THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2022

[bmoran]

The theme announcement, along with any other announcement is meaningless to me, and I imagine quite a few others, until predicated with an announcement reverting the show format back to one comparable with the tradition enjoyed by myself and many over the past decades. Those shows have been very enjoyable and left great impressions and left life-long impressions. However, if this Covid format persists for the show, the allure is no longer there to make the multi-state journey and support the museum efforts. I wish YAM well, but it is infuriating that they upset, without address, a seemingly not insignificant number their existing affectionados.

[Xray]

A dilemma of sorts for those of us who have been attending for years - We don't want them to be unsuccessful, but if they sell out again, they'll likely keep doing it.

I'd personally like to see the Angels show sell out, and the other very sparsely attended. Maybe that'll push them to, if not get rid of the covid format all together, at least get rid of the ludicrous multi shows.
Covid & anal social distancing measures seem now more of an excuse than any actual necessity.

Don't like to see any acrimony and don't feel good saying it but it must be said, and TOM organizers brought it on themselves amongst their most devout supporters here.

[The Ripper]

So all talk about the format of the airshow aside, a British theme is very interesting. Perhaps ToM might share some warbirds with Oshkosh? British warbirds in America and Canada that I can think of, off the top of my head:

-Somers Mosquito PZ474
-Somers Spitfire XVI TB252
-Yagen Mosquito KA114
-Yagen Spitfire IX
-Yagen Hurricane
-CWHM Lancaster
-DTAM Spitfire IX
-DTAM Hurricane
-Rod Lewis' Spitfire V
-Spitfire I P9374
-Collings Spitfire IX BR601 (is this still airworthy?)
-CAF SoCal Spitfire XIV
-Spitfire XVIII SM969 (airworthy?)
-VWoC Spitfire IX
-VWoC Hurricane (if airworthy in time?)
-CWHM Firefly
-Captain Eddie Firefly
-Lysander
-Planes of Fame Meteor T7

There are, of course, other British warbirds out there such as Friedkin's Spitfire V and XIV but I doubt they would attend. Likewise the FHCAM British fleet.

I don't think I'm missing much else?

[hurricane_yank]

So all talk about the format of the airshow aside, a British theme is very interesting. Perhaps ToM might share some warbirds with Oshkosh? British warbirds in America and Canada that I can think of, off the top of my head:

-Somers Mosquito PZ474
-Somers Spitfire XVI TB252
-Yagen Mosquito KA114
-Yagen Spitfire IX
-Yagen Hurricane
-CWHM Lancaster
-DTAM Spitfire IX
-DTAM Hurricane
-Rod Lewis' Spitfire V
-Spitfire I P9374
-Collings Spitfire IX BR601 (is this still airworthy?)
-CAF SoCal Spitfire XIV
-Spitfire XVIII SM969 (airworthy?)
-VWoC Spitfire IX
-VWoC Hurricane (if airworthy in time?)
-CWHM Firefly
-Captain Eddie Firefly
-Lysander
-Planes of Fame Meteor T7

There are, of course, other British warbirds out there such as Friedkin's Spitfire V and XIV but I doubt they would attend. Likewise the FHCAM British fleet.

I don't think I'm missing much else?

Isn't there a Seafire outside of Chicago?

[Dan K]

Isn't there a Seafire outside of Chicago?

Thinking of PR503? I don't believe it's been flown for a number of years.

I imagine John Terrell will be along shortly with an update.

[hurricane_yank]

Isn't there a Seafire outside of Chicago?

Thinking of PR503? I don't believe it's been flown for a number of years.

I imagine John Terrell will be along shortly with an update.

I felt like it was at Oshkosh in '15 or '16...but maybe it was longer ago than that.

[kalamazookid]

Isn't there a Seafire outside of Chicago?

Thinking of PR503? I don't believe it's been flown for a number of years.

I imagine John Terrell will be along shortly with an update.

I felt like it was at Oshkosh in '15 or '16...but maybe it was longer ago than that.

PR503 was grand champion in 2010. I haven't seen anything about public flights since then but I believe it was displayed at the Salute to Veterans event in Columbia, MO a few times before the event went under.

[GRNDP51]

Chiming in with a pretty exhaustive (and realistic) list I've been working on with ML (and thanks to JT for the airworthy list as a starting point).

Sea Fury
-N15S (Oklahoma Private Owner)
-N20SF “Dreadnought” (Sanders)
-N19SF “Argonaut” (Sanders)
-N924G “924G” (Sanders)
-N71GB “Sawbones” (Crandall)
-N63SF “On Eagle’s Wings” (Thibodeau)
-N878M “Miss Merced” (Woelbing)
-N85SF (Dwelle)
-N39SF (Texas Private Owner)
-N24SF “Spirit of Texas” (Dawson)
-N233MB (Lewis)

Spitfire
-MK959 (DTAM)
-MJ730 (Yagen)
-TE294 (VWoC)
-P9374 (Lauder)
-SL633 (Sessions)
-SM969 (Walton)
-TB252 (Somers)
-BR601 (Collings)
-NH749 (CAF)
-BL628 (Lewis)
-EP122 (Friedkin)

Other
-Avro Lancaster (CWHM)
-Fairey Firefly (Kurdziel)
-de Havilland Mosquito (Yagen)
-de Havilland Mosquito (Somers)
-Hawker Hurricane (Yagen)
-Hawker Hurricane (DTAM)

-de Havilland Vampire (Conley)
-Westland Lysander (Ontario Private Owner)

-Fairey Firefly (CWHM) *Pending Airworthiness*
-Hawker Hurricane (VWoC) *Pending Airworthiness*
-Hawker Tempest II (KF Aero) *Pending Airworthiness*

Last edited by GRNDP51 on Mon Nov 15, 2021 1:55 pm, edited 7 times in total.

[Thomas_Mac]

Chiming in with a pretty exhaustive (and realistic) list I've been working on with ML (and thanks to JT for the airworthy list as a starting point).
- Vintage Wings has a handful of planes that are plausible - I'm not entirely sure which are airworthy or not. I'm not sure which Spitfires they own (and which are airworthy if any), if the Hurricane will be finished, and if the Swordfish is airworthy or even worth coming.
-Canadian Warplane Heritage - I'm not entirely sure what is airworthy or what they own anymore. Last I heard was the Lancaster isn't currently flying. Assuming that's the case for the Firefly as well.
-Which Lysander is still in Canada? I haven't been able to follow it, but it's either VWoC of CWH - and I think it's airworthy.

Vintage Wings of Canada has Spitfire Mk IX TE294 which is airworthy. Their Swordfish is now in the UK I believe. The Lysander that is airworthy was part of Vintage Wings of Canada is now privately owned by an investment group I believe and is based in Ontario. Maybe Dave Hadfield could chime in? A Hurricane update would be most appreciated!

The Lancaster is currently airworthy and flew yesterday for Remembrance Day ceremonies. They have posted they hope to have the Firefly flying for 2022 for the museums 50th anniversary. Fingers crossed as it will be amazing to see it flying alongside their Avenger and Tracker when the time comes!

Waterloo Warbirds has a Swiss license built Vampire as well. Not sure how far from home they would go with it however.

[GRNDP51]

Vintage Wings of Canada has Spitfire Mk IX TE294 which is airworthy. Their Swordfish is now in the UK I believe. The Lysander that is airworthy was part of Vintage Wings of Canada is now privately owned by an investment group I believe and is based in Ontario. Maybe Dave Hadfield could chime in? A Hurricane update would be most appreciated!

The Lancaster is currently airworthy and flew yesterday for Remembrance Day ceremonies. They have posted they hope to have the Firefly flying for 2022 for the museums 50th anniversary. Fingers crossed as it will be amazing to see it flying alongside their Avenger and Tracker when the time comes!

Waterloo Warbirds has a Swiss license built Vampire as well. Not sure how far from home they would go with it however.

Thanks for the update! Exactly what I was looking for. That helps clear up the list.

Good note on the Vampire as well.

[ErrolC]

Most P-51s also count, right?

[mazdaP5]

Lots of Harvards around, Chippers too.

[michael luther]

We are very excited to announce,

The theme aircraft for the 2022 THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN Air Show will be the Spitfire!

[GRNDP51]

Added a special aircraft that was overlooked - Hawker Tempest II MW376 in Canada which is projected to be flying in Spring.

[ricusa]

I talked to a member today and was told Kevin Walsh said they got "very good feedback for the drive-in two show format" so they chose to repeat it. I don't mind the drive-in part but the two show a day program I'm not a fan of! Guess they will keep it as long as they can turn a good profit.