HAL Gnat at Kerala Science Museum

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Thiruvanathapuram ::

Published on Thursday, 24 December 2009 18:10

Vikaspuram

HAL Gnat E261 seen at the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum.

Located in the heart of Thiruvanathapuram, in Vikaspuram area, is the Kerala State Science & Technology Museum (KSSTM). KSSTM is an autonomous organisation, setup by the Government of Kerala in 1984. It functions as a Science Museum, and is also a study cum recreation centre and an important tourist attraction. KSSTM has in its possession a solitary HAL Gnat that is displayed outside the main building.

The Gnat was first reported by George Joseph, who subsequently took these pictures on a visit to the museum. The aircraft bears the serial E261, which probably indicates that it is a pre-1971 example built by HAL. No further details of the type's history or provenance have emerged, though it is likely to have come from the BRD at Sulur.

	An information board is displayed under the forward fuselage.
The tail portion of the Gnat showing the serial number

All Photos Courtesy of George Joseph