01/31/2008. Under the direction of the Swedish Count Carl Gustav
Ericsson von Rosen, three Saab-MFI 17 two/three-seat light aircraft,
registered SE-FII, SE-FIK and SE-GHZ, were used in an extensive famine
relief operation in Ethiopia. On April 1, 1974, the three aircraft
were airlifted to Adis Abeba by a Canadair CL-44.
Approx 13,230 lb (6,000 kg) of sorghum seed per day was being
air-dropped in underwing containers, the aircraft flying at about 59
knots (68 mph, 110 kmh) at heights from 3 to 15 ft (1 to 5 m) above
the ground, each with a 551 lb (250 kg) load.
On July 13, 1977, while on another relief mission in Ethiopia, Count
von Rosen was killed on the ground, during a Somali guerrilla attack
near Gode.
NOTE: the two additional pictures were taken near Malmö, Sweden,
during earlier trials.
