According to a thread on HMVF, the number on the front numberplate is the local Egyptian registration number, both in Western digits and in Arabic digits. And although Arabic text should be read from right to left, on these numberplate it was written from left to right...
Jan

email (option): wd.register@gmail.com

It's well known that the numbers were sometimes repeated in Arabic. But I didn't know that they also used a local numbering system?
I think it was Kostas that sent this to me years ago when researching a Triumph frame in Greece with these strange hieroglyphics for it's frame number. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Iseem to recall reading somewhere that machines supplied for use in the desert were supplied in normal military finish eg. CG3 or olive drab etc, not specially finished for the desert. This Enfield looks to be sand coloured, it merges well with the background, though I wonder if it could be a locally applied finish, it looks to be washing off the tank near the census no. One reason I ask is that many years ago, '70s,I restored an M20 and painted it in some sort of sand colour,from B&Q, as I fancied the idea it was an ex 8th army bike. Rode it a few times but could not get to like the handling, felt very dodgy compared to an Unapproachable Norton, sold it at auction, £400, I think. Since finding that this may have been a mistake I've spent many sleepless nights worrying about it.(About painting it yellow that is, not about selling it. For £400.)

Best wishes
Tony