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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-6 Texan / AT-6 Harvard - СШАUSA - 1935

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor / G.41 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

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

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: FIAT G.55 Centauro / G.56 - ИталияItaly - 1942

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: FIAT G.46 - ИталияItaly - 1947

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

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 / FR.Mk.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1948

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

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 / FR.Mk.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1948

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.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 / FR.Mk.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1948