Last flight of thr Skyhawks
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The Super Skyhawk, once the sharp end of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) sword, made its final flight over the island yesterday.
A dozen of the fighter jets took part in the ceremonial flight to mark the retirement of the aircraft from active duty. The warplanes have been in service for more than 30 years, in various guises.
They saw duty beginning in 1973, when 70 A-4 Skyhawks were brought second - hand from the United States Navy. About 30 of these were reconditioned for RSAF service, while the rest of the air - frames were kept as spares.
In the mid - 1980's, many of these planes were upgraded and equipped with a new engine and improved navigation and weapons - delivery systems, and were then christened Super Skyhawks.
In their prime, about 50 Skyhawks flew with three RSAF squadrons.
The beginning of the end for the jets came in the 1990s, when the more advanced F-16C/Ds entered the RSAF's arsenal, and the Skyhawks began to be phrased out.
The last 12 planes formed the RSAF's 142 "Gryphon" squadron - named after a mythical winged creature with a lion's body and eagle's head.
It was these twin - seat aircraft which made the ceremonial flight yesterday...
- Straits Times 01/04/05 Page 4 -
how bout the remaining base in France? still use as AJT?
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The Straits Times understands that the squadron's new punch will come from the F-16C/D.
In addition to serving as the mainstay of the RSAF's attack aircraft fleet, the Skyhawks have also been a crowd - pleaser at National Day parade for decades.
The jets will not be consigned to the scrap heap just yet, though.
The RSAF will still continue to use then for pilot - training at Cazaux Air Force Base, in southwest France, for a few more years, after which they will be disposed of there.
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on yesterday's ceremony, which took place in the skies above Tengah Air Base, at Lim Chu Kang. The ceremonial flight began at 9am, when the planes thundered off the run - way in quick succession and flew towards Jurong.
At 10.30am, the Super Skyhawks returned to base in "diamond" formation.
Sources at the event said the last plane to land had an important passenger on board.
He was Major - General Lim Kim Choon, the Chief of Air Force - a Skyhawk pilot in his younger days - Straits Times, 01/04/05 -
So they've finally decided to retire these flying fighter antiques.. about time too.
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love the skyhawk . . .best paint sheme among all the rsaf jets.
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When the NGF selected. My guess is that they will pull back one of the Peace Cavin detachments and formed up 142 SQN with the a/c and crew.
Then we will have another SQN training on the NGF on location. -
Production History of the A4su super skyhawk
# In 1972, Singapore purchased 40 surplus U.S. A-4C airframes, designated A-4S, for use by the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
# Refurbishment of the first eight A-4S Skyhawks, by Lockheed Air Services in the U.S., included installation of the 8400 lb thrust Curtiss J65-W-20 engine; wing lift spoilers; 30-mm cannons; state-of-the-art optical gunsight, communications equipment, and Sidewinder air-to-air missile capability; and two additional ordnance wing stations. The remaining 32 A-4S airframes were shipped to and upgraded in Singapore.
# The A-4S first flew on July 14, 1973.
# Seven TA-4S variants were unique. To maintain engine commonality, A-4S (A-4C) airframes were lengthened, a la the TA-4, to provide a second cockpit; however, rather than the single canopy characteristic of other "T" birds, each TA-4S cockpit had a separate canopy.
# In 1980, Singapore purchased an additional 86 Skyhawks from U.S. suplus (70 A-4Cs, 16 A-4Bs).
# From 1984 to 1989, the RSAF conducted an ambitious Skyhawk service life extension program. Most of the A-4S airframes were extensively re-built and modernized. Redesignated A-4SU (SUper), upgrading included replacement of J65 engines with the 11,000 lb thrust F404-GE-100D; new refrigeration, hydraulic pump, air turbine starter, electrical power, and oil cooler systems; new sensors, cockpit instrumentation, and state-of-the-art avionics; and improved air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance carrying and control capability.
# The re-engineered A-4SU "Super Skyhawks" became operational in 1988.
A-4C (A-4S) BuNos Known Sold to Singapore
142101, 142119, 142125, 142131, 142711, 142746, 142751, 142770,
142771, 142774, 142800, 142819, 142832, 142840, 142850, 142870,
142876, 142882, 142908, 142942, 144874, 144926, 144971, 144974,
144980, 145013, 145030, 145038, 145046, 145056, 145059, 145110,
147779, 148521, 148526, 148603, 149498, 143537
A-4S Known Singapore Serials
600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621,
622, 623, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647,
648, 649, 650, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 914,
917, 918, 919, 923, 924, 927, 928, 933, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941,
942, 945, 946, 947, 956, 957, 960, 961, 967, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973,
974, 975, 976, 977, 981, 983, 985, 991, 992, 993, 994
TA-4S Known Singapore Serials
651, 652, 653, 687, 688, 689, 690, 900, 901,
902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909 -
A tribute to the A4su super skyhawk
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) purchased 47 refurbished Skyhawks (40 A-4B, 7 TA-4) from U.S. in 1972. The aircraft were re-designated A-4S/TA-4S. The "T" version of the RSAF Skyhawk was unique in that, rather than the single "clam shell" canopy common to other TA-4 models, each TA-4S cockpit had a separate canopy.
From 1984 to 1989, the RSAF conducted a Skyhawk service life extension program. The 8,400-lb-thrust J65 engines were replaced with 11,000 lb. thrust F404-GE-100D turbofans. Other upgrades included modified engine air intakes; new structural mounts to accommodate the F404 engines; installation of new refrigeration, hydraulic pumps, air turbine starters, and oil coolers; new sensors, cockpit instrumentation, and state-of-the-art avionics; engine and environmental control systems; higher output electrical generators; and improved air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance carrying and control capability.
Re-designated as A-4SU "Super Skyhawk," the refurbished Skyhawks became operational in 1988, and Skyhawk pilot training was fully operational in March 1989. With the total RSAF inventory of about 60 aircraft, the three Singapore Skyhawk units (142, 143, and 145 Squadrons), operating from Tengah Air Base, made up a numerical majority of that country's military aircraft.
In late 1997, the RSAF Skyhawk training unit (143 squadron) was disbanded as part of a new advanced jet training effort. The former 143 Squadron A-4SUs were shipped to southwest France in September 1998 where, at Cazaux Air Base, 150 Squadron was established for advance training of RSAF pilots. The French site was selected because of available practice bombing ranges and airspace over the North Atlantic for ACM training, as well as opportunity for electronic warfare technique practice.
In October 2003, the RSAF announced three survivors in the competition to replace the A-4SU Skyhawk: the Boeing F-15T Strike Eagle, the Dassault Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Dropped from consideration were the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Boeing FA-18E/F Super Hornet, and the Sukov Su-30/35 Flanker. A contract for as many as 24 replacement aircraft may be let in 2004, but, since the replacement for the A-4SUs is viewed as an interim solution, the final number ordered could be well below the projected 24 and the service life of the venerable old Skyhawk could be extended. The Lockheed-Martin F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) has entered the picture. Since Singapore is expected to be a player in the JSF project as a "Security Cooperation Participant," if the F-35 is ordered the first deliveries could occur as early as 2012-2015. -
Write up on the different varients of the skyhawks
The A4S
initial RSAF variant. These aircraft were built from A-4Bs bought from MASDC in the early 1970s. These aircraft were rebuilt with LockheedÂ’s assistance together with itÂ’s Singapore subsidiary, Lockheed Air Services Singapore (LASS). 51 A-4S and TA-4S were built between 1974 and 1977, with 6 built in the United States and the rest assembled in Singapore. These aircraft had over 100 modifications from the original A-4B, including a longer nose housing a new comms/nav package, 5 stores hardpoints instead of the usual 3, a saddle type ADF dorsal hump, cockpit armour plating, spoilers, cranked refueling probe, Sidewinder capability, brake parachute housing below jetpipe and 30mm Aden cannons in place of the Mk12 20mm cannons.
Internal changes included a Ferranti D-101 lead computing gunsight and associated weapons delivery computer. Decca provided a Type 72 Doppler system and Tactical Area Navigation System (TANS), while Lear Siegler provided the Altitude and Heading Reference System, new radios, IFF, ADF, TACAN and radar altimeter. The original APQ-145 mapping and ranging radar was retained. In RSAF service the A-4S/TA-4S were given 3-digit serial starting with 6. (Eg. 600, 651)
The a4s-1
All aircraft from the second batch of airframes onwards were built to this standard. All A4S-1s and most of the TA4S-1s were ex A-4Cs. These were rebuilt mainly into the same standards as the earlier A-4S, but retained the 20mm cannons and A-4C nose of the original Skyhawk. Due to serviceability problems with the Doppler sets, these were also not retained from this batch of Skyhawks onwards. All A4S-1/TA4S-1s were serialled 9xx (eg. 918, 950). The first example joined the RSAF in the early 1980s.
Late in their service lives these aircraft acquired Radar Warning Receivers on the nose and above the jetpipes, while chaff/flare dispensers were fitted to both sides of the arrestor hooks. Prior to the mid-1980s, the RSAF had no in flight refueling capability, so it was not unusual to see RSAF Skyhawks (both A-4S and A4S-1) during this period having no probes fitted.
The A4SU
The final guise of the RSAF Skyhawk. In 1986 a two-stage upgrade program for the A4S-1/TA4S-1 fleet was initiated by Singapore Aircraft Industries (later Singapore Technologies Aerospace or STAe), in conjunction with the RSAF. The first stage included a new engine to replace the old and underpowered J65 turbojets. A non-afterburning General Electric F404-GE-100D turbofan was selected. The new engine necessitated some changes to the inlet to be made, along with fitting new engine mounts, air turbine starter, hydraulic pumps, refrigeration units and oil cooler. Two prototype aircraft, a single and a twin-seater, were converted and designated A4S-1/F404 and TA4S-1/F404 respectively. The first flight was made by a single-seater serialled 919 on 19 September 1986 and was designated A4S-1/F404 (unofficially designated A-4U). During flight tests the new engine demonstrated vastly improved performance, including outrunning RSAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II chase planes!
The second stage involved replacing the outdated avionics on the aircraft. Much is still unknown about this aspect of the upgrade, although it is known that the new avionics package includes a Ferranti 4510 HUD, Litton LN-93 INS, mission computer, MED-2067 MFD and processor, Bendix flight data recorder and a laser seeker in the nose.
TA-4S/S-1/SU 2-seat trainer
Singapore acquired unique twin-seaters for its Skyhawk fleet. Instead of the standard single canopy trainer, Lockheed chose to design a totally new nose for the TA-4S. A 28-inch fuselage plug was inserted into the front fuselage, and a second, separate cockpit added for the instructor, with a redesigned, outward-bulging rear canopy (not simply a second single-seater canopy as its commonly believed) to enable better all-round vision for the instructor. The reason for this is unclear, we have heard 2 reasons for this: Firstly, the RSAFÂ’s fleet was made up of J65-powered aircraft, while all trainer Skyhawks (TA-4F/J) were being powered by J52 engines Thus, to avoid having a Skyhawk fleet comprising of aircraft with 2 different engine types, Singapore elected to customize itÂ’s own trainers. Another possible reason was that Singapore wanted more trainers than the US was willing to supply (at that time TA-4F/Js were still a mainstay in the USN), therefore leaving Singapore with no choice but to build itÂ’s own trainers. Whatever the reason, the RSAF has ended up with what must be the most unique Skyhawks ever built!
Taken from http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/singaporeskyhawksmy_1.htm -
Israel r still operating their skyhawk with a upgraded.
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Who is buying these old planes? or just thrown away? -
A-4 "AhitM" for their AJT training....Last mth AFM got their report article on itOriginally posted by zenden9:Israel r still operating their skyhawk with a upgraded. -
They will be using it for AATTS?
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from AFMOriginally posted by Arena:They will be using it for AATTS?
"The size and volume of its operations derive from its three primary missions:
To suply Ahit flight hours to the AFTS and to the Fighter Navigators Training Squadron(FNTS)
OTU for future Boeing F-15A/B/C/D/I pilots
Operational readiness" -
Hold the excitement first...
They retire the A4 before even ordering the replacment ?
Rafale, Typhoon or Eagle competition still on right? Thought one of them is suppose to replace the A4? BTW, today is 1st of April.
Could be an April's Fool joke.
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erm..A-4 role will be handed over to F-16C/D for the gd attack role
the NGF is actually meant for air defense though the news said to replace for skyhawks -
hmm following the taiwanese strategy perhaps? F16s for ground assult, Mirage for interceptor roles.
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After the retirement of the A4 skyhawks....what is the aircraft that RSAF going to replace with?
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No idea as yetOriginally posted by larrenV2.003:After the retirement of the A4 skyhawks....what is the aircraft that RSAF going to replace with? -
wat bout the pilots of A-4?
wat are dey going to do nxt? admin stuff?
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Originally posted by monkeybusiness:wat bout the pilots of A-4?
wat are dey going to do nxt? admin stuff? 
Imagining officers doing sai kang..... -
conversion course perhaps?
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Hmm... Most likely aft a recent spill off infoOriginally posted by duotiga83:conversion course perhaps? -
Originally posted by larrenV2.003: Imagining officers doing sai kang.....
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I bet that it is the most insulting thing for officers of piloting A4's to do sai kang.Originally posted by monkeybusiness: