Dear Lars,
Thank you very much for all of that interesting information! I do have the book by Jan Forsgren, and am often in touch with him. Great to hear about what Gunnar did - he was a friend of my father while he was with the RAF in Addis, and must have been responsible for getting him two "flips" (flights/joyrides) in SE-BAH, and probably SE-BAW. Although my father does not mention von Rosen in his diaries, he must have met him briefly on those two test flights.
Thank you again,
Pete.
This from my Flickr site about SE-BAH:
Left Bromma (Stockholm) on the 4th December 1945, to Naples (1,287 miles), to Cairo (1,208 miles) and to Addis Ababa (1,525 miles; total: 4,020 miles); returning by same route on the 10th. Cruising at around 180 miles per hour, would have been about 23 hours flying time each way. von Rosen is mentioned in connection to this trip; he was a pilot with ABA at this time, and
http://www.flyghistoria.org/kronologi/1940_1949.pdf has: "...1945, Dec.1: Carl Gustaf von Rosen hired by the Ethiopian emperor as "Principal Instructor and Director of the Imperial Air Force. " CFV approved the Swedish personnel were made available to build Ethiopian Air Force. Swedish involvement ceased in early 1961..."
Swedes in Haile Selassie's Ethiopia, 1924-1952 - by Viveca Halldin Norberg - 1977 has:
"...When von Rosen in mid-November 1945 landed in Addis Abeba on his way to Madagascar and, together with SILA's chief economist Ture Bielkegård, discussed the project of an Ethiopian Airline with the Emperor, nothing was revealed about the (already signed) contract with TWA. The American Legation, however, immediately reported to Washington about von Rosen's and Bielkegård's visit. Bielkegård was reported to carry a passport as a missionary, whereas the real purpose of his coming to Addis Abeba, was to investigate the possibilities of establishing an internal airline in Ethiopia.
According to Herrmanns (von Rosen's biographer), von Rosen was informed about the contract with TWA in early December 1945, when he again landed in Addis Abeba hoping to sign a contract for an Ethiopian Airline. The Emperor instead offered von Rosen a position as 'Principal Instructor and Director of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force' as from 1st December 1945 (backdated; as he left Stockholm on the 4th), for a period of three years. He was to start with a flying school, mainly along the plans he had outlined together with Bielkegård..."
This e-mail from Jan Forsgren:
Hi Pete,
I've trawled through the Archives of the Arlanda Civil Aircraft Collection, and they keep the flight logs for SE-BAK, -BAM, -BAN and -BAO. Unfortunately, it would appear that the flight logs for -BAH have gone awol at some point.
This was the inaugural flight between Bromma and Bishoftu made by SILA.
According to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, SE-BAH left Bromma on Tuesday 4 December at 0700 hours. Aboard were the crew (only the first pilot, Carl Gustaf von Rosen and the wireless operator G. Eriksson, are mentioned) and 22 passengers. The first intermediary landing, at Naples, occured at 1538 hours, and take-off at 1717 hours. The estimated time of arrival in Cairo was at 2320 hours, 40 minutes ahead of schedule.
The Fortress finally arrived in Addis on Thursday 6 December, landing at 1400 hours. The Emperor is said to have been at the airport, "incognito", welcoming the crew and passengers to Ethiopia. According to a United Press telegram printed in the Friday 7 December issue, p. 1, "Colonel Tamm has been delayed and is not expected until Friday. (Viking Tamm was to take charge of the training of the Imperial Bodyguard.) The other Swedish travellers have happily and finally arrived. At 1400, the rebuilt Flying Fortress with doctors, missionaries and nurses aboard, landed. The personnel will take charge of the Betsaida Hospital, which prior to the Italian invasion was managed by the Swedish doctor (Elias) Hanner.
The trip from Sweden has been a brilliant success, without any disturbances or incidents, according to the passengers. On Tuesday, a day's rest was made in Cairo in order to assist with acclimatization. The landing at Addis Abeba airfield went perfectly, with large crowds having gathered to welcome the arrival of the aeroplane. The Ethiopians especially warmly welcomed Sister Vera, one of Dr. Hanner's original staff."
SE-BAH left Addis late in the evening on Sunday 9 December. Only three passengers were aboard, Mrs. Kjerstin Guntenberg and her two sons Ulf and Björn, with the Norwegian engineer, Mr. Tjomsaas, joining in Cairo. They arrived safely at Bromma airport on Tuesday 11 December.
Flying certainly had more charm and adventurous spirit than nowadays!
I will check for further details on this particular flight between Sweden and Ethiopia.
Best Wishes for the New Year!
Jan.
Therefore:
Tues 4th Dec 1945 - Bromma 0700 - Naples 1538, Naples 1717 - Cairo 2320
Weds 5th Dec 1945 - Rest Day
Thurs 6th Dec 1945 - Cairo - Addis Ababa 1400
Sat 8th Dec 1945 - 37 minute morning test flight (including RAF Sgt.Maxfield)
Sun 9th Dec 1945 - Addis late evening - Cairo
Tues 11th Dec 1945 - Bromma.
