From September 1979 Egypt started to receive the first of 35 ex-USAF F-4Es for operation by the 222nd Fighter Regiment here at Cairo West. They were found to be a challenge to operate and maintain, being far more complex than the MiG-21s to which they were accustomed. However by 1885 serviceability had improved considerably and a further seven were obtained in 1988. They were replaced by F-16s and withdrawn during the 1990s. This aircraft was formerly 67-0373 and now guards the gate of the airbase.

Originally E8733, the letter R appears to have been added to the serial when the aircraft was rebuilt as a trainer. With 47 Squadron at the time of the photo. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

G-AAXE passing leisurely over the Suez Canal on the sector between Alexandra and Gaza. It was destroyed in a hangar fire at Karachi on May 31, 1937. Photo from: D.W.F Bonham-Carter DFC (via Jim Cownie)

Photographer not known

on short final to Cairo's rwy 05C

F-AJAI flew in the Middle East with Air France and the Société des Transports du Proche-Orient (STPO). In 1937 it was bought by Capt Georges Goumin, who served at Rayak in Lebanon. Goumin was recalled to France in 1938 and led a group of pilots escaping to England in 1940. Wearing the cream and orange colours of STPO with the logo of the Aéro-Club Maurice Noguès in Damascus, F-AJAI is seen during a trip to Luxor. The pilot here may still be Goumin, even if the given 1939 date is correct, according to researcher Michel Barrière. Registration allegedly stricken in April 1939. In 1942 the aircraft served with the Free French forces as FL-AUM. Photo from: Gérald Garitan

Before being displayed with serial 621 - the plate says it's a Vultee BT-13A..

previous ID was 7320

Previously displayed without any serial

serialed 5908 before

The Oases Trophy contest in Egypt in December 1933 consisted of a two-day rally, the Circuit of the Oases, plus a speed trial. Karl Schwabe in his Klemm, D-2728, took third place in the rally according to Flugsport magazine. After the event, he headed for Cape Town. Photo from: Stadtarchiv Böblingen

'Heliopolis. A general view showing the aerodrome of the Imperial Airways, Ltd.' This was principally RAF Heliopolis. A Vickers Victoria with its biplane tail is parked near one of the hangars. The grand building with the circular portico is the Heliopolis Palace Hotel, today the Egyptian presidential palace. The airfield is now a military area used by the Republican Guard, including a heliport. It is not the same as Almaza (HEAZ), which was built around this time, in 1932, a few kilometres away near the top right corner of this picture. The two locations are often confused. Photo from: Library of Congress

This is RAF Heliopolis in Cairo - not the same airfield as Almaza (HEAZ). Some of the buildings look more modern than the aircraft, but then the Valentia looked outdated from the outset. Nevertheless, the type served well into WWII, sometimes still uncamouflaged. The second machine, K3605, even flew a bombing sortie against Italian troops at Sidi Barrani, Egypt in November 1940. The third, K3163, has its serial painted as KR3163, being a rebuilt Victoria. These are No 216 Sqn aircraft.

'Flying over Cairo before landing at Heliopolis.' Built in 1940 as NC33617 for Catalina Air Transport of Long Beach, California. Impressed in July 1941 as a C-56C, serial 42-53503. Transferred to UK as a Lodestar Mk I, AX759, in September 1941, and to BOAC as G-AGCM that same month. To RAF as VR955 in August 1946. Withdrawn from use in April 1947. Photo by: N S Clark / Imperial War Museums

There are many photos of the Bristol Bombay prototype, K3583. L5857 was the last of 50 production aircraft, delivered by Short & Harland, Belfast in June 1940, still without engines. Photo believed taken circa May 1941. L5857 was lost in an air raid at Kufra, Libya, on 25 September 1942. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

An Egyptian McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, not a scrap of ID info to be found. Seen at the Egyptian Air Force Museum which is adjacent to Almaza Air Force Base.

An Egyptian Antonov An-2 Colt. Seen at the Egyptian Air Force Museum which is adjacent to Almaza Air Force Base.