The Naval Aviation Center was set up in Vasco around the year 1998. It is one of its kind in India and is a major tourist attraction in Goa. The place has a museum that showcases the rich history and the development of the Indian naval aircrafts, different aircrafts that are used, weapons, arms, etc.
Naval Aviation Museum is a military museum, situated near Bogmalo Beach. This museum is located at a distance of 6 km from Vasco da Gama. At the museum, a show regarding the evolution of India's Naval and Aviation Forces is organised. The museum is divided into two main parts, namely indoor and outdoor galleries.
There is a big park in the outdoor gallery which features decommissioned helicopters and planes. These helicopters and planes belong to the 1940s. There are around 12 aircrafts on display in this gallery, which include HAL Chetak, Short Sealand, Sea Harrier, Hawker Sea Hawk, de Havilland Vampire and de Havilland Dove.
The indoor gallery features books and pictures of key battles fought by Indian Air Force and Naval Force. Some of the armaments and weapons are also on display at this indoor gallery.
This one is probably the only one of its kind in entire India and one amongst the few in the continent of Asia. With Bogmalo beach providing a wonderful backdrop, the museum exhibits the various type of aircraft and weapon system utilised by Indian naval air arm. A guide will accompany you on your visit and lead to the various sections of the museum. Simultaneously, this person will also provide information on various exhibits. While in the museum, make sure that you visit the armament room, the safety room and the archive hall. The first one of the three houses numerous bombs and torpedos while the second one displays complete pilot safety equipments. In this section you will also find photographs rare photographs of the liberation of Bangladesh in the year 1971. The last one, the archive hall, has a huge model of the ship, INS Virat along with photographs of Bagladesh liberation.
Other interesting exhibits of the museum include a Super Constellation and a Sea Hawk. The museum is open from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. A small entry charge of Rs 15 has to be paid.