In the last two decades, many a time especially when the old HAL airport in Bangalore was in use I have seen this museum, but never went inside. Probably, because the younger me was busy working and had little interest outside software? Nowadays, without any hesitation to spend time, I seem to drop into many of the tourist places.
Only today, on the way back after my day meetings, I stopped in front of this museum and went in. The security guard stopped and pointed me to the ticket counter. I bought an entry ticket for Rs.50 (US 70 cents) and a separate one at Rs.20 for my smartphone camera.
A good quote in the surrounding garden – “A Good Garden Is Like a Good Book You Always Enjoy Starting It Again”
Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, established in 2001, to showcase the growth of the Indian aviation industry and HAL for six decades. The museum houses displays of various aircraft and helicopters, Aircraft engine models, Flight simulators, a mock Air Traffic Control Tower and an exhibit of Indian aviation history.
//There are two halls, one displaying the photographs of the growth of aviation in each decade from 1940 till date and a Hall of Fame which takes the visitors through the Heritage of Aerospace & Aviation Industry in India. The second Hall highlights the various functions of an Aero Engine by displaying motorized cross sections of various models of Aero Engines. Real Engines such as Garret (for Dornier Aircraft), Adour (for Jaguar Aircraft) and Orpheus (for Kiran Aircraft) can be seen here along with Ejection Seat with Parachute; and Pushpak & Basant Aircraft. The outdoor garden has displays of aircraft and fighter jets such as MARUT, MIG-21, HT-2, KIRAN, CANBERRA, AJEET, LAKSHYA (Pilotless Target Aircraft) & many more.//
The closest I have come to India’s indigenously designed Advanced Light Helicopter “Dhruv”. — at HAL Aerospace Museum.
Various fighter jets including legendary MIGs – HAL Museum, Bangalore
SEA KING MK 42 made by GKN Westland Helicopters, UK and used extensively by Indian Navy — at HAL Aerospace Museum.
More view of SEA KING MK 42
(Clockwise) A GSLV model, Aerospace developments in the decade of 1940-150, and, Hindustan HUL-26 Pushpak was a 1950s Indian two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, based on the Aeronca Chief.
My new cap (actually a parachute)
I was able to spend about 20-30 minutes going through the exhibits, I found it to be okay. It could’ve been more engaging, I saw nothing that was interactive – to be fair, I didn’t try the simulator which was said to be on the first floor. Compared to the old photos you see in Wikipedia page for the museum and the pages of TripAdvisor, the current maintenance of the place seems to be poor and not well kept. You may visit this museum if you are in the nearby areas or if your kids are really into aeronautics.
India’s PSLV Heat shield on display (it is massive) – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Like every other museum, there was a souvenir shop with models of HAL aeroplanes – I bought a MIG-23 model for Rs.480
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