Ethiopia celebrates return of historic 'Tsehay' plane from Italy

The iconic "Tsehay" aircraft.

By Amina Wako | 30 Jan 2024

The Italian government has officially returned the iconic "Tsehay" aircraft to its rightful owners, the people of Ethiopia.

The Italian government has officially returned the iconic "Tsehay" aircraft to its rightful owners, the people of Ethiopia.

During a ceremony on Tuesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed gratitude to Italy and its Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, for facilitating the return of this important piece of Ethiopian history.

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The aircraft, built in 1935 through collaborative efforts between German Engineer Herr Ludwig Weber and Ethiopian individuals of that era, holds great cultural and historical significance for Ethiopia. Its return marks a milestone in the country's efforts to reclaim and preserve its heritage.

The "Tsehay" aircraft, which was until today housed in Italy's aviation museum, has a rich history that dates back to the 1930s. Built in Ethiopia during 1932/3, the aircraft was named after Princess Tsehai, daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie. The machine represents a significant chapter in Ethiopia's pre-war aviation history and a testament to Ethio-German and Ethio-Italian relations.

In 1932/3, Herr Ludwig Weber, a German engineer and pilot, rebuilt a crashed Junkers W 33c in Ethiopia. This led him to consider designing an aircraft for the Ethiopian Air Force. The desired aircraft needed to serve as a trainer and communications vessel, capable of operating from airfields at 2,500m above sea level.

Dip. Ing. Wilhelm von Nes re-designed the German monoplane A. VII for Ethiopian use. The resulting aircraft, Ethiopia 1, was a two-seat, dual-controlled version with a more powerful engine and flaps for improved landing performance. After its first flight in December 1935, the aircraft showed promise, but Herr Weber left it behind in a eucalyptus forest when he departed in May 1936.

However, Italian authorities appropriated and transferred "Tsehai" to Italy in 1941, taking its journey on an unexpected turn. However, the Italian authorities overlooked "Tsehai" despite the requirement in the Italian Peace Treaty of 1947 to return cultural artefacts removed from Ethiopia since 1935.