HAL HT-2 Prototype II [VT-DFY]

There is something about Prototype aircraft of HAL making their way to the collection of Science Museums and Educational Insititutions. The cases of the HF-24 Prototypes with the Technology center/Museums in Bombay, Chennai and Bangalore are well known. In line with the policy, the prototype of the HAL HT-2 aircraft, which first flew under civilian registration in the early 1950s, can now be viewed at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. IISc, as it is known is the bedrock of technology education in India before the advent of the IITs. Students of the IISc get thier "air experience" at a nearby flying club in HAL Pushpaks and other light trainer aircraft.

HAL HT-2 prototype VT-DFY on display outside the Aeronautical dept at the Indian Institute of Science. Pic Courtesy : Vijay Simha Reddy
	VT-DFY is fenced off with a barbed wire compound and is in decent shape, having received a coat of paint recently. Pic Courtesy : Vijay Simha Reddy

The IISc has an aeronautical engineering department, which 'owns' the HT-2 on display just outside the building. The HT-2 on display is the prototype HT-2 flown by HAL. Then flown under the civilian guise of VT-DFY, the aircraft was donated to IISc quite sometime back in the eighties and is well looked after. Vijay Simha Reddy visited IISc in July 2001, when he took these photographs. The aircraft had just been painted and looked to be in quite good condition inspite of being stored outside for display.

The aircraft is tethered to concrete weights to prevent damage in high speed winds. Pic Courtesy : Vijay Simha Reddy

The IISc is not open for general public, and only visitors with prior appointment or with relevant work can go inside the IISc campus. The aircraft however is open for public viewing outside the department building and does not require any special permission once the visitor is inside.