Year 1988

Westinghouse sets up $25 m plant in Singapore

Wednesday, 14th December 1988

Singapore would be the first country outside America to have a defence service and logistics support centre set up by a US military contractor. Westinghouse Electronics Group said it was investing $25 million to build a centre in Loyang specialising in the servicing and repair of APG-66 radars fitted on F-16 fighter aircraft. The Singapore facility, called Westinghouse Pacific Electronics Service Centre (WPESC), was expected to service about 200 F-16s based in the Asia-Pacific region. This was announced by WPESC today.


Adrian Lim, wife and mistress hanged

Friday, 25th November 1988

Cult killer Adrian Lim, his wife, Tan Mui Choo, and mistress, Hoe Kah Hong, were hanged at Changi prison today. They were convicted in 1983 for the cruel sacrificial murder of two children in 1981. The trial was one of the longest murder trial in Singapore, lasting for about eight weeks, and it unveiled disturbing accounts of rites and rituals that were both cruel and perverse.


RSAF E-2C Damaged

Monday, 5th September 1988

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) E-2C Early Warning Aircraft was damaged during a landing incident at Tengah Air Base. No one was injured in the incident. In 1987 four Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeyes were delivered to 111 Squadron to provide Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) for RSAF.


PAP Won 1988 General Election

Saturday, 3rd September 1988

Singapore’s incumbent PAP (People’s Action Party) won the 1988 General Election. It was the 6th General Election in Singapore since independence.


Air Force Museum Established

Thursday, 1st September 1988

The Air Force Museum museum was first located at Changi Air Base and subsequently it was relocated to a purpose constructed new building in Paya Lebar Air Base. The Air Force Museum captures the spirit and heritage of the RSAF.


Hand-held phones go on sale

Tuesday, 16th August 1988

The first hand-held phones also know as Mobile Phone went on sale this day.  Orders had to be placed and there was a waiting time of up to two weeks.  The telephones cost between $2,900 and $3,400 each. In addition, buyers had to pay Singapore Telecoms a first payment of $210 for registration, subscription and licence fees.  Subsequently, they were charged a $50 monthly subscription fee.  About 2,500 people placed their orders for the hand-held phones (weighing between 600g and 700g - the weight of two thick paperback novels) when they were announced in June 1988.


Swing Singapore

Monday, 1st August 1988

Swing Singapore, a mass party, was first sponsored by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. About 250,000 people attended the party in August 1988 on Orchard Road to boogie, shimmy, shake or twist to music blasted from huge loudspeakers by popular singers and disc jockeys who were perched up nine metres on mobile cranes. Orchard Road was turned into a kaleidoscope of lights for the event. The event was organised by Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association (SAFRA) and sponsored and produced by Fraser Neave. Swing Singapore revelries brought fun, frolic and merry to many a Singaporean's life. However, in 1992 it was discontinued despite its continuing success.


RSAF Pilot Kill During Training

Tuesday, 24th May 1988

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) 23-year old pilot, Lieutenant Chung Chien Wen, dies after ejecting from jet who ejected from his Hawker Hunter aircraft. The plane was on a training flight in the Philippines.


Singapore took delivery of its first F-16

Saturday, 20th February 1988

The machines were delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where the RSAF trains its new F-16 pilots. Singapore also leased nine F-16A's previously used by the Thunderbirds flight demonstration team from 1993 to 1996, for training. The new F16 was purchased under Peace Carvin I signed in 1985.


Asian Aerospace '88

Wednesday, 27th January 1988

The Fourth Asian Aerospace '88 (AA88) Exhibition & Conference was opened by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong. The show is located at the new permanent site at Changi Point near the air cargo complex, which covered 75,000m2. It was completed in July 1987 at a cost of $12 million. Air displays will be allowed to take place over the sea. The Airshow started on 27 January and ended on 31 January 1988.


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