Vikrant, Mumbai harbour

Docked in Mumbai's harbour for over five years is the ship Vikrant, Indian Navy's first Aircraft Carrier which was acquired in 1961 and decommissioned in 1994. Vikrant was originally laid out as a Carrier during WW-2 as HMS Hercules, but was never completed during the war. It was in the fifties that India acquired it for the Navy and it was the flagship of the Navy for years to come. Having taken part in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the ship saw a major refit in the eighties with the addition of a Ski-Jump and requipping of its fighter squadron with the Sea Harrier.

Sea Hawk IN-246 was stored in the Hangar of the Vikrant since years, before it was moved to the Deck for the unvieling during the Navy Week. A Naval Officer checks the aircraft  on the flight deck of the Vikrant. The aircraft has a Mannequin in flight gear inside the cockpit. Pic Courtesy : Sandeep Unnithan

When it became economically unfeasible to operate the ageing carrier, the Indian Navy decommissioned the Vikrant in 1994, and it has been resting in the harbour ever since. Due to the fame it acquired during the 71 War and also due to legendary status the ship has acquired during its lifetime, the Maharashtra State government proposed to convert the Vikrant into a Maritime Museum. The process of converting the Vikrant into a museum is said to take atleast an year.

Sea Hawk IN-188 is in the hangar of the Vikrant. Complete with ejection seat, the aircraft is in very good condition. Pic Courtesy : Saurabh Lele

Even before the Vikrant has been fully converted into a museum, the Indian Navy had stationed some vintage aircraft in the carrier's hangar, to give the occasional visitor a taste of what is to come. Sea Hawk [IN-246] was the first occupant in the ship.

	Breguet Alize IN-209 underwent restoration by the Navy along with help from HAL before being bought over here. The aircraft is in excellent condition and is displayed with its Arrestor Hook latched onto the Arrestor Cable of the Vikrant. Note the   Cobra Emblem (No 310 INAS) on the chin of the aircraft. Pic Courtesy : Sandeep Unnithan
Breguet Alize IN-212 was bought to the Vikrant much later and added to the collection. It is displayed just next to the massive Ski Jump used by the Harrier jump jets. Pic Courtesy : Sandeep Unnithan

Sandeep Unnithan, who is now a correspondent with India Today , visited the Vikrant recently and found out that on the occasion of Navy week 2001, the Navy moved further aircraft to the Vikrant. The aircraft were displayed on the flight deck, on the elevator and inside the Hangar, complete with Mannequins in flying gear etc. The following aircraft are now on the Vikrant.

The Navy now has a unique collection of aircraft, besides the one at the Naval Aviation Museum, Goa. The aircraft to be seen are two Breguet Alizes, and the the Sea Kings. The Alize was restored by the Navy and HAL at Cochin and bought over here.

Westland Seaking Mk 42 IN-510  is on display inside the Hangar with its tailboom in a stowed position, and its main rotor all "tied up". Note the Crew member mannequin loading the Torpedo onto the aircraft.  . Pic Courtesy : Saurabh Lele

The Sea King helicopters are from the original batch acquired in 1970 which have been retired sometime back. They are still in their original dark blue color schemes. Two of them are on the Vikrant , and both are Ex-330 Harpoons Squadron.

This Westland Seaking Mk 42a IN-511 was one of the Sea Kings originally acquired in 1970 in the first batch. This is the third example of a Mk 42a that has been noticed in the recent days. Another example is on display inside the Hangar and one is an exhibit at the HAL Museum in Bangalore. Note the emblem of No.330 Harpoon NAS on the nose. Pic Courtesy : Sandeep Unnithan

HAL Chetak  IN-464 on the deck lift of the Vikrant undergoing last minute checks with the Navy crew . The Chetak is from No.321 Angels Naval Air Squadron.  Pic Courtesy : Sandeep Unnithan

The Vikrant was open for public from Dec 1st, 2001 to Dec 10th 2001. Currently it is being operated as a floating museum by the Navy itself.   [with inputs from Kapil Chandni , Saurabh Lele and Sandeep Unnithan]