Hawker Sea Hawk [IN-234]

With the imminent procurement of the INS-Vikrant, India's first aircraft carrier in the late 50s,  A decision to equip the carrier with the Hawker Sea Hawk FGA Mk6 jet fighter as the mainstay. The first 24 of these Sea Hawks were delivered in the autumn of 1959.  And the first fighter squadron INAS 300 was commisioned  on 7 July 1960.

The Sea Hawk would serve just over two decades before being replaced by the Sea Harrier. During the course of its service, a total of 45 FGA 6s (IN-151 to IN-195) and 28 FGA Mk100s (IN-230 to IN-257) were procured. The Mk 100s were modified aircraft that originally saw service in the German Navy.

Hawker Sea Hawk  IN-234, during its early days in a pristine paint scheme
	Years later, inspite of the faded paintwork, Hawker Sea Hawk  IN-234, is still an impressive aircraft.

The Indian Navy operated a Sea Hawk in airworthy condition as late as 1988 or so. But this aircraft has been retired and donated to Germany. Today atleast 11 Sea Hawks are known to exist around the country. Six of these with the Navy. One Sea Hawk has been donated overseas.

A lone Mk100 is on display at the NAM. The aircraft overall looks complete and in good condition, as can be seen in the photograph. Special care has been taken to cover the canopy from turning opaque.

Breguet Alize [IN-202]

At the time of procuring the Sea Hawk, the Navy selected the Breguet Alize as its Anti Submarine and Maritime Surveillance aircraft. The Alize was a turbo prop aircraft with a crew of three. The first of the Alizes formed the core of INAS 310 'Cobras' in March 61. Since then a total of 15 Alizes [IN-201 to IN-215] were procured by the Navy.

Breguet Alize "IN-202" is in pristine condition complete with its engine. The aircraft is displayed with the wings folded position. The NASDO buidling which houses the Museum can be seen in the background.
	The Alize as seen from the first floor of the NASDO building. Note the rear entry hatch for the third crew man.

The Alize saw service during the Goa Operation, 1965 War, the 1971 India Pakistan War and also in the 1988 IPKF Operations in Sri Lanka and the Coup suppression in Maldives. During its time, four Alizes were lost in accidents and operations. Today as many as five Alizes are known to exist. The fates or whereabouts of the remaining six are unknown.

The Alize that survives in the NAM is IN-202, in light blue / dark blue two tone scheme. The aircraft is in pristine condition apart from the fading paint and is probably the most complete aircraft on display. The aircraft is displayed with the bomb bay doors open.

	IN-202 with its spiral painted Spinner. The aircraft is strangely missing the 'Cobras' insignia which is usually painted on the cowling under the propeller spinner.
IN-202 during its operational days - with a paint scheme that featured a line of stars adorning the rear fuselage. This paint scheme has not been seen anywhere else after that.

An earlier photo of IN-202 shows the aircraft in operation on the INS-Vikrant. Apart from that specifics of its service are not known.

There is not much one can add on the vintage fighter display except that it does not need any additional work. Both the aircraft have survived in reasonably intact condition and look quite good.  The Sea Hawk and the Alize were restored for the NAM by a team led by Cdr HP Singh, and they fully deserve the credit for the excellent condition of the aircraft.