4.1 Seaking Deployed

Once the Chetaks are out of sight, IN-521 finally takes off. All this happens within a span of a few seconds. 

The speed at which these helicopters effortlessly deploy, should be seen to be believed. IN-521 is quickly followed by IN-524. Not quite the lumbering beasts they were thought to be. 

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While IN-524 disappears over the horizon, IN-521 circles around and returns for further over-deck demonstration.  

IN-521 hovers low over deck, preparing the rescue winch for operation. Note the dielectric "bumps" of the Hermes ESM system. When the type was acquired, the MEL Marec-2 radar was chosen in preference to the Thales Iguane/Varan pulse compression radars. 

Rescue-hoist demonstration. A Marine commando on deck, hooks himself up with the cable and is lifted over a short distance. The commando is strangely not wearing standard uniform. 

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Once finished with the hoist demo, IN-521 proceeds to demonstrate an ASW routine by deploying its Thales HS-12 dunking sonar with lightning speed. In the early 80s, this set  was evaluated against Telephonics (Bendix King) and Type.195 sonars, with three Seakings pinging against the same sub target. Although the American Telephonics sonar performed better, the HS-12 was chosen, possibly on cost grounds. LAPADS sonobuoys will also be used in ASW missions. In a dramatic sequence (below), both the chopper and INS Subhadra close in to each other. The patrol craft has apparently been equipped with a new radar (white dome). Compare this with INS Sujatha (P56) of the same class, photographed by the author last year, in Cochin.  

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4.2 Sea Harrier launch

Pi

Pilots, wearing day-glo over-water ditch suits, perform final checks in the cockpit. IN-617 and IN-613 will not be a part of the flying display but are given engine runs.    

IN-614 makes it's way to the 300 ft mark. In a very lightly loaded condition, the Harriers can also take off from the 200 ft mark minimum. As IN-614 rolls down, the remnant of the older Dark Sea-Gray/Blue paint scheme is visible on the canopy. This also gave an initial impression that the paint was really scrubbed off and that there was no ghost-gray scheme at all.  

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Within seconds of IN-614's launch, IN-603 moves out to it's position. Under the constant tropical conditions, these, like other aircraft from the armed forces, suffer thermal expansion and can sometimes be up to 2100 lbs heavier. Water (Coolant) injection is carried out in the engine compressor in order to increase the overall thrust. The Sea Harrier's redesign facilitates for increased water injection time.   

If he doesn't reach the exact end-speed at the exact point, "plop" he goes into the water ! Immediately off the ski-jump, the nozzles are rotated -35º down from their initial position. Vertical take-off is almost never carried out as it burns too much fuel. The first carrier, INS Vikrant, was modified and fitted with an indigenous ski-jump within 7 months, initial consultants British Aerospace originally claiming that it could not be achieved within anything less than 18 months and that the structural design could not be tackled. Exit angle was within an accuracy of ±10 min. of arc, compared to the BAe specified minimum of ±54 min. of arc.   

Both Harriers approach back for a vertical landing. IN-614 is first and makes a perfect touchdown.   

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IN-603 will perform a hover over deck before landing. Perspective shot is seen below left. The aircraft demonstrates perfect stability in this state. Thermal load greatly increases during a hover. The pilot may receive basic helicopter training for familiarization. 

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IN-603 concludes the hover with a very slow descent. Exhaust fumes and distortion slowly disappear. IN-603 is carrying the combat tanks of another aircraft. 

IN-603 performs another perfect touchdown. While the Harriers were the last leave, they were also the first to return.

Once back on deck, the two Harriers are moved to the forward deck.

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