When Spain abandoned the HA-300 project in 1960, Egypt took it over from Hispano Aviación. The design team, headed by Willy Messerschmitt, moved to Helwan in Egypt to continue its work on the aircraft, albeit ambitious and costly. The first of three, powered by a Bristol-Siddeley Orpheus turbojet, flew in March 1964. The aircraft displayed here, the third and last, used an indigenous E-300 engine produced in Egypt but problems with testing and take-off runs meant it never actually flew. The project was finally abandoned in 1969.

[Nikon D300 + Tokina 12-24mm/4]

The prototype Helwan HA-300 fighter designed by Willi Messerschmitt and built in Egypt. Its serial was not worn at the time of this image.