Transair was asked by the United Nations to assist with air transportation in Congo. In 1960 two Super Curtiss aircraft, SE-CFC and SE-CFE with crews and technical staff, were chartered by the UN. Later the company was also asked to supply a DC 6 to the operations.
Since then, and until the UN operations in Congo terminated, TSA had equipment and personnel stationed in Congo and had operated with as many as six Super Curtiss, two DC 6 and a staff of 50 based in Leopoldville.
Operations continued until late 1963 when the UN handed over management to the Congolese authorities but TSA was asked to place staff and aircraft in Congo at their disposal.
Below you will find pictures from the Congo Operations, including comments and descriptions. The pictures have arrived from Captain Hans Hanes who served with Transair in Congo.
The picture shows Capt. Hans Hanes during another flight, this time as Captain on a Transair DC 3 flying the SAS pendel between Malmoe and Copenhagen.
Further down on the page you will find pictures from Rolf “Mellis” Mellström.
The square in Leopoldville
Center of Leopoldville with Stanley Hotel to the right.
The wide Congo river at Leopoldville. Not visible on the other side of the river lies Brazzaville.
“High speed refueling” of a C 46 at Kamembe/Bukavu
A Norwegian DC 3 chartered by ONU. Seen here ready to load at the tarmac in Albertville.
Crowded tarmac in Manono during the relocation of the Baluba tribe in July 1962.
Unloading Balubas at Manono.
The fashion gang from “The Baluba Jet Set” after unloading at Manono.
A politician from Leopoldville, at this time still unknown, visits Manono…
…and the politician´s name was Mobotu.
The UN headquarters at Manono.
Transair C 46 operating for ONU at Kamembe/Bukavu airport.
Terminal and tower at Kamembe/Bukavu.
A UN soldier from Ghana, killed in battle, will be flown home.
TSA C 46 SE-EDP in white c/s and with ONU titles during a flight in Congo. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
SE-EDP taxiing in front of a parked Air Congo DC 4. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
UN soldiers waiting to embark SE-EDP for a flight in Congo. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Transair storage with personnel in Congo. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Maintenance of C 46 engines. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Maintenance of C 46 engines. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Proud TSA flight personnel under the body of a C 46. Far left stands Bert Collin and second from left is probably Capt. Per Adbro. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
SE-EDP taxiing out of the hangar for another flight. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Troops waiting to embark SE-EDS. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
In Albertville Capt. Gösta Almgren looks after refueling of C 46 SE-CFE. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Transair personnel from left is Björn Vatn, Wiberg and Bengt Gustafsson. Photo taken in Elisabethville during rotation of Swedish UN forces to Kamina. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Transair personnel having a break outside C 46 SE-CFE before another flight. SE-CFE is wearing all white c/s and with ONU titles. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
Photo of aircraft SE-CFF during service for ONU in Congo. This photo is taken at the airport of Kamembe/Bukavu, located just on the border to Rwanda and Lake Kivu is visible in the background. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
On this photo the same aircraft, SE-CFF is waiting for a new load of cargo. Could the airport be Elisabethville? Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
C 46 SE-EDS in full Transair Congo markings… Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
…and the interior of the cabin in cargo configuration. Photo: Transair Sunjet Set picture archives
These photos were taken after the landing accident with SE-CFB at Albertville on June 8 1963. The nose section was later used for repair of SE-CFC.
This photos show a takeoff accident with SE-CFF at Thysville, west of Luluabourg on Jan 13 1964. The aircraft was scrapped on site.
Landing chart from Leopoldville N´Djili Airport from the time of TSA operations in Congo.
Leopoldville N´Djili Airport, Congo.
These photos were all taken by Rolf “Mellis” Mellström during the Congo Operations.
Curtis SE-CFF in the hangar in Leopoldville
SE-CFF on standby in the hangar
Three men and an aeroplane: Rolf Mellström, Harry Järn and Ove Carlsson
Ove Carlsson and Rolf Mellström posing for the camera
Per-Åke Insulander and Bengt Lindwall in the cockpit
Sweden vs Africa: Rune Malmqvist and Bengt Lindwall
Walk of life: Rune Malmqvist and Bengt Lindwall
A handful DC aircraft at the ramp somewhere in Congo.Maintenance on a Curtiss C-46.Repair on a C-46 Curtiss Commando.Maintenance in Congo.Well known Transair mechanic Sten Erik Molker taking care of a pet in Congo.
