 |
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
