TU 142 Aircraft Museum
Tribute to Naval Aviation Heritage:: The TU 142 Aircraft Museum is a unique, must-visit attraction in Visakhapatnam, showcasing the decommissioned Tupolev-142M (a Soviet-era, long-range maritime patrol aircraft) of the Indian Navy, which served the nation for 29 years with an impeccable record of 30 ,000 accident-free flying hours. This massive plane, often referred to as the "Bear" by NATO, was transported from the INS Dega Naval Air Station and meticulously converted into a public museum, opening in 2017 right on the scenic Beach Road, opposite the popular INS Kurusura Submarine Museum. The museum's core purpose is to educate the public, especially the younger generation, on the importance of naval aviation, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and the technological prowess of the Indian Navy. The immersive experience allows visitors to walk through the fuselage of the actual aircraft, viewing the various compartments, crew stations, and operational equipment. The exhibition hall adjacent to the aircraft provides comprehensive, in-depth displays of naval gear, survival kits, powerful engines, sonobuoys, propellers, and anti-submarine missiles, all complemented by informative audio guides and interactive exhibits, making it a thrilling and highly educational experience that celebrates a vital piece of India's maritime defense history and technological achievement:
General information
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Ideal Duration:
Immersive Experience:: 1. 5 to 2. 5 Hours is ideal to walk through the aircraft, explore the exhibition hall thoroughly, and enjoy the VR experiences and photo opportunities, potentially longer if combined with the Submarine Museum:Place Type:
Military and Technology Museum:: A dedicated musEntry Fees:
Entry Fee:: The standard entry fee is typically around Rs.70 per adult and Rs.40 per child, often including a free audio guide for a self-paced tour of the aircraft.
VR Ride Fee:: The optional, highly immersive VR (Virtual Reality) Rides have a ...Entry Fee:: The standard entry fee is typically around Rs.70 per adult and Rs.40 per child, often including a free audio guide for a self-paced tour of the aircraft.
VR Ride Fee:: The optional, highly immersive VR (Virtual Reality) Rides have a separate, higher fee, usually around Rs.100 to Rs.150 per person per ride, for the flight simulator experience.
Combo Ticket:: A discounted combo ticket is often available for visitors who wish to visit both the TU 142 Aircraft Museum and the INS Kurusura Submarine Museum located directly opposite, which is a cost-effective choice for a full day of naval exploration.
Photography Fee:: There are No fees for non-commercial photography outside the aircraft, though photography inside the aircraft is often prohibited or restricted:Timing:
Regular Timings (Daily):
Monday to Friday: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Weekends (Saturday & Sunday) 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM. The museum operates mainly in the afternoon and evening, catering to tourists and evening crowds.
...Regular Timings (Daily):
Monday to Friday: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Weekends (Saturday & Sunday) 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM. The museum operates mainly in the afternoon and evening, catering to tourists and evening crowds.
Ideal Visit Time:: Late Afternoon (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) is the best time, as the weather is pleasant, and you can finish the tour before taking photos of the aircraft illuminated against the evening sky.
Avoid Midday:: The park opens only in the afternoon on weekdays, making a morning visit impossible. Visiting right at opening time on weekends can avoid peak crowds.
Best for Families:: Weekend visits are ideal for families as the museum opens earlier:Special Events:
Navy Day Celebrations (December 4th): Being a core naval heritage spot, the museum and its surrounding area, along with the Submarine Museum, are a major focus during the annual Navy Day celebrations, featuring special ceremonies, illumination, and naval band performances. <...Navy Day Celebrations (December 4th): Being a core naval heritage spot, the museum and its surrounding area, along with the Submarine Museum, are a major focus during the annual Navy Day celebrations, featuring special ceremonies, illumination, and naval band performances.
Republic Day/Independence Day:: The memorial area is a significant gathering spot for official military ceremonies and public tributes on national holidays like Republic Day and Independence Day, creating a patriotic and solemn atmosphere.
Anniversary of Opening:: The museum's opening anniversary often features special extended hours, free entry for certain groups, or lectures by former naval officers.
Special Exhibitions:: The exhibition hall occasionally hosts temporary, rotating exhibits on different aspects of Indian naval history or aviation technology:Best Photo Spots:
The Nose and Cockpit View:: The large, impressive nose section of the aircraft, especially when shot from a low angle, provides a dramatic and powerful photo that emphasizes the scale of the plane.
The Wing Span and Sky Frame:: Capturing the...The Nose and Cockpit View:: The large, impressive nose section of the aircraft, especially when shot from a low angle, provides a dramatic and powerful photo that emphasizes the scale of the plane.
The Wing Span and Sky Frame:: Capturing the massive 50-meter wingspan with the clear blue sky or the Bay of Bengal in the background, a difficult but rewarding wide-angle photo that showcases the aircraft's size.
The Entrance Ramp Perspective:: Shooting from the entrance ramp leading into the aircraft's fuselage creates a unique, forced-perspective photo of the long, narrow interior, often used to showcase the immersive experience.
The Memorial Triangle:: The area between the TU 142 Museum, the Submarine Museum, and the Victory At Sea Memorial provides a fantastic composite photo opportunity, showcasing Vizag's complete military heritage on the beach:Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Aircraft Interior Walkthrough:: Walk through the entire fuselage of the TU-142M aircraft, observing the weapon bays, sonobuoy launchers, crew stations, and anti-submarine warfare equipment, experiencing the cramped, functional space of a naval crew.
Explore the Exhibition Hall:: Spend time in the adjacent museum hall to view the detailed displays of engines, equipment, data recorders, survival gear, and historical information, utilizing the free audio guide for in-depth understanding.
Try the VR Experience:: Engage in the optional VR flight simulator or other immersive experiences offered in the hall for a more thrilling, virtual perspective of flying the aircraft.
Photography and Viewing:: Capture exterior photos of the massive aircraft against the backdrop of t...
Information
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Why Famous:
30,000 Accident-Free Hours:: The aircraft's fame is tied to its impeccable, legendary service record of 29 years with 30,000 accident-free flying hours in the Indian Navy, symbolizing naval reliability and excellence.
Unique Coastal Placement:30,000 Accident-Free Hours:: The aircraft's fame is tied to its impeccable, legendary service record of 29 years with 30,000 accident-free flying hours in the Indian Navy, symbolizing naval reliability and excellence.
Unique Coastal Placement:: It is famous for its unique, prominent location right on the bustling Beach Road, immediately opposite the INS Kurusura Submarine Museum, creating a distinct and powerful military heritage zone by the sea, a sight that is unmatched anywhere else in India.
Immersive Interior Access:: The rare opportunity for the general public to step inside and walk through the various operational compartments of a massive, cold-war era maritime reconnaissance aircraft is its biggest draw, making it highly attractive to aviation enthusiasts.
A Symbol of Naval Power:: It stands as a powerful, permanent tribute to the Eastern Naval Command and the sailors who served, often referred to as the "Pride of Visakhapatnam City": -
Architecture:
Aviation and Military Engineering:: The architecture of the museum is fundamentally the Tupolev-142M aircraft itself, a monumental piece of Soviet-era Aviation Engineering, carefully preserved and adapted for public display.
Aircraft Dimensions:...Aviation and Military Engineering:: The architecture of the museum is fundamentally the Tupolev-142M aircraft itself, a monumental piece of Soviet-era Aviation Engineering, carefully preserved and adapted for public display.
Aircraft Dimensions:: The TU-142M is a massive machine. It has a staggering wingspan of approximately 50 meters (164 ft), a length of about 53 meters (174 ft), and a height of over 12 meters (39 ft). The structural conversion involved creating a safe, climate-controlled walkway through the narrow fuselage, including the crew compartment, weapon bay, and observation stations, while maintaining the external authenticity of the aircraft.
The Exhibition Hall:: A separate, purpose-built, modern exhibition hall (adjacent to the aircraft) houses the smaller artifacts, simulators, and audio-visual rooms, featuring robust, contemporary architectural design to withstand the coastal environment and display sensitive technical equipment safely.
The Installation:: The process of disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the massive aircraft on the beach road itself was a feat of civil and military engineering that highlights the impressive logistical architecture of the project: -
How To Reach:
By Air:: Arrive at Visakhapatnam International Airport (VTZ), approximately 15 KMS away. Take a taxi or ride-share towards Beach Road and the RK Beach area. The museum is a major landmark opposite the Submarine Museum.
By Train:: Arrive at... -
Near Tourist Places:
INS Kurusura Submarine Museum (Opposite, <1 KM), Victory At Sea Memorial (1 KM), Ramakrishna Beach (RK Beach) (1 KM), VUDA Park (Taraka Rama Park) (2 KM), Visakha Museum (2 KM), Kailasagiri Park (7 KM), Ross Hill Church (6 KM), Dolphin’s Nose (6 KM), Ropeway, Kailasagiri (7 KM), Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (12 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: The steps inside the aircraft are narrow and steep; watch your step, especially with young children. Follow the naval crew's instructions strictly, especially regarding photography inside the aircraft.
Packing: Wear light,...
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