Warbird Information Exchange

Published: 09:36AM May 24th, 2012
By: Tim Callaway

A single engined bomber, dive bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. SAAB had been formed on April 2, 1937, at Trollhättan by the Bofors group. In 1938, ASJA had begun design work on the L-10, a multi-purpose single engined military aircraft at its factory at Linköping. When ASJA and Saab underwent a complete reorganisation and merger in March 1939, the new company’s first aircraft, which had been the L-10, became the Saab 17.

http://www.aviationclassics.co.uk/news/ ... first-saab

I spotted a Saab B17 sitting derelict in the weeds at Lideta Military Airfield in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1998. Next to it was a Fairely Firefly and a Beech AT-17. All were in sad shape. We were told that due to the military security area not to take any photos. The presence of child soldiers (12 years old) all in fatigues, dark glasses, berets and AK-47's at the ready I thought it best to hide my camera. Reviewing the google.earth photo of the airfield it looks rather desered now with no sign of any aircrft at all.

I'm in a transition class to be flying a Saab

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled ... 2093340/M/

_________________
"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Tim Callaway - there's a name from the past. Glad to see he's still around.

jdvoss - I suspect that's the same group of aircraft that were recovered in the early 2000s;certainly a group of aircraft including early mark Fireflies were recovered.

Regards,

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

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