Recently inaugurated Aircraft Museum in Kolkata by Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee, on 8th June 2022 is the second one after Visakhapatnam’s museum, which was set up in 2018.
The Aircraft Museum in Kolkata was set up at Rs. 11 crores, spread across 2.2-acres of land allocated by HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) beside the New Town Police Station. The iconic anti-submarine warfare aircraft- Tupolev-142M, is part of the Tourist and Heritage Locations to visit in Kolkata – The City of Joy.
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All About the Aerodyne – Tupolev-142M
The Warcraft – Tupolev – 142M, also referred to as The Bear, is the fastest and heaviest flying turbo-propeller war machine ever made in the world. It weighs 90,000 kilograms and is 175-foot long. The aerodyne can stay afloat for 16 hours at a stretch.
The aircraft has four engines and eight propellers developed to provide combat capabilities to the Indian Navy.
Tupolev – 142M has been in service with the 312nd Squadron (INAS 312) of the Indian Navy for almost 30 decades, from 1988 to 2017. The aircraft was later decommissioned to be replaced by Boeing’s 12th P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy.
The Navy has used the Tupolev – 142M Aircraft for anti-submarine warfare operations and long-range maritime reconnaissance for three decades.
Project Aircraft Museum – Kolkata
A heavier than regular aircraft – Tupolev – 142M, designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau of USSR, was brought in pieces from INS Rajali near Chennai, India’s premier naval air station in Tamil Nadu’s Arakkonam. The aircraft was assembled in New Town, Kolkata and installed in February 2020 by KMDA (Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority).
Once the installation was complete, the project was handed over to HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited). The government-owned enterprise created parks for kids, game installations, ticketing booths and security facilities. You will find an aircraft model that doubles up as a play zone with slides for kids to connect with the essence of the aircraft.
The Aircraft Museum Project was launched to collaborate with the Indian Navy and the Kolkata government to promote and preserve the history of the Indian Navy for educational purposes. The heritage display of Tupolev-142M would inspire the youth to join the Indian Navy and serve the country with pride. The government and Navy officials have stated that installing the war machine will give the youth insight into how the Naval officers serve and protect the country.
see also – The Met Museum: A Hotpot of Gothic, Neoclassical and Medieval Architecture
Saluting the War Machines and its Achievements
The Indian Navy is extremely proud of the Tupolev – 142M for its service for 30 years. The aircraft has been part of most of the Indian Navy’s major naval operations, creating history for the country. These operations are – Operation Cactus (1988) in the Maldives, Operation Vijay (Kargil, 1999), and Operation Parakram (2002).
Did you know?
The Tupolev – 142M Aircraft has a record of 30,000 accident-free flying hours and a diverse range of about 23,25,000 kilometres, equivalent to spiralling around the Earth about 50 times.
It gives the Indian citizens an immense patriotic feeling to witness the Naval Aircraft that served and protected the country for 30 years.
Aircraft Museum Timings
One can experience the aircraft and learn about the history of the Indian Navy at the museum.
The timings are –
Monday to Friday – 2:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday – 12 noon – 8:30 pm
