P.1154 IN onboard INS VIRAAT

[gengriz]

The next instalment of my "in-service" 1154 pictures: 

As part of the sale of the Aircraft Carriers HERMES and BULWARK to India in 1984-85, the Indian Navy also acquired two squadrons of P.1154IN Osprey FA21 fighters. 

The aircraft were very similar to the RN variant, but modifed with some Indian specific fits to reflect the fact that they would concentrate on the surface attack role rather than air defence, including the exchange of the Red Top missile for the Matra Magic, plus the ability to carry Hawker Sea Eagle ASM missiles.

The picture below shows one of the Ospreys onboard the VIRAAT (ex-HERMES) and clearly demonstrates one of the many issues that dogged the 1154 when operating onboard the smaller aircraft carriers.  Although the aircraft were capable of folding their wings, it was their overall length that caused the most difficulty; in this respect VIRAAT's deck edge lift was a significant advantage over INS CHAKRA (ex-BULWARK).

This scale model from www.gengriz.co.uk shows the general layout of the P.1154IN;  as you can see it "mirrors" the RN variant very closely.

In RN service (previously posted):

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z311/fredtulloch/aftend.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z311/fredtulloch/P1010068final.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z311/fredtulloch/no8.jpg

[Howard of Effingham]

brilliant!

nice idea and very good execution! 

[NARSES2]

Looks absolutely right 

[sideshowbob9]

A definate shoulda been. Beautiful model 

[kitnut617]

Out of all the Harrier family, this is definitely the one I like the most, great job you've done to it too 

[nev]

Wonderfully done - looks so right.

[Captain Canada]

That looks soright. Love the photoshop as well. I found this while doing a search before posting this article so figured two birds stoned at once

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/india-to-retire-aircraft-carrier-viraat.html