Singapore Airshow 2008
Oops! goes to the Singapore Airshow and beat the 40, 000 crowd.
Written by Luke Hsu
Oops! Writer
Photos by Jacob Yeo and Justin Yeo
Oops! Photographers
Oops! - A Singapore Polytechnic publication for students by students
Supported by the School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences, SP
While some may dismiss the airshow as nothing more than the big boys showing their toys, I find that it resonates with what Singapore has come to represent today – a small country who can be a player on the world stage. Three star generals and colonels were a common sight as air forces from all over the globe gathered at our sunny island for a week of spectacular aerial displays! Since the 2008 airshow has been touted as the 3rd largest air show in the world, surely there has to be some highlights we could look out for? How about aerobatic displays from the United States Air Force (USAF), and Korean Aerospace Industries? As the commentary blared across the viewing site, rivalry was in the air as high speed manoeuvres and screeching vertigo stunts were stunningly showcased between the Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights and the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes who battled it out to awed audiences.
The airshow featured a myriad of spectacular events, such as out-of-this-world experiences (for the Oops! team) and a much coveted photo opportunity with the RSAF Black Knights! In fact, with all the glitter and glamour of the airshow, it gives us a sense of good ol’ fashioned escapism into the world of fighter jets and good-looking pilots. Upon entry, our photographers Jacob (you should have seen the priceless look on his face when the organizer stopped him) and Justin were almost denied entry because they were wearing the quintessential Singapore outfit, ‘the berms’ or otherwise known as ‘bermudas’. Well, our advisor, Fairuz saved the day when she handled the ‘mini crisis’ at hand, ooooh how she sweet talked those PR peeps and in went the ‘berms-outfitted’ photographers.
Participation at this year’s Singapore Airshow was chokeful of exhibitors as it not only boasts of the titans: Airbus and Boeing, but other industry heavyweights such as Rolls Royce and Eurocopter. Fighter jets such as an F/A 18 Super Hornet, an F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter, unmanned drones and commercial planes jostled for attention as the jumbo jets made waves. Not forgetting the planes that stole the limelight of day was the appearance of the magnificent 470-seater Airbus A380s that Singapore Airline recently acquired and the swanky Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagle which the RSAF has endorsed and ordered to replace their ageing fleet.
There were also many freebies for visitors (commemorative bags, badges, laminated Boeing bookmarks and more) and also the very expensive $4 sparkling cool Gatorade and Snapple that we so needed after a hot day basking in the sun. Strange, but there were many pretty plastic bags (Oh we’re not kidding you, they really are!) and company premiums that were handed out (it felt very much like were in a book fair or sorts). As Oops! was part of the media personnel covering the event, we were granted access into the media room where there was a heavenly stash of FREE Haagen Dazs ice cream and erm… lots of other media crew. As the first day of the trade show ended, what then lies ahead for the next Singapore Air Show. Echoing what PM Lee said, "We have now delivered on our promise”, we believe that the next one will be more than just that for Singapore has more than delivered for this inaugural event.
For more photos, click here.
Oops! goes to the Singapore Airshow and beat the 40, 000 crowd.
Written by Luke Hsu
Oops! Writer
Photos by Jacob Yeo and Justin Yeo
Oops! Photographers
Oops! - A Singapore Polytechnic publication for students by students
Supported by the School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences, SP
While some may dismiss the airshow as nothing more than the big boys showing their toys, I find that it resonates with what Singapore has come to represent today – a small country who can be a player on the world stage. Three star generals and colonels were a common sight as air forces from all over the globe gathered at our sunny island for a week of spectacular aerial displays! Since the 2008 airshow has been touted as the 3rd largest air show in the world, surely there has to be some highlights we could look out for? How about aerobatic displays from the United States Air Force (USAF), and Korean Aerospace Industries? As the commentary blared across the viewing site, rivalry was in the air as high speed manoeuvres and screeching vertigo stunts were stunningly showcased between the Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights and the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes who battled it out to awed audiences.
The airshow featured a myriad of spectacular events, such as out-of-this-world experiences (for the Oops! team) and a much coveted photo opportunity with the RSAF Black Knights! In fact, with all the glitter and glamour of the airshow, it gives us a sense of good ol’ fashioned escapism into the world of fighter jets and good-looking pilots. Upon entry, our photographers Jacob (you should have seen the priceless look on his face when the organizer stopped him) and Justin were almost denied entry because they were wearing the quintessential Singapore outfit, ‘the berms’ or otherwise known as ‘bermudas’. Well, our advisor, Fairuz saved the day when she handled the ‘mini crisis’ at hand, ooooh how she sweet talked those PR peeps and in went the ‘berms-outfitted’ photographers.
Participation at this year’s Singapore Airshow was chokeful of exhibitors as it not only boasts of the titans: Airbus and Boeing, but other industry heavyweights such as Rolls Royce and Eurocopter. Fighter jets such as an F/A 18 Super Hornet, an F-35 Lighting II stealth fighter, unmanned drones and commercial planes jostled for attention as the jumbo jets made waves. Not forgetting the planes that stole the limelight of day was the appearance of the magnificent 470-seater Airbus A380s that Singapore Airline recently acquired and the swanky Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagle which the RSAF has endorsed and ordered to replace their ageing fleet.
There were also many freebies for visitors (commemorative bags, badges, laminated Boeing bookmarks and more) and also the very expensive $4 sparkling cool Gatorade and Snapple that we so needed after a hot day basking in the sun. Strange, but there were many pretty plastic bags (Oh we’re not kidding you, they really are!) and company premiums that were handed out (it felt very much like were in a book fair or sorts). As Oops! was part of the media personnel covering the event, we were granted access into the media room where there was a heavenly stash of FREE Haagen Dazs ice cream and erm… lots of other media crew. As the first day of the trade show ended, what then lies ahead for the next Singapore Air Show. Echoing what PM Lee said, "We have now delivered on our promise”, we believe that the next one will be more than just that for Singapore has more than delivered for this inaugural event.
For more photos, click here.