I have had a collection of photos sent to me from the Egypt & Palestine Campaign.
This very interesting one is of a crashed plane that looks quite serious. It was taken anytime from March 1916.
The only clues are the tail number of B16? and the word "Polygon" written on the back.

Does anyone know where and when this might have been and the fate of the occupant(s)

I can say that the aircraft is a Nieuport, but it will take some of our friends with more resources than I to ID it further. Since the third digit looks like a 0 or 8, it shouldn't be difficult to narrow it down.

I have to say that from the way the wings are folded, it looks like a fairly high-impact crash rather than just a nose-over, so it could well have been fatal.

It looks like a Nieuport 17 or 21, one of many bought in France for service with the RFC. Several of these aeroplanes were shipped to Egypt for training purposes after active service on the Western Front. The band around the fuselage could be a faded red - like the roundel colour - which might suggest earlier service with No 29 Sqn.

Hopefully, Mick Davis will have definite information.

Gareth

Indeed the starboard lower wing appears to be missing altogether, failure and loss of the lower wing, possibly due to flutter, was sometimes a (fatal) problem with the Nieuport design (as Albatross found when they coppied it).

It's obviously a Nieuport 23 in the serial range B1600-B1609. Several from that range ended up in Egypt. From the listing I compiled for the CCI Nieuport book, the possible candidates are given below, with B1605 seeming the most likely


B1602 Nieuport 23 (SFA N3790).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Lt de Marmier 25.4.1917 (engine T8665JB). 60 Sqn by 8.5.1917 and victs 13.5.1917 (Lt WM Fry destroyed an Albatros D.III near Dury) and 19.5.1917 (Lt WM Fry captured an Albatros D.III near Gouy-en-Artois) and 25.6.1917 (Lt WJ Rutherford sent an Albatros D.III OOC near Dury, shared B1598 and B1619) and 3.7.1917 (2Lt FO Soden sent an Albatros D.V OOC near Graincourt). 1 AD dd ex 60 Sqn by Lt Penny 20.7.1917 (engine 7213). 29 Sqn dd ex 1 AD by Lt Rother 11.8.1917 (engine T7213). 2 AD dd ex 29 Sqn by Lt payne 7.9.1917. To Egypt in packing case ex 2 AD 14.11.1917 (NWR).
B1605 Nieuport 23 (SFA N3433).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Lt de Marmier 26.4.1917 (engine T6437J). 60 Sqn dd ex 2 AD by Lt Collier 8.6.1917 and victs 4.6.1917 (Lt J Collier), 16.6.1917 (Lt J Collier shared sending an Albatros D.III ooc near Vitry with B1619 and B1654), 21.6.1917 (2Lt RB Steele sent an Albatros C-type OOC near Brebieres, shared B1618 and B1629), 24.6.1917 (Lt DCG Murray shared sending an Albatros D.III OOC near Douai with B1569 and B1654)) and 15.5.1917 (Lt WWB Sherwood shared destroying an Albatros D.III near Vitry with B1629 and B1654). 1 AD dd ex 60 Sqn by Lt Gunner 20.7.1917. 29 Sqn dd ex 1 AD by Lt Cudemore 25.7.1917 (engine T7599JB) and victs 27.7.1917 (Lt F Rose sent an Albatros D.III OOC), 26.9.1917 (Lt HM Ferreira sent an Albatros D-type OOC) and 17.10.1917 (Capt HM Ferreira sent an EA D-type ooc). 1 AD dd ex 29 Sqn in exchange (for B6826?) 22.10.1917. 2 ASD dd ex Reception Park 1 ASD 4.12.1917. 1 Air Issues. Reception Park ex 1 AI 23.1.1918. To Egypt in packing case 12.2.1918 (flying time 224hrs16mins). X AD Aboukir. AFS Heliopolis dd ex X AD 14.8.1918, became 5 FS Heliopolis then wrecked in crash 7.9.1918 with Lt WP Smith KIFA and deleted on unit 9.9.1918.
B1606 Nieuport 23 (SFA N3354).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Adjutant de Courcelles 26.4.1917 (engine T6485J). 60 Sqn and victs 29.6.1917 (Lt GL Lloyd destroyed an Albatros D.III near Douai and sent another ooc), 7.7.1917 (Lt GL Lloyd sent an Albatros D.III OOC near Wancourt) and 23.7.1917 (2Lt FC Parkes shared an EKB driven down near Recourt with B1608 and B1652). 1 AD dd ex 60 Sqn 5.8.1917 by Lt Black (engine 8664). 2 AD dd ex 1 AD 12.9.1917 by Lt Matthews (engine T8664JB). 1 AD dd ex 2 AD byLt Wingfield 24.9.1917. 29 Sqn dd ex 1 AD by Lt de Fontenay 27.9.1917 and reported as unfit for war flying 27.10.1917 (engine 100975/WD9044, flying time 150hrs00mins). 1 AD dd ex 29 sqn by Lt Wilson 1.1.1917. 1 ASD Reception Park ex 1 Air Issues 23.1.1918. To Egypt in packing case 12.2.1918 (flying time 156hrs14mins). 22 TS Aboukir and deleted there 20.5.1919.
B1608 Nieuport 23 (SFA N3432).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Adjutant de Courcelles 27.4.1917 (engine T6445J). 60 Sqn by 26.6.1917 and victs 29.6.1917 (Lt RG Sillars sent an Albatros D-type OOC near Douai) and 23.7.1917 (2Lt AR Penny shared an EKB driven down near Recourt with B1606 and B1652) then damaged in take-off crash on practice flight 24.7.1917 with 2Lt J Baalman OK (engine T5418J, flying time 136hrs04mins). 2 AD dd wrecked ex 60 Sqn 26.7.1917. 1 AD dd ex 2 AD by Capt Law 17.8.1917 (engine T7422JB). 2 AD dd ex 1 AD by Lt Young 11.9.1917 (engine 7422). 40 Sqn dd ex 2 AD by Lt Tudhope 20.9.1917. 2 AD dd ex 40 Sqn by Lt MacLanachan 11.10.1917 (engine T7422J). To Egypt in packing case ex 2 ASD 2.11.1917 (NWR). X AD Aboukir. 38 Wing ARS dd ex X AD 15.9.1918.

Thanks for the replies, I guessed it was a Nieuport from looking at other photos.
If it was B1605 that crashed on 07-09-18 then the man who took (or at least had) the photo was in the Jericho area.

I was going to look for W.P.Smith on the CWGC site but it is inaccessible at the moment.

Here he is:
Name: SMITH, WILLIAM PERCIVAL
Initials: W P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 38th Training Wing
Age: 22
Date of Death: 07/09/1918
Additional information: Son of William Henry and Clara Smith, of 155, St. Lawrence Avenue, St. Lambert, P.Q., Canada. Born at Montreal.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: O. 236.
Cemetery: CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY

It seems strange for two people to look as if they are holding up the rear fuselage, but no real effort to keep it upright, as it seems quite balanced.
Others are crouching over something (someone?) on the far side as if applying first aid, so this could be a photo just after the crash, although the side nearest the camera looks to be the easier side to access the cockpit. No idea of the reference to "Polygon"

Thanks Kevin,

Had another close look and I don't think the man crouching is giving first aid - just examining the wing.
However it is difficult to tell if a casualty in within the wreckage. I've also re-examined the tail number.

Click to view attachment

It looks more like 166? or 168? to me.

It might be the object lying on the ground between the camera and the bulk of the wreckage.

Gareth

Hi,
I do not know if this will help.

But I came across a 'Camp Pologon, Abbassiyeh' just outside Cairo to the North East in a Regimental Diary from 1896.

I wonder if it the same place and still in use in WWI.

Regards Mark

Brilliant. Googled it and there was indeed a "Polygon Camp" near Abbassia Barracks.

Polygon Camp

Just need to check out the other possible plane numbers in case there was another crash in the area.
The man who had the photograph might have been there March - May 1916 or on leave in the area in September 1918.

You may wish to check out this site if you want to see alternative numbers go to http://www.ukserials.com/

David,

If it is Smith in B1605 the RAFM Casualty Card described the crash as being caused by taking off too steeply, stalling, and then coming back down in a spinning nose dive. The photo seems to match this sort of near-vertical crash. Having said this, I agree the enlarged serial does look a bit like B166_.

Any candidates Mick?

Regards,

Trevor

The close up does show what looks to be a 6 or an 8. Other possibilities would then be :


B1665 Nieuport 17/23 (SFA N3804).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Lt Johnson 9.5.1917 (engine 100544). 1 AD dd ex 2 AD by Lt Williams 12.6.1917 (recorded as Type 17). 29 Sqn dd ex 1 AD by Lt Ferreira 5.7.1917 (engine 100544, recorded as Type 17) and victs 16.7.1917 (2Lt WB Wood sent an Albatros D.V OOC near Ypres) and 11.8.1917 (Lt FW Wilson sent an Albatros D-type OOC) then crashed 17.10.1917 after engine failed with Lt RBR Turnbull OK (engine 7387/WD7880, flying time 150hrs00mins, recorded as Type 23). 1 AD ex 29 Sqn 18.10.1917. To Egypt 12.2.1918 (flying time given as 144hrs00mins). X AD Aboukir. 38 Wing ARS ex X AD 26.6.1918. 19 TDS El Rimel by 11.1918. 5 FS Heliopolis and deleted on unit 6.1.1919.
B1666 Nieuport 17 (SFA N3795).
2 AD dd ex Paris by Lt de Marmier 10.5.1917 (engine 100640). 1 AD dd ex 2 AD by Lt AS Keep 7.6.1917 and tested that day. 1 Sqn dd ex 1 AD 4.7.1917 by 2Lt WVT Rooper (engine 100640) and victs 7.7.1917 (2Lt PF Fullard sent an Albatros D-type OOC near Roulers at 20.35hrs), 11.7.1917 (2Lt PF Fullard sent 2 Albatros D-types OOC at 20.20 and 20.30hrs) and 13.7.1917 (2Lt PF Fullard sent an Albatros D-type OOC near Wervicq at 20.10hrs) when engine failed after combat and crashed in shell-hole with 2Lt PF Fullard OK (engine 100640, flying time 14hrs23mins). 1 AD wrecked ex 1 Sqn 15.7.1917. 2 AD dd ex 1 AD by Lt Young 10.9.1917 (engine T4768J, recorded as Type 17. To Egypt 12.2.1918 (flying time 16hrs58mins). X AD Alexandria. 38 Wing ARS dd ex X AD 26.6.1918. 5 FS Heliopolis crashed 21.10.1918 by 2Lt NM Harrison and deleted on unit 26.10.1918.
B1681 Nieuport 23 (SFA N3417).
1 AD dd by trailer 6.5.1917 (engine T6434). 1 Sqn dd ex 1 AD by 2Lt LM Mansbridge 26.5.1917 (engine T6434) and victs 1.6.1917 (Sgt GP Olley sent an EA C-type OOC near Messines at 07.50hrs, 18.6.1917 (Lt LF Jenkin destroyed an Albatros D.III near Oostaverne at 11.45hrs, shared B1630 and B3495) 23.6.1917 (Sgt GP Olley sent an LVG C-type OOC near Houthemat 15.20hrs, shared B1700), 26.6.1917 (Sgt GP Olley sent 1 Albatros D.V OOC near Becelaere at 21.00hrs), 16.7.1917 (Sgt GP Olley destroyed an Albatros D.V near Poelcapelle at 19.30hrs) and 12.8.1917 (Sgt GP Olley sent an Albatros C-type OOC near Tenbrielen at 08.00hrs). 2 AD dd ex 1 Sqn 7.9.1917 by Sgt GP Olley (engine T8471JB). To Egypt in packing case ex 2 AD 14.11.1917 (NWR). X AP Kantara. 111 Sqn dd ex X AP20.5.1918, fitted with twin Lewis armament and vict 8.6.1918 (Lt AD Gledhill sent an EA OOC) but wrecked in forced landing 11.6.1918 with Lt AD Gledhill OK. 113 Sqn dd ex 111 Sqn 18.6.1918 and on charge until @ 26.7.1918. 20 Wing ARS dd ex Palestine Brigade 16.10.1918. 22 TS (within 60 TDS) and deleted on unit 30.5.1919.

I tend to agree with this. Abbassia (Abbasiyeh) is midway between Heliopolis and Cairo and a very likely site for crash shortly after take off. Of the other three, only B1666 looks to have crashed and the pilot survived. So I'm coming to the conclusion that it is B1605 after all.

There is that No 29 Sqn style coloured fuselage band as well that suggests B1605.

Gareth