Egyptian Jet Fighter Helwan Ha-300

What would become the Helwan Ha-300 started as a Spanish design by Willie Messerschmitt while he worked for Hispano Aviación. The design was to use the Bristol Orpheus engine, while the airframe was to be validated by a glider. Unfortunately the glider proved unstable and incapable of take-off. This was later confirmed by wind-tunnel testing. The engine became unavailable, which along with the design delays and cost over-runs saw the project cancelled in 1960.

Egypt bought the Hispano Aviación design and employed Messerschmitt and his team who moved to Egypt to continue the project. Austrian jet expert Ferdinand Brandner also joined the team to design a turbojet to replace the abandoned Orpheus.

The first prototype powered by the Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 703-S-10 first flew on 7 March 1964 attaining mach 1.13. It was joined by the second prototype on 22 July 1965. The third prototype was fitted with the Brander E-300 engine however, ground runs revealed teething problems, and the aircraft never flew. In May 1969 the project was cancelled.