter arriving from Ethiopia during the internal political crisis of this country.

One of the many Ethiopian Air Force aircraft arrivingin Djibouti during the internal political crisis of this country at this time.

A pre-delivery line-up of Ethiopian Fireflies at Manchester Ringway during hand-over to their Air Force pilots. Right is FR.1 601 ex FAA MB434; middle is FR.1 602 ex MB476; left is Firefly T.2 603 ex MB382 newly converted with two cockpits for pilot training.