Naval Aviation Museum - A High Flying Place
By: Daniel F. de Souza
If you think the words Harpoons, Missiles, Torpedoes, Sonobuoys, Depth
Chargers and bombs reminds you of war, then it's a high time you do a rethink.
If you care to spare an hour or two perhaps you could have a first hand account
of the above. Besides that, you could have a closer look at other things too at
the country's one and only Naval Aviation Museum situated along the Vasco-Bogmalo
road barely six kilometres from the Port City of Vasco.
This Naval Aviation Museum established in Oct'1998
is the only one of it's kind in the whole of Asia. May be perhaps, it has not
received the publicity it rightly deserves and hence remained unvisited and
unseen by many Goans, a landmark in our own land. It remains open from 10.00 am.
To 5.00 p.m. on all days except Mondays. The entrance ticket is RS. 15/- per
adult and Rs. 5/- per child.
Situated atop a plateau overlooking the wide expanse of the Arabian Sea
where from you can get to see the Park Plaza Beach Resort on the Bogmalo
Beach and virtually breathe in the beauty of nature in its entirety. This Naval
Aviation Museum is divided into two sections one that is out-door in the open
air and the other that is housed indoors. As one enters the Main Gate one is
welcomed by the site of the huge 'Super Constellation' standing like a sentinel
keeping a watch over the entire place. This Aircraft was first used by the
Indian airlines for transporting passengers, later on it was passed on to the
Air Force for use as a transport craft. Thereafter the Navy borrowed the same
from the Air Force and till now lies in their custody, though de-commissioned.
As you walk into the outdoor section of the museum you are greeted on the
left by the display of the various Aircraft engines like the Sea Hawk,
Helicopter engine, Sealand Aircrafty engine and a old Fire Engine too used by
the Navy in the early 60's. As you move a little further there are the seven
different aircraft on display.
1.Sea Harrier, a single sitter Jet Fighter used as a reconnaissance aircraft. It
has the short landing and take-off capability. Made in the United Kingdom, the
first Sea Harrier arrived at the INS Hansa on 16th December l993. This ski-jump
compatible aircraft is presently in use and on board the country's aircraft
carrier INS Vikraat.
2. Dove, a twin engine aircraft was used for light transportation and a variety
of other roles all over the world. Made in the UK it first flew in l945 for the
IAF and later for the Navy. It is now de-commissioned.
3. Sealand, derives the name from the very fact that it played a dual role of
plying on land as well as on the sea. Used as a transport vehicle this twin
engine amphibian aircraft made in the U.K. can accommodate 5 people. It was
gradually phased out after the commissioning of the aircraft carrier
4. Seahawk, A single sitter single Engine Jet Fighter this fighter plane was
used on the Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The First Indian Pilot Lt. Cdr. R.H.
Tahiliani (Who later went on to become the Chief of Navy Staff) was the first to
land and arrest a Seahawk on Board the Vikrant on 18-5-1961. This fighter jet
took part in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and it was later phased out by the year 1983.
5. Vampire, This small bodied side-by-side 2 sitter fighter trainer version was
commissioned on 1-9-61 and later phased out in 1976.
6. Hughes, A two seater helicopter with side-by-side seating in plexiglass
cabin, made in the USA was used by the Indian Navy for various assignments.
7. Alize, A huge structure different from all the others on display, this is a 3
seater carrier borne anti-submarine and reconnnaisance aircraft. Alize was
inducted in the Indian Navy in the year March 1961. Made by Breguet Aviation, in
France, this aircraft can carry weapons, torpedoes, or
3 160 kgs. Capacity depth chargers and 2 missiles under its outer wings. Alize
took part in the 1971 Indo Pak War. It is now de-commisioned.
As you enter the indoor section of the museum one gets the feeling that you are
entering the aircraft carrier INS Viraat itself. Since on either sides of the
corridor are neat paintings of the interiors of the Viraat thereby creating a
natural ambience as though one is at sea on board the
Viraat. The other rooms too are planned with the ship in mind.
First on your left is the room where all armaments are on neat
display. Here you come in close contact with torpedoes, bombs of varying sizes,
rockets, war heads, missiles, depth chargers etc, and for a moment you are
stunned to see these exhibits which have been invented by man only to
destroy…life and property in the name of national security. But then, everything
is fair in love and war, isn't it?
As you come out of the armament room you are faced with the 'Sonobuoy Room'.
Sonobuoys are Sensors that are used by Aircraft for detection of underwater
enemy targets. There are three types of Sonobuoys namely; Active, Semi-active
and Passive. These Sonobuoys are dropped in a pre-determined pattern. The
seawater activates its batteries. A hydro-phone picks up sounds of under water
dangers and transmits them to the aircraft by means of a radio link. Thereafter
the aircraft takes further course of action based on the data transmitted by
these sensors.
The Suraksha Room has on display the various gadgets and protection gear
used by the naval personnel while at sea and in air in the event of any dangers
and eventuality. The floating dingy complete with ration, medicines and other
utilities which might be of help in times of emergency are on full display.
These protective devices and gear can help to keep the accident victim alive for
3 days before help arrives. Other items on display here are the parachute,
Fighter Pilots's Ejection Seat, Pilot's outfit etc.
A little further there is the Multimedia Room, which houses the simulator. Here
the children and adults too can have a first hand experience of the Jet Fighter
cockpit in a simulator. This section will certainly arouse your interest and
tempt you to take on the controls…..just for the heck of it.
Do try your hand at it and feel the excitement and pleasure of bombing the enemy
targets yourself.
While you walk along the corridor admiring the beauty of the place you notice "Shradhanjali"
the granite slab adorning the wall paying tributes to all the men in uniform who
laid down their lives while flying for their motherland from the year 1958 to
1997.
Adjacent to this is the heart of the museum, the "Hall of Silence". This is the
Meditation Room. The place is serene, cool and calm. Has an instant soothing
effect on your mind body, and soul. Richly done up in granite a beautiful
painting in blue colour brightly lit adorns one wall. The painting depicts the
Swan Hans emerging out of the blue water with more birds nestling on its wings,
each representing one type of the aircraft and holding on to the strength of the
Swan as the birds fly high up soaring to conquer the sky. Do not forget to enter
this hall, but, remember
to keep your footwear out.
The bigger hall has the photo gallery where old photos are on display profiling
the Naval Aviation History from 1959 onwards in pictures and footnotes. Black
and White Photos of "Operation Vijay" during the liberation of Goa are also on
display. Here one can have a pip into history. Photos showing Gen. Chawdhury
entering Panaji on 19-12-61, Major Gen. K.P. Candeth taking the salute at the
Secretariat at the end of 'Operation Vijay', Citizens at Panaji greeting the
Indian Army and Surrender Ceremony at Panaji are well documented and preserved
for posterity.
One Section displays the set of uniforms worn by the different cadres of the
Naval Aviation Wing. Proto-types of the various aircrafts are exhibited besides
a big model of the country's first Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant is also
prominently displayed.
On your visit to the Museum do not forget to step into the small Museum Souvenir
Shop. It stocks various items from pens to key chains, leather wallets, and caps
and T-Shirts too and pick up a memento or two to remind you of your visit to
this beautiful landmark in your own beloved Goa.
The Naval Aviation Museum is worth going miles to see for it's a source of
knowledge and inspiration to our youngsters to instill in them the love to join
the defense forces and live a life full of courage and adventure. Seeing the
exhibits on display here the younger generation may be motivated to take on the
challenges to serve their motherland. This holiday season, all for those in Goa
and those of you visiting your motherland let the Naval Aviation Museum be the
number one item on your itinerary. I bet you will enjoy the trip, you can take
my word for it. As a suggestion, one can plan the visit to the Museum in such a
manner so as to wind it up with a
picnic at the scenic picnic spot at 'Hollant Beach' just about two kilometres
from this point.
Report & Photos By Daniel F. de Souza