Aerial displays wow aviation buffs

Large turnout for performances of three countries despite fewer tickets for Singapore Airshow

Above: A visitor taking photographs of an F-15SG aircraft. Left: A person dressed as superhero Deadpool posing in front of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's SU-30MKM. Justice League and Marvel characters were among the highlights at the airshow yesterd
A little girl with a prime spot watching China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi showcase a squad of J-10 fighters with complex manoeuvres at the Singapore Airshow yesterday. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Far left: The Republic of Singapore Air Force's two AH-64D attack helicopters in action during a performance. Left: China's People's Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi performing daredevil aerobatics.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force's two AH-64D attack helicopters in action during a performance. Left: China's People's Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi performing daredevil aerobatics. ST PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI
Above: A visitor taking photographs of an F-15SG aircraft. Left: A person dressed as superhero Deadpool posing in front of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's SU-30MKM. Justice League and Marvel characters were among the highlights at the airshow yesterd
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi performing daredevil aerobatics. ST PHOTOS: LIM YAOHUI
Visitors getting up close and personal with the massive flying machines as they have their pictures taken.
Visitors getting up close and personal with the massive flying machines as they have their pictures taken. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Above: A visitor taking photographs of an F-15SG aircraft. Left: A person dressed as superhero Deadpool posing in front of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's SU-30MKM. Justice League and Marvel characters were among the highlights at the airshow yesterd
A person dressed as superhero Deadpool posing in front of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's SU-30MKM. Justice League and Marvel characters were among the highlights at the airshow yesterday. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Above: A visitor taking photographs of an F-15SG aircraft. Left: A person dressed as superhero Deadpool posing in front of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's SU-30MKM. Justice League and Marvel characters were among the highlights at the airshow yesterd
A visitor taking photographs of an F-15SG aircraft. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Even though the number of tickets available for the Singapore Airshow 2020 was reduced by more than half compared with the previous edition due to the coronavirus outbreak, the flying display performances still drew large crowds yesterday, the first public day of the show.

Aviation enthusiasts were drawn by four aerial display performances from three countries.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) aerial display team wowed audiences with an F-15SG fighter jet and two AH-64D attack helicopters.

China's People's Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team Ba Yi showcased a squad of J-10 fighters with a slate of complex manoeuvres and daredevil aerobatics.

Audiences also caught sight of the United States Marine Corps' F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, and the US Pacific Air Forces' F-22 Raptor. The US Air Force's B-52 Stratofortress performed a flyover to end the display yesterday.

While a number of booths in the exhibition hall were empty due to trade exhibitors pulling out, local booths belonging to the RSAF and ST Engineering bustled with visitors.

The Singapore Airshow mascots, Captain Leo and Captain Leonette, together with superhero characters, made their rounds to meet visitors and pose for photographs. There were also live-band performances by The Band of the Pacific from the US Air Force.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 16, 2020, with the headline Aerial displays wow aviation buffs. Subscribe