Once a hovering sentinel over the seas, the UH-3H helicopter is prepared for its subsequent mission. Not in the skies this time, however as a everlasting museum exhibit that narrates a gripping chapter of India’s naval aviation historical past, providing guests a uncommon alternative to step inside and expertise the world of naval aviators.
The Indian Naval Air Squadron 350 de-inducted the final three operational UH-3H helicopters final 12 months. One of them was positioned as a museum exhibit in Visakhapatnam. Situated at the Beach Road, the soon-to-be inaugurated UH-3H Helicopter Museum is the newest addition in the maritime museum circuit of Visakhapatnam, the solely metropolis in India to have 5 maritime museums inside a 500 metres proximity.
The museum, which is predicted to be inaugurated shortly throughout Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s go to to the metropolis, now joins a distinguished line-up of defence-themed sights in Visakhapatnam. Just a brief stroll away, guests can discover the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, a decommissioned submarine turned immersive exhibit; the TU-142 Aircraft Museum, showcasing a maritime reconnaissance plane; and the Sea Harrier Museum, residence to the iconic naval fighter jet. Together with the Visakha Maritime Museum – which shows fashions of naval ships in numerous sizes and the glass dome of the Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Ghazi – these establishments type a compelling hall of army historical past alongside the coast.
Set to open its doorways to the public quickly, the museum will showcase the legacy of the multi-utility UH-3H helicopter, a workhorse of the Indian Navy that has performed an important function in humanitarian help and catastrophe reduction operations (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations throughout pure disasters or emergencies at land/sea.
Naval personnel fixing the interiors of UH-3H helicopter, which is able to quickly be inaugurated as a museum at the Beach Road, including to the maritime museum circuit at the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the museum enhances Visakhapatnam’s different iconic naval displays, which reside galleries of India’s maritime and defence prowess.
A charming historical past
Seventeen years of historical past lies inside the new UH-3H museum, which goals to protect and show historic info associated to the helicopter. Managed by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the museum presents a fascinating expertise for guests of all ages.
An inside view of the UH-3H helicopter museum advanced, which is able to quickly be inaugurated at the Beach Road, including to the maritime museum circuit at the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
The entryway from the glass facade opens right into a vibrant, well-lit gallery the place placing visuals and detailed shows hint the journey of the iconic helicopter. An audio-visual presentation provides a dramatic contact to the expertise, transporting guests into the cockpit of a naval aviator mid-mission. The entryway opens right into a spacious space the place the UH-3H helicopter stands tall, inviting guests to step inside and discover its highly effective options up shut. The walk-through offers a glimpse of the cockpit and the crew compartment, shedding mild on the triumphs and challenges of naval aviation.
Stellar previous
The UH-3H helicopter was developed by Sikorsky in the late Nineteen Fifties and have become a pioneering pressure in naval aviation, particularly in anti-submarine warfare. The induction technique of the UH-3H helicopters into the Indian Navy started in 2007, with the signing of a contract between India and the United States of America for the buy of INS Jalashwa, together with six Seaking helicopters (UH-3H).
Before being dropped at Indian shores, the versatile helicopters had been extensively utilized by the US Navy since the Vietnam War and had been final flown throughout the reduction operations for hurricane Katrina in 2005. These strong machines have an endurance of three hours and 45 minutes with a high velocity of 120 knots. Post their energetic service in the US Navy, six of those plane had been refurbished in Atlanta. The rebirth of the magnificent flying machines was full as they had been positioned on the deck of INS Jalashwa, steaming in direction of its new residence, Visakhapatnam. It was inducted into the Indian Navy on March 24, 2009 at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam.
The plane was named after the Indian crane sarus, embodying power, grace and vigilance. With its exceptional functionality to navigate stormy seas and rescue these in peril, the UH-3H helicopter grew to become greater than only a machine. It grew to become a lifeline, bringing hope to these of their moments of despair.
Personnel of Eastern Naval Command organising a Sikorsky UH-3H seaking helicopter so as to add to the maritime hall on the Beach Road close to TU-142 plane in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
On June 28 2024, the Indian Navy bid farewell to the UH-3H helicopter after 17 wonderful years of service. Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, in his farewell speech on the event of de-induction ceremony of UH-3H helipcopter stated: “Over these 17 years, the UH-3H has been a symbol of hope for countless men, women and children. The squadron has undertaken numerous HADR missions within the State of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha, which is prone to cyclonic storms and floods,” and added: “The legendary exploits of UH-3H will remain etched in our memories, inspiring future generations of naval aviators and personnel.”
Light and sound present
People watching the mild and sound present depicting the 1971 India Pakistan struggle, sacrifice of defence personnel, and the function of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at ‘Victory at Sea’, on the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
Visakhapatnam’s bond with the Indian Navy runs deep, with the Eastern Naval Command headquartered right here. In a seamless effort to have interaction the public, the Navy additionally hosts a weekly mild and sound present each Sunday at the Victory At Sea Memorial (a memorial constructed after the Indo-Pakistan struggle of 1971) on the Beach Road. Presented in English and Telugu, the present highlights the maritime power and legacy of the Indian Navy, drawing each locals and vacationers in massive numbers.
Published – April 25, 2025 05:34 pm IST
