India’s first air force heritage centre is set for inauguration in Chandigarh
The centre has simulators, decommissioned aircraft, aero engines and other IAF artefacts.
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A souvenir shop equipped with the IAF’s memorial and scale models has also been set up. (Express Photo) An Indian Air Force heritage centre, the first of its kind in the country, has come up in Chandigarh’s sector 18 and is awaiting inauguration. The centre demonstrates five vintage aircraft and provides visitors with cockpit exposure and an experience on flight simulators.
“It is the first heritage centre of the IAF and reflects the role of IAF in all the wars as well as equipping itself with modern paraphernalia like augmented reality, virtual reality, hologram, simulators & electro mechanical enclosures. The most interesting part is that it’s the only heritage centre where the first IAF-made patent aircraft, Air Force Kanpur 1, (made by Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh in 1958) is positioned,” a senior officer said.
Sources in the Chandigarh administration said that a date of inauguration had been sought from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and that he was expected to visit by the last week of April.
A beautiful wall consisting of 58 vintage and retired aircraft of one foot will serve as a treat to the eyes of the visitors. (Express Photo)
Also at the centre is the Indian Air Force tableau that was displayed at Kartavya Marg on Republic Day. All the scale models of this tableau, such as the Tejas fighter aircraft, Netra aircraft, Prachand helicopter, Airbus C 295, Integrated Air Command and Control System work station and a global satellite are on display.
A souvenir shop equipped with the IAF’s memorial and scale models has also been set up. A theme- based cafe will also be operational for the public.
All the scale models of the tableau that were presented at Kartavya Marg on Republic Day are also on display. (Express Photo)
This centre has around 17,000 square feet area that highlights the role of the IAF in various wars. There would be guides to help visitors on Air Flight Simulators and cockpit exposure.
The senior officer added, “All relevant tests like fire fighting, electrical and air conditioning running have been carried out successfully. We were informed by group captain P S Lamba, project director of the IAF Heritage Centre, that this centre is fully ready to be handed over to us (Chandigarh administration) now.”
This centre has around 17,000 square feet area that highlights the role of the IAF in various wars. (Express Photo)
A beautiful wall consisting of 58 vintage and retired aircraft of one foot will serve as a treat to the eyes of the visitors. “We have been informed that gradually, this centre will also be updated about various rescue operations being undertaken by the IAF all over the country and at the world level. Initiatives undertaken by the Air Force Family Welfare Association for the benefit of the families of air warriors at the station, regional and central levels will also be shown through projectors,” he added.
In June 2022, a memorandum of understanding on the heritage centre was signed between the Chandigarh administration and the Indian Air Force in the presence of Banwarilal Purohit, governor of Punjab and administrator of Chandigarh.
It was stated that the centre will have simulators, decommissioned aircraft, aero engines and other IAF artefacts. The centre will employ virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
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