THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013?

[mazdaP5]

I do really like the Korean era idea.

[MKD1966]

Korean War theme! Definitely!!! There are many still-flying types that participated in the action:

US Air Force:
P-51 Mustang
A-26 Invader
B-29 Superfortress
F-86 Sabre
T-33 Shooting Star (stand-in for F-80?)
LT-6G Texan
O-1 Bird Dog
L-17 Navion
C-47 Skytrain
C-54 Skymaster
HU-16 Albatross
Any C-119s still flying?

US Navy:
F-4U Corsair
AD Skyraider
TBM Avenger
PB4Y Privateer
(too bad no F9F's still flying!)

US Army:
Bell 47 helicopter

UK:
Sea Fury

"The Opposition":
MiG-15
Sturmovik
PO-2 biplane (are there any on this side of the pond?)

Also Tigercats and Bearcats... And maybe a couple of P-82's if they get them flying in time...
Mike

[mrhenniger]

I like the idea of a Korean theme.

Mike

[k5083]

For Korean theme, add Firefly and Seafire from UK.

August

[kalamazookid]

Also, add Yak-3/9s to the Russians.

The main reason I think Korea should be a theme is because of the veterans. The vets of that conflict go largely unrecognized as a whole in mainstream history. The general public knows about WWII and Vietnam, but the vets of Korea don't get near the same due as the vets from those other two wars. I think it's time something is done about this, and an airshow with a Korea theme can play a part in thanking them.

I do realize TOM has to sell tickets and needs a show that makes sense for them from a business standpoint. I think a Korean theme does that. Getting the Horseman in F-86s, or a Mig/Sabre dogfight would be a great sell to both aviation enthusiasts and the general public. Throw in the other types and I think it has the potential to be a great draw.

I would like to see another British theme some day. I just think Korea would be most appropriate for 2013 since it will mark 60 years since the end of the conflict.

Hadn't heard anything in this thread for a while. Wondering if we are getting close to a selection of a theme and announcement of possible aircraft gathering subjects for next year?

And will we hear the official dates for next year's show announced soon?

[martin_sam_2000]

I vote for either Korean war or (even tho I am completely biased here) the British/German theme. Between Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Vintage Wings of Canada, Collings foundation, The flying heritage collection and Jerry Yagan's collection, not to mention a bunch of other one off aircraft here and there you would have a great and unique Show! I know it might not fly to well with the Average U.S. Citizen, but you would have a TON of aviation enthusiasts show up for that one, including a bunch from up here in Canada!!

Sean

[Boeing666]

While I always prefer Heavy bombers/heavy transport. I would always like a Cold War era theme too.

However, I agree with the Korean theme (which could fit into Cold War), maybe make it a combination Korean and Berlin Airlift theme. I don't really think I have ever seen an airshow or really a portion of a warbird airshow dedicated to Korean War. We see plenty of WWII and Vietnam, but Korean War is largely forgotten at a lot of airshows

[mikebigtoe]

Are there dates for the airshow yet? Korean theme does sound great. Bell 47's, A-1's. I have not seen the Air Zoo's Tiger cat since it has been sold. Would be nice to see as many Tiger cats show up as possible.

[Mudge]

We would like to ask everyone what overall show theme and theme aircraft gathering you would like to see for THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013?

Michael...Michael...Michael...How could you open this can o' worms? Or, a better question, WHY?

Mudge the shocked

[BK]

Announced today Thunder will be June 15-16, 2013. The earlier than normal dates to accommodate the Thunderbirds schedule, if you go by the hint on the show page http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/. Official announcement at the ICAS convention.

Announced today Thunder will be June 15-16, 2013. The earlier than normal dates to accommodate the Thunderbirds schedule, if you go by the hint on the show page http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/. Official announcement at the ICAS convention.

I don't like the extra crowds and traffic that the Blue Angels have brought to Thunder and the Thunderbirds will do the same thing. But, if the Thunderbirds like the Blue Angels can generate more revenue for the YAM, AND that results in a bigger and better lineup of VINTAGE WARBIRDS (props and jets) for the show, then I say bring them on!

It is too bad that the weekend will conflict with a few other shows, especially the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Hamilton, Ontario Warbird show, but if both shows put together unbeatable vintage warbird lineups then Maybe Thunder one day and Hamilton one day would be possible (about 200 to 225 miles apart).

Looking forward to hearing the Theme or themes and some of the warbirds planned. Hoepfully we will hear this when the update comes on December 11th.

[N3Njeff]

Korean war would be neat and your ground war for the US side would stay with the same type of equipment. Sure would be neat to wear my coveralls and work the flight line among some F-86's with the EOD M-37

[kalamazookid]

Announced today Thunder will be June 15-16, 2013. The earlier than normal dates to accommodate the Thunderbirds schedule, if you go by the hint on the show page http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/. Official announcement at the ICAS convention.

I don't like the extra crowds and traffic that the Blue Angels have brought to Thunder and the Thunderbirds will do the same thing. But, if the Thunderbirds like the Blue Angels can generate more revenue for the YAM, AND that results in a bigger and better lineup of VINTAGE WARBIRDS (props and jets) for the show, then I say bring them on!

It is too bad that the weekend will conflict with a few other shows, especially the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Hamilton, Ontario Warbird show, but if both shows put together unbeatable vintage warbird lineups then Maybe Thunder one day and Hamilton one day would be possible (about 200 to 225 miles apart).

Looking forward to hearing the Theme or themes and some of the warbirds planned. Hoepfully we will hear this when the update comes on December 11th.

Not only the same weekend as the CWH show, but Indianapolis as well. Going to be a lot of competition to for warbirds between these three shows that weekend, which is a shame. Hopefully each show will have a unique enough focus so the competition doesn't hurt the other shows in warbird attendance. Given that the show is the same weekend as CWH, I think this rules out a British theme for Thunder this year since the Lanc, Firefly, Lizzie, etc. will all be tied up.

I am excited about these dates though because it means I'll be able to attend. Missed ToM last year for the first time since 2001. Felt weird to see pictures of the show and not be there. It will be great to head back to Willow Run for what I'm sure will be another great year. Looking forward to hearing what the theme will be.