Hawker Sea Hawk [IN-172], Cochin
WoI Correspondent Kapil Chandni on his visit to Cochin.

In some ways, it was strange not to come across any Warbirds in Cochin, navy ones even more so considering the fact that INS Garuda, is considered the birthplace of Naval Aviation ever since the Fleet Requirement Unit(FRU) was set up there in 1951.

Prowling about looking for Warbirds in the Naval installations could have caused this spotter a trip to the brig as this was just after Sep 11 and suspicions about everyone and everything were at their 'paranoidest'. So you can imagine the glee on my face when cabbing it back to the airport,there I come across this erstwhile ruler of the Indian Ocean's many hued sky.

My jaw dropped, I told the cabbie--'Gaadi Roko' ['halt the vehicle']. He was so startled he did exactly that and quickly. I had the door open already and jumped out with my ever-loyal Minolta. I had to reach the airport shortly so I hurriedly clicked what I could. Someday I shall return to take even better pictures.

The Sea Hawk IN-172 is as seen on display in Cochin town. The aircraft is in the unique flying position with gear retracted and with droptanks and even dummy rockets under its wings. Note the serial number in large letters just ahead of the inlets. Usually the Sea Hawk has the serial numbers on the rear fuselage in small letters. Pic by: Kapil Chandni

IN-172 was in extremely good condition, and it was displayed on a concrete platform in a flying position. Out of reach of the common people, yet in close view, the mode of display is ideal.

The aircraft had droptanks and even two dummy rockets underneath its wings. The Cockpit ofcourse seemed sanitised, with everything removed.

The clean lines of the Sea Hawk are very much evident in this view of IN-172 from the front . The aircraft is at Pallady, on the road to Salem. Pic by: Kapil Chandni

Perhaps to preserve the identity of the aircraft, the serial number was painted in large numbers on the front fuselage. This sort of identity was never carried by serving Sea Hawks.  A Small plaque on the concrete platform gives the date of installation of the aircraft there.

I am trying to trace this particular aircraft's history. From traversing the world on that Queen of the Indian Ocean ,the INS Vikrant to a quite retirement in a Cochin suburb,it has been an interesting journey for IN 172 to say the least.

If only airplanes could talk.....all of us would be enthralled listeners.