Hawker Sea Hawk

	HAWKER SEA HAWK

[ Naval Gallery ]

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	This two-photo sequence (top to bottom) illustrates a Sea Hawk taking off, while another gets ready for T-O. Notice the aircraftsman - at the bottom of the image - guiding the second Sea Hawk in line for T-O. In the second image, the cockpit of the Sea Hawk can be barely seen. Circa 1970s.
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	A split-second image of a Sea Hawk as it takes-off from the deck of INS Vikrant. The vessel in the background is none other than INS Mysore C60 - a Crown Colony Class light cruiser. Circa 1970s.
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	When India joined the carrier club in 1961 with the commissioning of INS Vikrant, the Hawker Sea Hawk fighter was just leaving Royal Navy service. The Indian Navy purchased twenty four Royal Navy aircraft from surplus stocks of the FGA Mk.6 variant. These were delivered to India in 1960 to commence trials prior to embarking in the new carrier. This rare photograph shows a flight of four off the British coast prior to delivery.
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	It is even more rare to find pictures of Indian naval aircraft operating at sea. This is a delightful shot of a Sea Hawk aboard INS Vikrant, about to be launched from the steam catapult. The letter 'W' on the tail of the aircraft identifies it is coming from the carrier, but unfortunately, the sun has obscured the leaping tiger unit badge (No.300 White Tigers Squadron) on the nose. No.300 Squadron was the sole unit to operate the Sea Hawk.
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	Excitement on the deck of the INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy's sole aircraft carrier during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, as a Sea Hawk takes off, while another readies itself. The Sea Hawk served in the FGA (fighter ground-attack) role.
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	Sea Hawk FGA Mk.6s taking off from INS Vikrant in the Bay of Bengal for a training sortie. The Sea Hawk enjoyed a long and successful career in Indian Naval service, commencing in 1960 and continuing until 1983.
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	An all-black Sea Hawk lands on INS Vikrant using an arrester hook. Another, with wings folded, can be seen in the corner. No.300 Squadron's insignia, painted in white, can be seen on the nose.
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	Sea Hawks played a part in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars, operating from shore-bases at Jamnagar and Santa Cruz in 1965 and from the INS Vikrant in 1971.
	Sea Hawks lie parked on the deck of the INS Vikrant. Drop tanks and under-wing pylons can be clearly seen.
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	Three Sea Hawks lying parked on the deck of INS Vikrant, demonstrates the Indian Navy's early air power.
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