A Canberra taking off from Akrotiri during the 1956 Suez War. The aircraft is probably a PR. 7 of No 13 Sqn, or from the 58 Sqn flight attached to No 13 during the crisis, since these were the only Canberras based at Akrotiri at that time. It carries yellow and black ‘invasion stripes’, as do the French C-47 Dakotas in the background.

Сирийский "Харвард" возвращается с боевого задания
Before Syria purchased Soviet bloc aircraft in the mid-1950s, combat aircraft invariably had olive green and light earth camouflage over their upper surfaces to help blend with the mainly Mediterranean-style countryside. The first Syrian combat aircraft were North American AT-6 Texans, such as this example.

The Royal Egyptian Air Force received its first Gloster Meteors late in 1949. Standing in front of an uncamouflaged Meteor F.4 following its delivery are, left to right, Fikri Zahir, Tahir Zaki, Salam Nofal and an unnamed, perhaps British, pilot. When the Suez crisis flared up, Tahir Zaki was in Syria helping train SAF pilots on Meteors, and he subsequently helped draw up the interception plan which resulted in the downing of the RAF Canberra.

English Electric Canberra PR.7, WH799, of No 58 Sqn RAF, on attachment to No 13 Sqn, Akrotiri, Cyprus, 1956

English Electric Canberra PR.7 WH799, photographed by the makers before delivery to the RAF in May 1954. It carried oblique and vertical cameras in the lower fuselage.

Canberra PR. 7 WH801, flown by Flg Off Jim Campbell and Flg Off R J Toseland of 13 Sqn, having its tailplane repaired after being intercepted and damaged by an Egyptian Air Force MiG-15 early on October 30, 1956. The yellow and black invasion stripes were added earlier that day, and note that the serial number, 801, has been painted on its nose undercarriage door.

Syrian Air Force pilot Mu’asetti standing in front of a newly-delivered Fiat G.55 at an unnamed Syrian air base in the mid-1950s. Painted in typical Syrian disruptive camouflage, its serial number (110) is written in small Arabic numerals at the top of the rudder.

Hafiz al-Asad, standing on the wing of a Fiat G.46-4B, together with fellow cadets at the Syrian AF Academy outside Aleppo. The photograph was probably taken in 1953 or 1954, long before al-Asad became the country’s President.

Gloster Meteor F.8 of the Syrian AF, Suez period, 1956

F.8 сирийских ВВС.
View of Syrian Air Force Meteor F.8. The aircraft was photographed just prior to delivery at Moreton Vallance.

View of Syrian Air Force Meteor F.8s flying over Syria, probably late in 1952. They carry the serial numbers 413, 411 and 412 in small Arabic numerals on the upper part of their fins.