Restoring history: Italy returns Ethiopia's pioneering aircraft
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Italy has returned Ethiopia's inaugural aircraft nearly 90 years after seizing it.
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Tsehay, the first aircraft built in Ethiopia in 1935 (Social Media/X)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Tuesday that Italy has returned Ethiopia's inaugural aircraft, nearly 90 years after it was seized by "Italy's Fascist occupying forces".
"Today is a day of great pride for Ethiopians as we celebrate the official handover of 'Tsehay' by the Italian Government," Abiy said on his official account on X.
Today is a day of great pride for Ethiopians as we celebrate the official handover of “Tsehay” by the Italian Government. I extend my immense gratitude to Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni for her support over the past year in facilitating its return.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) January 30, 2024
"Tsehay" is the first aircraft… pic.twitter.com/douDChQnl2
He shared images of the currently restored red two-seater plane, originally constructed in 1935 during Emperor Haile Selassie's rule. "Tsehay is the first aircraft built in Ethiopia in 1935 under the collaborative efforts of the German engineer and pilot of the emperor, Herr Ludwig Weber, and Ethiopian individuals of that era," Abiy said.
Historians indicate that the aircraft was transported to Italy when the invading forces of dictator Benito Mussolini captured Ethiopia, then known as Abyssinia, in 1935, culminating in the occupation of the capital Addis Ababa the following year.
The Italian defense ministry reported that the monoplane, initially silver-grey, conducted its maiden flight in December 1935 and was considered a "unique specimen." It accumulated approximately 30 hours of flight time but was left abandoned in Addis Ababa in May 1936, before the Italians arrived and requisitioned it.
The Italian Ministry of Defense indicated that the aircraft had been housed at the Italian Air Force Museum since 1941 and would be eventually sent to Ethiopia for public display, although a specific timeline was not provided.
Named in honor of Princess Tsehay, Emperor Selassie's daughter, the plane's maiden flight occurred in December 1935. Pilot Weber covered a distance of 50 kilometers (approximately 30 miles) from Addis Ababa, with the flight lasting about seven minutes, as reported by Ethiopia's state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation.
"Tsehay represents the only surviving artifact from the aviation endeavors of the 1930s," Fana said.
Congratulations !!
— Abraham Belay Berhe (@AbrahamPostDoc) January 30, 2024
Today is a historic day , Ethiopian airplane called 'Tsehay' is to return home after 89 years. pic.twitter.com/n9gF34oomD
The aircraft's return occurred as part of Prime Minister Abiy's visit to Rome for an African leaders' summit hosted by Italy.
"I extend my immense gratitude to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her support over the past year in facilitating its return," Abiy said.
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