Horn of Africa...1/48 Fairey Firefly FR.1, Imperial Ethiopian Airforce
19/2024
As announced, here´s my dad´s third of three Firefly FR.1.
Like the Thai one, Special Hobby kit, Eduard seatbelts, added a scratch rearview mirror. Used a plastic rod for the whip antenna and EZ Line for the antenna wires. Painted with a lightned AK RC Duck Egg Blue, Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown and an old leftover selfmixed sand paint.
Build thread here
https://imodeler.com/groups/serving-under-another-flag/forum/topic/horn-of-africa-1-48-fairey-firefly-fr-1-royal-ethiopian-airforce/?topic_page=3&num=15#post-44
After WW2 and the liberation of Ethiopia, the country started to reorganize its airforce. Ethiopia acquired some aircraft from the US and the UK, but neither country was willing to assist, so Ethiopia turned to Sweden and Count Carl Gutav von Rosen became the Chief Instructor of the newly formed Imperial Ethiopian Airforce and Saab B17 bombers and Safir trainers found its way to Africa.
Starting with 1951, Ethiopia recieved several batches of Firefly FR.1 aircraft from the UK and Canada. Whereas the Canadian ones kept their camo, the UK delivered ones were painted in a desert camo. Later on, the noses were repainted in red.
Love it, my friend @grimreaper! Looks fantastic in this scheme!
A fine looking Firefly in Ethiopian scheme, Reinhard @grimreaper
Not that often seen.
Unique. I didn't know Fireflies served with the Ethiopians.
Another great Firefly, Reinhard!
Excellent Firefly. I did the SH kit many years ago. Looks cool in Ethiopian colors.
That’s quite a fine looking trio, Reinhard.
Another spectacular Firefly! Love that scheme.