Thunder over Michigan AAR

[chico]

Since the weekend of "Thunder over Michigan" is the weekend that I dedicate to not doing museum work (and there are those in the organization that would say I'm not that productive during the other 51 weekends either ) I got to go play spectator / warbird nerd / hack photographer.

I've also got to thank a couple of people. Paul Draper and the gang from the Warbird Heritage Foundation. You guys were polite and patient above and beyond the call of duty, and also left my father feeling like little a kid (ok, and me too.) Seriously, you guys were awesome.

I made it to the field just in time for the missing man flight by the T-6's, honoring the U of M transplant crew that lost their lives last month. The rest of my time was spent wandering, sweating, and enjoying another awesome airshow.

My flickr photoset: http://flickr.com/photos/tenthousandmarbles/sets/72157600724142203/

some of the (few) decent shots:













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[Taylor Stevenson]

good looking L-5!

[Paul Draper]

Thanks for posting of pic of my OY-1 Phil! I'm glad you caught me at the plane.

Thanks Taylor!

[oscardeuce]

Yep, That L-5 is one beauty of an aircraft. Paul's got it immaculate.

[Former Member]

Ummm...don't quite know what to make of the CAF "blood chit" on this guys flight suit. Since he's at Thunder and in "yankee territory" I'm afraid he'd be tortured by being force-fed brats, cheese curds, and strong German beer until he finally breaks.

John

[RyanShort1]

Gotta love that Texas Flag. I guess they had a successful invasion?

Ryan

[Paul Draper]

Yep, That L-5 is one beauty of an aircraft. Paul's got it immaculate.

Thanks Tom. It was good to talk to you over dinner on Saturday. The Down Pilot routine was awesome, I especially liked the "Radio Chatter". Very neat addition to a great demo.

O-2's (Tom, John, Bob), Mig-17 (Will), T-33 (Paul), and last but not least the UH-34 crew. Great Job!!!! Awesome Demo!!!

[REGINALD VON GLEASON III]

Yep, That L-5 is one beauty of an aircraft. Paul's got it immaculate.

Thanks Tom. It was good to talk to you over dinner on Saturday. The Down Pilot routine was awesome, I especially liked the "Radio Chatter". Very neat addition to a great demo.

O-2's (Tom, John, Bob), Mig-17 (Will), T-33 (Paul), and last but not least the UH-34 crew. Great Job!!!! Awesome Demo!!!

sorry I missed it

[Forgotten Field]

I flew in Panchito, which was lead on the 9 aircraft formation. Some impressions from my trip:

Somewhere northwest of Pittsburgh, lead aircraft bombardier position


Tom Duffy's new B-25 Take Off Time. Nice nose art, even after the nipple cover-up:



Miss Hap and two P-47's taken from top turret on Panchito:



Sergeant Jessy (don't remember last name), who was a waist gunner in COL Benjamin Davis's B-25 squadron that didn't make it into combat. This was his first time in a B-25 since WWII.



Sergeant Jessy and myself. This was right after he told me the story about how they got in trouble for dropping .50 cal belts out of the aircraft injuring some cows on the ground. He said COL Davis was very mad that they had not fired the rounds in practice. By the way, if anybody has his contact information, I need to get in touch with him. He wanted me to come see him Sunday PM but we didn't have time.



Last formation, Sunday afternoon. Beautiful!



Briefing Time waiting on the Blue Angels routine to end before heading home.



The second most impressive appearance, in my opinion. Original 1820W powered H34. Sounded like a B-17 when it took off.



The guys who made it happen. On the way home over Lake Erie, Jerry Jeffers left seat and Larry Kelley right seat. Jerry did most of the flying and did a great job. Larry's a great pilot too, but was busy doing a lot of on-the-fly coordination to make the the 9 ship formation work. Many thanks to Larry for letting me come along on this one. Great trip, won't ever forget it. Earned the permanent appointment of Top Turret Safety Officer. Don't forget Panchito is now approved for rides. Help us keep her flying!

[Lynn Allen]

Ummm...don't quite know what to make of the CAF "blood chit" on this guys flight suit. Since he's at Thunder and in "yankee territory" I'm afraid he'd be tortured by being force-fed brats, cheese curds, and strong German beer until he finally breaks.

John

In the ole' days that had a rebel flag

Lynn

[LARGEFLYER]

Hey Forgotten Field - Top Turret Safety Officer?

Does that mean you get to check the plexiglass bubble before every flight?

Or lack thereof? Ha Ha!

Larry did do a GREAT job coordinating the 9 aircraft rendezvous. I was on Tom Duffy's B-25 "Take Off Time" and it truly was a flight to remember!!! I'll try to post some pictures later.

I'm off to Geneseo tomorrow on board "Take Off Time" once again. WE hope to be there by 3:30PM Friday.

Greg

[Forgotten Field]

Greg,
Yeah, me and the top turret inspection hammer will find a hole in the plexiglass even if there isn't one there...
Have a good trip. Larry's good people. Wish I was going with the L5 but I've got to prepare for KOSH. Lots of pee and petrol breaks to plan...

[Warbirdnerd]

A beautiful photo essay on TOM can be found here:
http://maxair2air.com/07AIR/TOM/O01.html

[Elroy13]

A beautiful photo essay on TOM can be found here:
http://maxair2air.com/07AIR/TOM/O01.html

The Hillary Clinton "nutcracker" at the end is funny!

[phil65]

To thin and pretty to be Hillary

Phil