One of those where, when, what and why photo questions

I’ve had this photo since selecting it from an Aviation Society clubroom ‘bring & buy’ box of aviation prints sometime early 1980s. There was a time when I used it as a starter for creative writing, getting students to imagine what had occurred before the photo and what happened afterwards. I then disappointed them by not knowing the real story!

Now longer teaching, I came across the print last week and discovered that the photo still intrigues me. Clearly a downed Arab Mig, presumably Suez rather than an Arab-Israeli conflict, but beyond that does anyone know more? Are they bringing it ashore, or floating it to take somewhere else? What is the role of the helicopter, other than to carry the photographer? Did the pilot ‘bang out’ or force land? Is the wing-tip damage the result of air or ground fire, or as a result of ditching?

Over to the experts to make of this what they will, the creative writers have had their day with this one! There is nothing on the reverse of the print to help unfortunately.

The image cleaned up a little on Picasa, the contrast altered and border added.

The photo as scanned. The surface has become abraded over time and the print is rather pale and on poor quality paper.

Zoom-in to feature just the beach party and aircraft

Further zoom in, featuring just the Mig. Slight increase in contrast to get the National markings clearer.