HAL- A profound blend of aviation milestones and heritage in India
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (popularly known as HAL), is the prime manufacturer of aircraft and helicopter parts in India, with state-of-the art facilities situated in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Whoever feels the adrenalin rush of vintage aviation must definitely crash at this place.
10th. August, 2024 was not just any other day for me. The rain was playing hide and seek with the city of Bengaluru (IATA: BLR) as early as 0900 hrs., and after a hot steaming cup of tea and breakfast, I made my way from my accommodation in New Tippsandra (close to Indira nagar) towards HAL aerospace and heritage centre, covering a distance of five kilometers, navigating through the morning traffic.
Soon, we were there at the ticket counter, and even as my host parked his two-wheeler, I could feel that vibe in the air — as if the history had surrounded me. Trust me, that feeling is just inexplicable. We bought the tickets that cost 140 INR (for two) and passed through security. In no time I was welcomed by the majestic ‘A’-like structure right in front of us. “Is it a botanical garden or an aerospace museum?” I kept asking myself, such was its beauty. On the lines of the visionary JRD Tata, HAL was founded by the industrialist (late). Seth Walchand Hirachand on 23rd December, 1940.
In the 1950s, while HAL saw the mass production of the indigenously HT-2 Pushpak aircraft, there was more room for Vampire fighter jets as well, under the license. From Indira Gandhi to JRD Tata, the who’s who of that era is evident from the impressive photo galleries. Hence, I highly recommend you explore the gallery hall arranged (the circular building). Trust me, not even for a second you will feel guilty!
I took time, walked past slowly, the line-ups of vintage aircraft on display — well protected under a huge canopy, housing some of the best fighter aircrafts such as Marut (produced only in India), Canberra bomber bomber, Mig-21, Kiran, Dhruv ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), Gnat, and a lot more. If you ask me what I liked the most, then my answer would be the undoubtedly ‘Sea King’ helicopter of the Indian Navy, painted in lovely sky blue donning the Indian Air Force (IAF) roundel.
The USP of this location is the colourful garden with array of daisies and sunflowers waving at the visitors, which add make these museum pieces even more lively. We had a crazy photography session, and I was like, “No, I don’t want to go back home.” Thank god! There was a decent cafeteria where we enjoyed our masala chaai (tea), right under the tangling green canopies of trees, with the lazy raindrops gently touching the ground on a Saturday afternoon. Just adjacent to the cafeteria is a gift shop, where you are free to buy mementos, stickers, clothing, and scale models of the aircraft as a memory. May be I will buy next time!
There are two categories of visitors who come to visit such places. One are those who just seek a quick getaway with their families or partners in a casual manner, while the others (like me) come to relive those vintage moments in the best manner possible, and you too will not regret it.
Take some time out, come early, feel those turbine engines whirling virtually in your hearts, feel the craftsmanship of these warbirds, learn as much as you can, and pass it on.
Indeed, it was my dream come true at HAL, Bengaluru, and I intend to visit Dabolim Naval Museum soon. Keep flying, keep taking photos, and let us all strive to retain the precious heritage of vintage aviation in India via social media.
Pramod Sharma,
Author
