nocturne in light

It only seemed yesterday that I was getting all so excited about preparing my gear to head off to STAe to shoot the painting process of the Black Knights aircraft. Seeing it being tolled in as a gray aircraft and slowly being transformed day by day to white... red and lastly black was really an eye-opener.

Not long after that, the first two aircraft were finally rolled up and shown to the media. The first two Black Knights F-16C Fighting Falcons donning the national colours. And off they flew back to Tengah and so did I, just to shoot the Black Knights in action. Not really their aerial display, but rather their flight line activities. Those really early mornings to catch their first wave just to go all the way and realised they can't launch due to weather.

Then it proceeded on to shooting their actual aerial display during their trainings. Spending hours just to capture that 18mins show, but it was well worth the time and effort. For some funny reason, the best shot I have of them actually came from the very first time I went to shoot their aerial display. Not knowing when and what formation they are flying. It was awesome.

Next it finally came to the Singapore Airshow 2008. Seeing how well they were flying and the thousands of local and foreign visitors truly enjoying their aerial display was amazing. Deep down I felt proud to know that I have played a part in this phenomenal team. The best was when I heard that some guy actually proposed to his better half after the Black Knights flew the Flaming Heart. I was actually wondering what happened if they flew a low show. Haha.

What followed was a unprecedented invitation to fly in Bangkok. And without fail, I was roped in to be there as well to capture their always stunning performance. What really was the highlight for me was that the Thais expected about 3-4,000 people to come. Guess what. An overwhelming crowd of an estimated 10,000 turned up in a 40 Degree Celsius blazing hot afternoon to catch them in action.

A few good months past after that. It wasn't until July that i get to see them in action once again at Marina Bay. It was really a different experience to see them zooming round the heart of the city, to celebrate the Nation's 43rd Birthday. This time, the crowd was even more spectacular. Thousands after thousands would see them each week.

Finally it came 9 August 2008, National Day. A light shower started to descend on everyone at Marina Bay. It really wasn't a good time to have the Black Knights display. It seemed like a low show after all. But every cloud has a silver lining after all. Just less than 10mins prior to the display, off went the rain and the clear sky could be seen directly above the show center. It was a miracle! A 8mins full display followed and as they finished off with the Curtains and seeing them flying off far far into the sunset, the stadium roared. I had a part to play in that too. It significantly concluded a year's journey as Singapore's Only Aerobatics team.

To the RSAF Black Knights, it truly has been an honour to shoot for you guys and be a small part of all of you. You have made the RSAF and Singapore proud!