Hot, hot Airshow

More than 100,000 visitors flock to S'pore Airshow over the weekend

Preschooler Andy Hu may only be five, but he already knows the difference between a Black Hawk and an Apache.

Little Andy woke his father, finance professional Raymond Hu, 37, before 8am yesterday because they were going to the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre.

Some of his favourite moments include watching the Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles air display from his father's shoulders and having a close look at his favourite helicopters.

The pint-sized fan was one of the 100,000 visitors who visited the sold-out show over the weekend.

"He did not complain about the queues or the heat, although I minded a little," said Mr Hu with a laugh.

Another young fan was Primary 1 pupil Matthew Budiman, seven, who went to the air show with his arm in a bright red cast.

He had been watching the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Black Knights on television and begged his parents to take him to the Airshow.

Although the spunky boy did not get to meet the F-16 flying Black Knights, he managed to get his cast autographed by Captain Ryan Worrell, an F-16 demo pilot from the United States' Pacific Air Forces.

EXCITED

His mother, housewife Madam Linche, 38, said: "He was so excited that he couldn't sleep the night before."

Despite the sweltering heat reaching more than 30 deg C, the air show was a huge hit with the visitors, who did not mind the long queues for the various exhibits.

Many found innovative ways to beat the heat. Some sought shelter under the wings of aircraft.

One of them was Mr Anbarasan, 40, who was spotted napping in the shade of an RSAF Gulfstream 550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft.

"My family is elsewhere queueing for a static display, but I'm here because it's just too hot for me," he said sheepishly.

A group who did not mind the heat were three cosplayers in elaborate outfits from Japanese anime Accel World.

This was the second time that the trio have been invited by the organisers to the air show.

Student Ronald Lee, 25, who was dressed in a silver suit and a green mask, said that his character left his "wings" behind for the show because they were too bulky.

"I'm here to search for my wings," he said with a laugh.

Mr Lee said: "It wasn't too hot because my costume is made of spandex. And it was worth it because of the smiles of the children who took photos with us."

It wasn't too hot because my costume is made of spandex. And it was worth it because of the smiles of the children who took photos with us.

- Student Ronald Lee, 25, who was dressed in a silver suit and a green mask