Republic of Singapore Air Force
Point of Contact - Squadron Duty Officer (SDO)
Refer to the CONTACT LIST under "THE ASSOCIATION" drop down menu.
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RSAF 142 Squadron |
1972: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) purchased 47 refurbished Skyhawks (40 A-4B and 7 A-4s for two seat conversion) from United States of America. The aircraft were re-designated A-4S for single seat and TA-4S for those single seat aircraft converted to two seat trainers. The "T" version of the RSAF Skyhawk was unique in that, rather than the single "clam shell" canopy common to other TA-4 models, each TA-4S cockpit had a separate canopy.
1984 to 1989: The RSAF conducted a Skyhawk service life extension program. The 8,400-lb-thrust J65 engines were replaced with 11,000 lb. thrust F404-GE-100D turbofans. Other upgrades included modified engine air intakes; new structural mounts to accommodate the F404 engines; installation of new refrigeration, hydraulic pumps, air turbine starters, and oil coolers; new sensors, cockpit instrumentation, and state-of-the-art avionics; engine and environmental control systems; higher output electrical generators; and improved air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance carrying and control capability.
In 1986 a upgrade program for the A4S-1/TA4S-1 fleet was initiated by the RSAF. This included a new engine, a non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-100D turbofan. Engine inlet changes were made to accomadate the new engine. Other improvements were and turbine starter, improved hydraulics, improved air and oil cooling. , Singapore gave the new model the designation A4S-1/F404, but it was sometimes referred to as the "A-4U". Later the aircraft's avionics package was upgraded, which included a Ferranti 4510 HUD, and a laser seeker.
19 SEP 1986:First flight of the improved model A-4SU was made by aircraft 919.
1988:A-4SU "Super Skyhawks" become operational.
1988:Re-designated as the A-4SU "Super Skyhawk," the refurbished Skyhawks became operational in 1988, and Skyhawk pilot training was fully operational in March 1989. With the total RSAF inventory of about 60 aircraft, the three Singapore Skyhawk units (142, 143, and 145 Squadrons), operating from Tengah Air Base, made up a numerical majority of that country's military aircraft.
1990s:An RSAF aircraft demonstration team, the Black Knights, performs with six A-4SU Super Skyhawks until the year 2000.
1997:The RSAF Skyhawk training unit (143 squadron) was disbanded as part of a new advanced jet training effort. The former 143 Squadron A-4SUs were shipped to southwest France in September 1998 where, at Cazaux Air Base, 150 Squadron was established for advance training of RSAF pilots. The French site was selected because of available practice bombing ranges and airspace over the North Atlantic for ACM training, as well as opportunity for electronic warfare technique practice.
31 MAR 2005:RSAF "offically" retires the A-4SU Skyhawk from its front-line squadrons. The last RSAF Skyhawk Squadron, the 142 Squadron, was dis-established on 01 APR 2005.
12 APR 2005:The SAF Advanced Jet Training Detachment (150 Squadron), currently operating from Cazaux, France, is scheduled for dis-establishment in Y2007.
12JAN06 Webmasters Note: Two of the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawks were donated to the French Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air) for static display. On 12 January 2006, a Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance signing ceremony took place between representatives of the RSAF and the French Aeronautics Museum at Cazaux Air Base in France. Since then, only 928 was put on display in the Rosette Hall of the museum while 941 was stored. BuNo 147797, 928, on display with BuNo 145071,941, in storage.
21 JAN 2010:BuNo 147797 150 Squadron 928 being restored in France.
"According to a mechanics who helped us to reassemble the plane, it took part in the Black Hawks RSAF display team and was withdrawn from use in 2004.
"For now, the cockpit is empty, guns and refuelling probe removed, we hope to recover some parts in the future when the last specimen will be definitely retired."
I'm in contact with the French liaison officer of RSAF 150th Sqn, I hope to receive information about plane history in RSAF. "
Pierre Pécastaingts
Webmaster Conservatoire de l'Air et de l'Espace d'Aquitaine
http://www.caea.info
Webmaster Fédération Française des Ailes Anciennes
http://www.ailes-anciennes.org
"About the travel from Singapore to France of SAF Advanced Jet Training Detachment (150 Squadron) the I found on a RSAF document : "The aircraft were first prepared and wrapped in Tengah Air Base. Under the supervision of a team of safety officers and specialists, they were then towed down the streets of Singapore to Jurong Port. From there, the aircraft were moved onto a ship, and together with a maintenance crew, they embarked on an arduous 23-day sea journey to France.
Upon arriving at Cazaux Air Base, the aircraft were unwrapped, and they took to the skies of France without a hitch. Just when you thought everyone in the squadron could heave a sigh of relief and celebrate, more challenging tasks lay ahead." According to witnesses at Bordeaux port , the aircraft were disassembled and transferred from the ship to trailers and finished the 80 km trip to Cazaux by road." Pierre Pécastaingts
RSAF KNOWN BuNo information. (updated 23JUL19) AND our Research Page.
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A-4B / A-4S 142850: 31DEC70 A-4S 600 142832: 22MAY70 A-4S 601 142771: 31DEC70 A-4S 602 142908: 22MAY70 A-4S 603 142131: 31DEC70 A-4S 604 144874: 22MAY70 A-4S 605 144980: 31DEC70 A-4S 606 145013: 31DEC70 A-4S 607 142778: 22MAY70 A-4S 606 142101: 20MAY70 A-4S 616 142119: 22MAY70 A-4S 617/618 142125: 22MAY70 A-4S 619/620 142711: 31DEC70 A-4S 621 142744: 22MAY70 A-4S 630 142746: 31DEC70 A-4S 631 142751: 31DEC70 A-4S 632 142770: 22MAY70 A-4S 633 142800: 31DEC70 A-4S 634 142819: 25MAY71 A-4S 636 142840: 22MAY70 A-4S 643 142865: 31DEC70 A-4S 644 142870: 31DEC70 A-4S 645 142876: 31DEC70 A-4S 646 142882: 22MAY70 A-4SU 647 142900: 31DEC70 A-4SU 648/649 142942: 22MAY70 A-4S 650 144926: 31DEC70 A-4S 656 144956: 31DEC70 A-4S 657 144971: 22MAY70 A-4S 659 144974: 22MAY70 A-4S 660 145030: 09JAN70 A-4S 679 145038: 31DEC70 A-4S 680 145046: 31DEC70 A-4S 681 145056: 22MAY70 A-4S 682 145059: 31DEC70 A-4S 683 142111: 22MAY70 A-4S 142122: 31DEC70 A-4S 142140: 31DEC70 A-4S 142713: 31DEC70 A-4S 142768: 22MAY70 A-4S 142798: 22MAY70 A-4S 606/605 142860: 31DEC70 A-4S 142891: 31DEC70 A-4S |
A-4C / A-4SU 149617: 29MAY78 A-4SU 149587: 29JUN76 A-4SU 915 148605: 29MAY78 A-4SU 917 147835: 29JUN76 A-4SU 919 148528: 29JUN76 A-4SU 924 148458: 29JUN76 A-4SU 926 147779: 29JUN76 A-4SU 927 147797: 29MAY78 A-4SU 928 145073: 15MAY73 A-4SU 929 149522: 19AUG77 A-4SU 936 147823: 19AUG77 A-4SU 938 145063: 20JUN75 A-4SU 939 145071: 15MAY73 A-4SU 941 148462: 29MAY78 A-4SU 942 145106: 15MAY73 A-4SU 944 145110: 19AUG77 A-4SU 945 148591: 19AUG77 A-4SU 955 147809: 19AUG77 A-4SU 957 149588: 29MAY78 A-4SU 958 147785: 19AUG77 A-4SU 960 148482: 29MAY78 A-4SU 967 149628: 29MAY78 A-4SU 969 149537: 29MAY78 A-4SU 970 147743: 29JUL73 A-4SU 971 148464: 29JUN76 A-4SU 972 149493: 29MAY78 A-4SU 975 147752: 29JUN76 A-4SU 977 147731: 29JUN76 A-4SU 980 145108: 29JUN76 A-4SU 983 147841: 29MAY78 A-4SU 984 147821: 29JUN76 A-4SU 986 149498: 29MAY78 A-4SU 991 148521: 29JUN76 A-4SU 992 148526: 29MAY78 A-4SU 993 148603: 03JUL76 A-4SU 994 |
A-4B / TA-4S 145047: 31DEC70 TA-4S 651 144937: 22MAY70 TA-4S 652 145043: 22MAY70 TA-4S 653 144894: 22MAY70 TA-4S 687 144979: 25MAY71 TA-4S 690 A-4B / TA-4SU 145041: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 907 142881: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 908 145021: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 909 142814: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 911 144966: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 912 142936: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 932 144977: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 933 145033: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 950 142768: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 951 A-4C / TA-4SU 147742: 29MAY78 TA-4SU 900 148311: 19AUG77 TA-4SU 901 148483: 29MAY78 TA-4SU 902 148493: 29MAY78 TA-4SU 903 148525: 19AUG77 TA-4SU 904 148529: 29JUN76 TA-4SU 905 144916: 22MAY70 TA-4SU 906 |
Known Singapore Losses. (updated 23JUL19)
24 April 1975: A-4S; Lta. Chong Khal Hoong?, ejected safely at low level before his Skyhawk jet plunged into the Chanji Creek soon after take-off from the Chanel airbase.
05 January 1976: A-4S; Lta. Cheong Kahl Loong pilot of a Singapore A-4S Skyhawk on a training flight was missing after his A-4S crashed into the South China Sea northeast of Singapore Monday, Pacific Stars & Stripes, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1976
31 August 1976: A-4S; Unidentified pilot was believed killed after his Singapore Air Force Skyhawk crashed into the sea about 10 miles south of Singapore today. The ministry said the plane was on a training flight. It was the second aircraft of the Singapore Air Force to crash this month. The Herald, Provo, UT, Tuesday, August 31. 1976. Crashed off Pulau Pawai. The Straits Times, 01 September 1976.
08 November 1977 A-4S: Unknown pilot Missing in the South China Sea during a training exercise. The Straits Times. 10 November 1977
02 February 1978 TA-4S: unknown pilot and copilot (Capt. Lee Wai Hong and 2nd Lt. William Wong Wui Liam) ejected safely before their Singapore Air Force Skyhawk trainer aircraft crashed in a poultry farm destroying a farmhouse and 8,000 chickens, police said. Pacific Stars and Stripes, Saturday, February 4, 1978. Crashed into a farm at Jurong 2.5 km S. of Tengah AB. The Nation, 03 February 1978.
21 September 1978 A-4S: Capt. N.P. Sharma ejected safely when his A4S Skyhawk crashed shortly after takeoff from Tengah.
19 December 1979 TA-4S/A-4S: Four Singaporean pilots aboard three Skyhawk aircraft were killed after they crashed on Mount Demahonte in Aurora Province 95 miles NE of Manila. The three Skyhawks were part of a squadron of Singapore Air Force planes engaged in training in the Philippines with the help of the U.S. Air Force at Clark AB and were on their way from Clark to the Crow Valley Bombing Range near the base. Pacific Stars and Stripes, Saturday, December 22, 1979, and Pacific Stars and Stripes, Friday, January 4, 1980.
07 April 1982 A-4S: Lt. Jaspal Singh 23, ejected safely when his engine failed during gunnery practice near Newcastle, in New South Wales.
30 March 1983 A-4S 636: Lt. Foo Siew Ngan ejected successfully after a midair collision with 75 Sqn RAAF Mirage III-OA A3-69 that was on final for Runway 36 and crashed 1 nm south of Tengah Airfield, Singapore. The RAAF Mirage was approaching Tengah Air Base in a straight descending path after being cleared by Tengah’s air traffic control when it collided with the RSAF Skyhawk about 100 meters above ground.
Jim Winchester and Pacific Stars and Stripes, Friday, April 1, 1983.
17 June 1983: A-4S: Unidentified pilot of a Singapore RSAF Skyhawk ejected safely before his Skyhawk crashed Wednesday morning during defense maneuvers and smashed into a beach close to the causeway connecting Singapore and Malaysia, missing heavy populated areas nearby. Pacific Stars and Stripes, Friday, June 17, 1983.
30 December 1983 A-4S: unknown pilot ejected near Pulau Pawai and was rescued by helicopter 15 minutes later after his Skyhawk crashed into the sea. The Straits Times, 29 December 1983.
10 October 1984 TA-4S: Lt. Khoo Seng Kim (26) is missing and Capt. Kwok Him Yick (28) ejected and was rescued when their Skyhawk crashed into the Straits of Malacca during a night flight. The Business Times, 13 October 1984.
25 July 1985 A-4S: Capt. Cheong Seng Chee, 31, of the Republic of Singapore Air Force ejected safely from his A4 Skyhawk after an incident while on a routine training flight over the Straits of Malacca. The Straits Times, 25 July 1985, Page 13.
A Defence Ministry statement said the incident yesterday afternoon occurred about 35 nautical miles off Singapore. Just before the incident, the rescue coordinating centre at Changi received a Mayday call and a search and rescue mission was activated immediately. Capt. Cheong was picked up by a RSAF rescue helicopter within 30 minutes and was sent to Tengah Medical Centre for examination. The Defence Ministry statement said he was safe and well. It added that a board of inquiry had been convened to investigate the incident.
25 July 1985 A-4S: Capt. Seah Boon Thong (25) ejected and was missing after his Skyhawk crashed in the Straits of Johor. His body was located after a three-days search. The Straits Times, 26 July 1985.
26 August 1985 A-4S: Capt. Francis Tan (Capt. Tan Jui Song) ejected safely when his A-4 Skyhawk crashed in in the Caraballo mountains about 70 miles NE of Clark AB in Central Luzon in the Philippines. Capt. Tan was rescued by a USAF helicopter operating from Clark Air Base. The Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, August 28, 1985. The Straits Times, 27 August 1985 and 30 August 1985.
22 October 1985 A-4S: Lt. Leow Yong Yean, 22, ejected safely and was picked up by a boat when his A-4 Skyhawk crashed into the sea south of Tengah Airbase, The Straits Times, 23 October 1985.
03 March 1986 TA-4S: Capt. Tsu Way Ming, 29, and his student pilot, Lt. Goh Char Li, 22, both ejected safely when their A4 Skyhawk crashed into the sea SW of Tengah Air Base during a routine exercise.
01 November 1989 A-4S: 142 Squadron Lt. Tan Lee Hwang, 28, ejected safely and was rescued by a USAF helicopter when his Skyhawk crashed north of Manilla, Philippines, while on a training mission out of Clark AFB.
01 February 1992 A-4S: Unknown pilot crashed into the Johor Straits and was rescued by fishermen. The Straits Times, 7 February 1992.
Recent Sightings:
23 JUN 2005:
Sighted in France during air show at Cazaux AB, France:
In the hangar:
902 148483
904 148525
909 145021 (minus tail)
932 142936
933 144977
938 147823 (tail section only)
942 148462
Static display:
950 145033
927 147779
Flight-line:
905 148529
906 144916
907 145041
908 142881
09 JUL 2011: Singapore A-4SU Skyhawk BuNo 149493, 975 and 75 Sqn A-4K Skyhawk BuNo 154904, NZ6212, Paya Leba, Singapore, open day, 09 July 2001.
