INS Vikrant (IAC-1) — Indian Aircraft Carrier Model, 36 in
INS Vikrant (IAC-1) — Indian Aircraft Carrier Model, 36 in
How big is it?
Length about 91 cm / 36.0 in. Drawn to scale; the model outline is a simplified shape.
Model details
- Size
- 36 in / 91 cm
- Construction
- Handcrafted
- Condition
- Fully assembled, ready to display
- Display
- Wooden base with brass nameplate
- Collection
- Battle Ship Models
- Item no.
- CM594
The larger edition of India's first home-built carrier, at 36 inches.
Specification
- 36 inches
- Handcrafted hull and superstructure
- Ski-jump bow with flight deck markings
- Island, radar arrays, masts, lifts and deck aircraft
- Mounted on a display base with nameplate
- Fully assembled
STOBAR explained
Vikrant operates on the STOBAR principle — short takeoff but arrested recovery. Aircraft launch off the ski jump under their own power and land conventionally onto arrestor wires.
It avoids the enormous complexity of steam or electromagnetic catapults, which only a handful of navies can build or maintain. The cost is takeoff weight: a jet leaving a ramp on its own thrust carries less fuel and fewer weapons than one flung off a catapult, which means shorter reach.
Russia, China and India all chose this route. The United States and France did not.
The ship
Commissioned in 2022 after seventeen years at Cochin Shipyard, using domestically developed warship-grade steel.