Warbird Information Exchange

So with TOM2007 now complete, was it as successful of a fund-raising effort as the Yankee Air Museum had hoped for? I couldn't help but notice the steady stream of cars coming into the airport all the way up until the Blue Angels started. In fact, I recall seeing people arriving and leaving at the same time, presumably as the wardbird people left and the Blue Angels fans arrived.

The crowds certainly seemed very large both days. I hope the end result was a wildly successful show that will help a great deal for the construction of that new hanger.

Better late than never I guess...

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Trae

I as well hope that the show was wildly successful for the YAF, however some of my friends say they will not be back because of the traffic problems getting off the field after the show. The double edge sword of a successful event.

I'm guessing, from what I heard at the show, that the show will return to its "regular" site at the airport next year...and that this year's setup was largely due to the attendance of the Blue Angels (and the large crowds that were forecasted and that, indeed, turned up). So if the the only thing holding them back from attending again was the parking arrangement, I would think next year won't be quite so bad.

Kevin and Tom may need to step in here, however, if I have mispoken about what will happen next year.

Has any one heard what the status is for the Museum putting up a new building? From what I understand, it is going to be a first rate place.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I didn't think the wait was so bad. I really like the fact of parking pretty close to the air show line! Not bad at all!

(Granted, with this being my first Thunder, I don't know what it was like before, but this was great!)

I would agree with your assumption about the extra large crowd due to the Blues. I got there early and left before the Blues were 1/2 way done, took about 15 minutes to get off the airport property. My buddy left with the herd, said it took them over 2 hours to get off the property. His assessment was a lack of traffic control / flow in the parkling area. Just the normal "herd mentality" of everyone rush for the exit at the same time. It's a tough chore for sure, but only 2 exits for that large of a crowd was apparently not enough.

Regardless, I will return next year..and the next..and the next. I thought that the show was great.....other than the asshats in the playstation truck!!


And seeing the F-86 flying over my house that weekend was just too cool...

Seeing the Blues was pretty cool, but I wish they would have done the Ground Display like they did in years past. Getting out wasn't too bad, my dad and I walked around after the Blue Angels and then waited another half hour or so before actually leaving. By then, the police were directing traffic out.

We returned to our car around 5:00, and it took us the better part of an hour to get out of the parking area..but I've had far longer waits after fireworks displays or concerts (heck, it took me twice as long to drive across Toronto on the so-called "freeway" the day before.) All in all, we had a great time, and will definately be back next year!

I understand the re-enactors will be back next year. The only reason they didn't have them this year was because the show line had to be moved to accomadate the Blues.

BTW, does anybody know what next year's Thunder "theme" will be? Since I hear there may be five P-38s flying by then, I vote for "Thunder and Lightnings!"


SN
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Steve - it will probably be a while before they pick a theme for next year (I think Michael Luther first announced the "Mitchell" theme for this year last October).

I think a P-38 Lightning theme would be nice, but not realistic. Even IF there are 5 flying P-38s by next Summer the odds of getting them all to Michigan at the same time would be very slim. The most you would likely get there would be 2 or 3 in my opinion. Unless there are at least 8 to 10 or more flying examples of a particular type of aircraft with a reasonable chance of coming to Michigan, than I think it is better to choose a group or general type theme such as:

Jet Warbirds (all types, F-86s, T-33s, FJ-4B, MiGs, T-2s, F-100s, A-4, Hunters, etc.)

Navy/Marine Piston Fighters (F3F, Wildcats, Hellcats, Tigercats, Bearcats, Corsairs, etc.) And maybe include Skyraiders with this.

Army Piston Fighters (P-35, P-38s, P-40s, P-47s, P-51s, P-63, etc.)

WWII 4-engine bombers (B-17s, B-24s, B-29, Lancaster, etc.)

Piston Trainers (T-6/SNJs, T-28s, T-34s, etc.)

Cargo/Transports (C-45s, C-46, C-47s, C-54, C-119, C-123s, C-131, Caribous, C-97 (Someday!), etc.)

Just a few thoughts - I always look to a great variety of flying warbirds at TOM!.

I think it would be cool seeing a 55th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War them next year... but that's just me.

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Matt

No Matt - it's NOT just you - that's a great idea. Skyraiders, A(B)-26s, Sabres, Corsairs, T-6s, T-33s (to represent F-80s), F-51s, C-47s, C-54, B-29 (if ready), are 10 types of flying warbird aircraft that come to mind from the Korean War era out there, and I am sure there are others. A long shot would be to get that Cavanaugh Flight Museum F9F-2B Panther ready to fly again and bring it up.

Excellent theme idea!

Yeah, CARGO AIRPLANES AND TRANSPORTS WOULD DRAG PEOPLE IN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way too cool THUNDER and LIGHTNINGS

The show was great, Hope the Museum got some $$$ out of it (I'm sure everyone else did; Been there before). I'll be back next year.

Mark H

Hey Mark - not sure if you are being sarcastic or not - but I love big radial engine (whether 4 or 2 engine) transports a lot and I am sure many others do also. I would rather see a Connie and a C-97 fly by than a B-24 and B-29 or rather see a C-119 and a C-131/Convair Liner fly by than a B-25 and a B-26 - but that's me. Jet Warbirds and big horsepower piston engine transports are MY two favorite categories of aircraft. Actually I don't care if people come from all over the world or not as long as a good group of warbird lovers show up.

I am sure there will always be a good variety of warbirds whatever the theme may be.

I enjoyed the last 3 TOM's and I look forward to the next one.

Cant have one without the other,

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Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

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