Shorts Sealand

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Category: Aircraft
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The Sealands built for the Indian Navy had up-rated Gipsy Queen engines, dual controls and extra tankage to give it six hours endurance.

The first Sealand INS-101 was handed over on 13 Jan 53 . The aircraft arrived in due course of time by February . The last of the Sealands arrived in Oct 53. The FRU, or the Fleet Requirements Unit was commissioned on 11 Mar 53 on the Sealand under the command of Lt Cdr YN Singh. The FRU used to operated from Cochin's airfield at Willingdon Island, then known as INS Vendurthy II which was soon rechristened as INS Garuda.

The Sealand was in service for ten years until 1963, when it was phased out as more and more new aircraft were inducted in service. It is believed atleast one Sealand was lost in an accident during the period. The aircraft was phased out in 1965, after just over 12 years of service.

Today a lone Sealand IN-106 survives and is on display at the Naval Aviation Museum. This Sealand was first noted on display at the Nehru Bal Bhavan in Trivandrum, Kerala. It was later moved to NIAT and then restored for display at the Museum.

 

Short Sealand

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Additional Links

  • Surviving Sealand at NAM Goa
  • Sergeant Tony Hawes Album with IN Sealands in Sri Lanka