Aircraft Series
In this beautifully designed stamp issue on Aircraft, 20 planes which have flown in the skies of Singapore, are specially selected to represent Singapore’s civil and military aviation. 2003 is the Centenary of First Flight by the Wright Brothers and it is also the year that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) celebrates their 35th year of air defence. Below are the 20 planes featured in this unique stamp sheet:-
The Airspeed Consul was the first aircraft type operated by Malayan Airways, the earliest predecessor of Singapore Airlines (SIA). The 5-seater, twin-engined plane took off from a tiny airstrip at Kallang Airport on 1 May 1947 and the inaugurated flight was a Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Penang on a thrice-weekly basis.
The Vickers Viscount was the first turboprop airliner to enter service anywhere in the world. Malayan Airways leased two Viscounts in August 1959 and the aircraft entered service on the routes from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Borneo.
The first Comet IV joined the Malayan Airways in December 1962 with a second in November 1964. Dubbed the Silver Kris jet, the Comets were deployed on international routes to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jesselton, Manila, Taipei and Perth.
The Boeing 737 is one of Boeing’s best-selling planes. Malaysia-Singapore Airlines took delivery of five Boeing 737-100s between July and November 1969, becoming the first airline in Asia to fly the Boeing 737-100 on its shorter regional routes.
SIA went supersonic on the Concorde from London to Singapore via Bahrain on 9 December 1977, cutting the average flying time from 20 hours to 9 and a half hours. Jointly operated with British Airways, the Concorde service was suspended as a result of environmental objects. It was restored on 24 January 1979 but stopped on 1 November 1980 due to escalating fuel costs.
The Airbus A320 is best known as the first airliner to introduce a fly-by-wire control system – where control inputs from the pilot are transmitted to the flying surfaces by electronic signals rather than mechanical means. SilkAir, took delivery of its first Airbus A320 in 1998 and currently operates five Airbus A320s.
SIA took delivery of its first Boeing 747-400 freighter in August 1994. Dubbed the Mega Ark, this freighter first flew on the Singapore-Sydney-Auckland sector on 12 August 1994. The Mega Ark 747 has a cargo payload of 124 tonnes. Today, Singapore Airlines Cargo has 12 Mega Ark 747 flying from Singapore to 34 cities in 17 countries.
The Boeing 777-200 was first delivered to SIA in April 1997. Dubbed Jubilee, the first aircraft in registration number 9V-SQA was painted with a special 50th anniversary livery in gold. Its inaugural flight was SQ 154/15 May 1997 on the Singapore-Jakarta service. SIA currently operates 47 Jubilee 777s.
The first two Boeing 747-400s were delivered to SIA in March 1989. Dubbed the MEGATOP, they flew on the Singapore-Hong Kong-Taipei-Tokyo and the Singapore-Perth sectors on 9 April 1989. On 12 October 1993, SIA took delivery of its 21st MEGATOP 747 (registration number 9V-SMU). It was also the 1000th Boeing 747 to roll out of the Boeing plant.
The 8,650 km ultra long range Airbus A340-500 is the latest variants of the Airbus A340 family to join SIA’s young and modern aircraft fleet by October 2003. SIA has five Airbus A340-500s on firm order. Powered by four 53,000 lb thrust Roll-Royce Trent turbofans, the Airbus A340-500 will be deployed on SIA’s Singapore-Los Angeles non-stop service by early 2004.
RSAF’s pioneer trainer aircraft were two borrowed single-engined, propeller driven Cessna 172G from the Singapore Flying Club, and a purchased Cessna 172K, which formed the Singapore Air Defence Command’s first flying squadron – the Falcon Squadron. With the subsequent purchase of eight Cessna 172Ks, the SAF Flying Training School (FTS) was officially inaugurated on 1 August 1969.
120 Squadron, Singapore’s first helicopter squadron, operated the Aerospatiale Alouette III helicopters and used them for transport duties, coastal patrolling, search and rescue, and aerial reconnaissance.
The Hawker Hunter aircraft were RSAF’s first fighters and were formerly operated by 140 and 141 Squadrons. These highly manoeuvrable jets served elegantly as the RSAF’s backbone during the initial years in a variety of roles like ground attack and reconnaissance.
This transport aircraft undertakes the bulk of the RSAF’s heavy logistics duties. In 1984, the C-130B was configured to the KC-130B to provide air-to-air refuelling for the A-4 and F-5 fleet. The C-130s are operated by 122 Squadron.
Augmenting the Hawker Hunter in the fighter roles, the supersonic F-5E Tiger fighters jets are used for air-to-air operations which include combat air patrol, sweep and escort missions, and air interception of hostile aircraft. With the assistance of ST Aerospace, the fleet was upgraded to the F5S standard. It is equipped with modern avionics to enhance its operational roles and effectiveness.
The multi purpose Super Puma helicopter, operated by 125 and 126 Squadrons, are mainly used for troop and cargo transport as well as aerial duties that includes search and rescue operations.
Operated by 111 Squadron, the sophisticated Airborne Early Warning and Control platform is employed to enhance air defence. It is capable of providing air and surface surveillance.
One of the most sophisticated and advanced multi-role fighter aircraft in the world, the RSAF’s F-16C/D are equipped with advanced avionics, a modern radar and a precision navigation system using the GPS for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Equipped with LANTIRN targeting pods, the F-16C/D are capable of delivering laser guided bombs with great accuracy by day or night.
The KC-135R is a long range jet tanker that is capable of refuelling RSAF fighter aircraft in mid-air. The KC-135R also has the ability to undertake airlift missions to provide logistics support to the various SAF exercises and RSAF detachment overseas.
The Apache is a modern and lethal attack helicopter. With its Longbow radar and Hellfire missiles, it can rapidly detect, classify, prioritise and engage targets in nearly all weather conditions.