Four Black Knights thrilled spectators at the National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals last Saturday, performing the heart-stopping "criss-cross" manoeuvre in which the planes fly seemingly close to each other.

Jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's popular aerobatics team will be among 50 aircraft that will dazzle crowds during the aerial display on Aug 9.

This is the biggest fleet to appear at the NDP in almost 40 years.

More than 10 types of aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force will soar over Marina Bay and the Padang during the Golden Jubilee parade to perform a four-minute aerial ballet.

They will include F-16 and F-15 fighter jets, a C-130 transport plane, Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and S-70B naval helicopters.

Five Black Knights will kick off the NDP show and fly in a "five stars" formation in an aerial salute to Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died aged 91 on March 23. The formation represents the national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.