This is the maneuver RSAF could not perform for Lee Kuan Yew
The Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights were supposed to have flown a Missing Man formation duringSingapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's State Funeral on Sunday, 29 March.
Four F16s were supposed to have flown the formation as Lee's cortege passed by the Esplanade during his funeral procession. The Black Knights are the air force's aerobatics team.
However, though the aircraft did a flypast above cloud cover, the poor weather - it rained heavily during the funeral - and resulting low visibility made it impossible for them to perform the maneuver.
This video, taken during a rehearsal on Saturday, is an indication of the tribute that never happened.
The Missing Man formation is a tradition dating back to World War I, and is used as a solemn aerial salute to honour deceased dignitaries or military aircrew.
The formation supposedly began when British World War I pilots performed it as a tribute to German flying legend, Manheim von Richtofen - also known as the Red Baron.
The maneuver was seldom used during World War I, and was usually done in private. It grew to become part of British Royal Air Force (RAF) ceremonial programmes during World War II. The United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds were the fist military aerobatics team to perform the move when they flew it to honour prisoners of war in Vietnam.
Mr Lee, 91, died peacefully on Monday, 23 March at 3.18am, at the Singapore General Hospital according to Prime Minister's Office.
