Inside the belly of a flying giant: A look at the Aircraft Museum in New Town

On a two-acre plot in New Town, right opposite the Tata Medical Center and a stone’s throw away from the New Town police station, stands a sentinel that once stood guard over the seas. 

The TU-142M, called “Albatross” by the Indian Navy due to its massive wingspan, was once a long-range maritime surveillance aircraft. It has now been given a new lease in life as an interactive museum that offers a glimpse into the country’s aviation history.

This aviation showcase adds a striking new chapter to the city’s museum landscape, which is already a rich repository of historical, technological, scientific and cultural know-how. 

The retired warbird that was reborn

Built in the Soviet Union and codenamed “Bear” by NATO, the TU-142M was the world’s heaviest, fastest and highest-flying turboprop aircraft. It was the Indian Navy’s frontline anti-submarine and reconnaissance workhorse for nearly three decades, participating in key operations such as Op Cactus (1988), Op Vijay (1999) and Op Parakram (2002). 

After its decommissioning in 2017, the aircraft bearing the number IN-317, was handed over to Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) in late 2019. Getting the bird to Kolkata was an operation in itself. The aircraft was taken apart in Chennai. The disassembled parts were then placed on at least 16 trucks and reassembled on site at the Aircraft Museum in Kolkata. 

Opened to the public in 2022, the museum was built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. The project was initiated by KMDA and is now run by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO).

Step inside the Albatross 

A metal ramp leads visitors inside the fuselage, offering a rare chance to step inside a fully equipped naval aircraft. The cockpit and control panels have been retained, along with radar equipment, black boxes and samples of its armaments — including sonobuoys and depth-charge bombs approved for display by the Indian Navy.

Life-size dummy crew members — pilots, navigators, sonar engineers and weapons operators — occupy their stations, helping visitors visualise how the aircraft functioned at sea. The 90,000kg plane rests on a runway-like concrete platform fitted with guidance lights, supported by both its landing gear and hydraulic metal struts installed to bear its massive weight.

A retired ground engineer from the Indian Navy who had worked on these aircraft for more than a decade gives insights into the aircraft controls and the roles each crew member played in flying this warbird.

An ideal day-out destination for families

Apart from the warbird, the museum grounds include a children’s play area with tank and helicopter-themed rides, rope activities, a zig-zag balance frame and a beginner’s rock-climbing wall. Also on display is an old Soviet-era truck. 

These additions make the museum more than a static display meant for aviation enthusiasts. It will also hold the interest of families, school groups and curious visitors alike. People can easily spend an afternoon exploring the museum and its grounds and engaging in fun activities while learning something new.

So next time you head to New Town, don't miss visiting the Aircraft Museum. 
 

Location: New Town Police Station, DJ Block (New Town), Action Area I, New Town, Kolkata, Chakpachuria, West Bengal-700156
Timings: 2.30pm to 8.30pm (weekdays); Noon to 8.30pm (weekends); closed on Mondays
Entry: Rs 30 for all