Hindustan  Aircraft Limited HT-2 [BX-748]

After the procurement of the Sealands and the Firefly aircraft, a need was felt by the navy to start its own Ab-Initio Pilot Training, which till that point of time was being done by the IAF. Towards this goal, the Navy procured three HT-2 primary trainers from HAL, these (IN 121-123) being ferried to the FRU at Cochin in October 1956.

The FRU was re-commissioned as Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 550 on 17 June 1959. The Navy had meanwhile acquired a Jet Flight by procuring three HAL-built Vampire FB Mk 52s and a single Vampire T Mk 55 in September 1957.

HAL HT-2   BX-748 is displayed in IAF colors at the NAM. The aircraft was previously on display outisde the Main gate of Jallahalli AF Station in Bangalore.

For the NAM's Portfolio, as none of the original Navy's HT-2s exist they procured a HT-2 which was preserved with the IAF.   HT-2 BX-748 was previously on display on the roundabout just outside the entrance to Jallahali Air Force Station near Bangalore, which houses the AFTC. 

BX-748 restoration looks very good - especially the propeller and spinner.

The aircraft was moved from the roundabout to the Museum around the end of 2002. It is displayed in IAF colors at NAM.

De Havilland Vampire T55 [IN-149]

The era of Jets came to the Indian Navy with the procurement of three Vampire FB52s and one T55 two seater in September 1957. They were procured to enable the Naval airment to gain experience on Jets in view of the impending induction of the Sea Hawks.  The Naval Jet Flight (NJF), later designated as INAS 550 "A" Flight, was formed at Sulur, near Coimbatore, as the runway at Cochin was limited.

Throughout 1960, the Vampires fulfilled their function of converting pilots to jet fighter flying, these then proceeding to the UK and France for operational conversion training on the Hawker Sea Hawk and Breguet Alize respectively.

	The lone Vampire T55   IN-149 at the NAM features the emblem of the 'Phantoms' - INAS 550
The Vampire is said to have some restoration done on the forward fuselage by Cdr HP Singh's team.

It is not known exactly when the Vampires were retired, but this was probably done in the early 70s as their place was taken over by Kiran Mk 1s.

While the Vampire FB52s have not survived, the T.55 has survived and was restored by Cdr HP Singh's team from INS Hansa. The aircraft had some restoration done on the forward fuselage and sports the INAS550's Phantom emblem on the nose.