Year 1963
The Black Panther Escaped
Wednesday, 7th March 1973
A black panther escaped from captivity. This escape set off a massive hunt by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in the Seletar-Mandai Road area. The three-year-old panther, acquired from Thailand just six days earlier, was one of three at the zoo which was scheduled to open the following month. It was reported missing the previous evening by the zoo keeper. Thousands of soldiers cordoning off the forest reserve and searching for month but gave up. Months later to the shock of a shipyard worker, he saw a huge black cat in one of his unfinished tankers at the shipyard in Tanjong Rhu. The authorities were then called in and the zoo officals promptly "captured the cat". Actually the frighten panther got itself trapped in a tank.
Robinson's Department Store Fire
Tuesday, 21st November 1972
Robinson's Department Store at Raffles Place was destroyed by fire. The flames razed through the 114-year-old store. Nine people (eight of them employees of the company) died in the blaze which started at 9:55 am from a short circuit on the first floor of the four-storey building. The eight were trapped in the lifts during the fire while the ninth victim died in the toilet on the second floor. Millions of consumer goods for Christmas went up in flames.
Second Fighter Squadron Formed
Wednesday, 15th November 1972
The second SADC (RSAF) Squadron, named the The 141 Squadron "Merlins" Squadron. was formed. The new squadron operates 25 refurbished Hawker Hunter jet aircraft. The squadron operates out from Tengah Air Base. Update: 144 Squadron had relocated to Paya Lebar Air Base in 1986. And change older Hawker Hunter FR.74S to the newer F-5E Tiger in 1992.
POSB Computerised
Sunday, 15th October 1972
POSB converted its manual system of accounting into computer processing. Arising from the computerisation exercise, all old passbooks have been replaced with new-look passbooks in attractive plastic covers.
AETI Inaugurated
Sunday, 1st October 1972
The Air Engineering Training Institute (AETI) was inaugurated. AETI is the new centralised training school for SADC (RSAF) technical personnel. The pioneering batch of AETI students was trained by expatriate trainers mainly from Britain (ex-RAF personnel).
Singapore Airlines Limited was formed
Thursday, 1st June 1972
In June of 1972 Singapore Airlines Limited was formed; its first chairperson was the former joint chief of MSA (Malaysia-Singapore Airlines), J.Y. Pillay. In July of 1972 Singapore Airlines (or SIA as it came to be known) purchased its first Boeing 747s, which would become the mainstay of its fleet. The MSA ceased operations after 6 years in 1972 when both governments decided to set up their own national airlines. Hence from that year, Malaysian Airline System, now called Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines were formed.
Pilot Training Squadron Formed
Monday, 1st May 1972
150 Squadron was form on this day. The squadron is based in the Changi Air Base with is home SIAI-Marchetti SF.260. The fourteen SF.260 will be used for the basic flying training role. The new aircraft replaces the Cessna 172K which was in service since 1969 which was transfer to Junior Flying Club (Singapore Youth Flying Club, SYFC).
Seventh Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday, 2nd April 1972
The focus of the 1972 Grand Prix was on safety. The National Sports Promotion Board had available for emergencies with 60 doctors, 120 nursing personnel, 200 St John’s volunteers, 8 ambulances and a in-circuit field hospital. In addition, the race organiser invested $20,000 in closed circuit TV to monitor the race. Despite all these, the race claimed the life to Lionel Chan when his Brabham BT16 careered off the street circuit and landed at the base of a ravine. The main race was won by Max Stewart in his Mildren-England Twin Cam and the Motorcycle GP was won by Geoff Perry in his Suzuki TR750.
POSB was made a Statutory Board
Saturday, 1st January 1972
Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) was made a Statutory Board, under the care of the Ministry of Communications. Its two principal functions under the Post Office Savings Bank Act of 1971 to carry on the general business of a savings bank and to promote saving and encourage thrift.
Singapore Youth Flying Club Established
Wednesday, 1st December 1971
The Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) was established in December 1971 as the Junior Flying Club (JFC) by the then newly-formed Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Its mission is to promote aviation among youths and inculcate in them a strong passion for flying. This is done through its aeromodelling courses for secondary school students and flying training for JC and Polytechnic students. Its vision is to be a world class aviation training centre for youths and it strives to develop them to take up a career in the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
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