picture 186409

MiG-15bis serial number 2648, a reconstruction of which is shown here, was one of at least two jets of No. 24 Squadron UARAF still at Jebel Libni when that base came under attack from Mirage IIICJs from No. 117 Squadron. While Egyptian ground crews managed to start repairing 2648, one MiG-15bis – probably serial number 2664 (based on pilot log-books) – was completely destroyed by multiple 30mm hits and the resulting fire. Notably, during overhauls at Helwan in the mid-1960s, these jets were modified to carry MiG-17-type drop tanks and received a pair of double launchers for Sakr unguided rockets under each wingtip – but never received rear-view mirrors atop their cockpit transparencies. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)