Black Knights History, Photos, Images, Pictures

Prehistory

The Republic of Singapore Air Force aerobatic team Black Knights is created in 1973. The name of the team is inspired from chess-men "Knight" (also known like horse, but many people wrong thinking, that the name of the team coming from Knight Warrior). As you may see on our Black Knights photos, on vertical wing is painted chess-men "Black Knight".

The first public demonstration of the Black Knights is on 7 June 1976 in Changi airbase on the occasion of the Singapore Air Force Day. From team's creation, till 1983, Black Knights flies with four Hawker Hunter airplanes.

In 1981 is created another aerobatic team Flying Tigers flying with new received F-5E Tiger planes. After Black Knights stop to use Hunters, Flying Tigers obtained Black Knights role and name. That's the way which Black Knights become to fly with five F-5E.

In 1990 the team becomes to fly with six A-4SU Super Skyhawk planes. This is the Singapore upgraded version of the Skyhawk, equipped with more powerful engine.

In 1999 in Singapore Air Force is appear an idea to equip the team with six F-16, but the Commanding staff grant just two. Thus the Black Knights became the unique aerobatic team using two different aircrafts in its demonstration, four A-4SU and two F-16A. The first public airshow with this formation is on Asian Aerospace Exhibition in Singapore airbase Changi, in Feb 2000.

In the autumn of 2007, the teams dream to fly with six F-16's became to try. Black Knights received another four F-16 planes a start to training to coming Singapore Aerospace Exhibition starting on 19 Feb 2008. This is the date of first six F-16s formation public demonstration of the Black Knights. On 24 Apr 2008 they made its foreign debut visiting airshow in Bangkok, Thailand, but only with five planes, because of damege of #4 plane. Unfortunately the team appearances are rarely.

What are the Black Knights

The new team consists of six F-16A fighter and 25 technicians. Every pilot candidate must have 1000 flying hours on jet fighter. The Black Knights don't have usually practice to change its crew every few years, because they don't have such a lot events like other teams do in the season.