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Here's my review, I posted it in another thread, but maybe here will be a better place:
Great show today. The aircraft count: 4 P-47s, 4 P-51s, 4 B-17s, 2 B-24s, 2 B-25s, 3 C-47s, C-54, Convair 580, Bf109, Hurricane, 2 FM-2s, 2 TBMs, Mig-17, Mig-21, L-39, T-2, a bunch of T-6s, a few T-34s, 2 AT-11s, 2 Stearman, 3 L-5s, O-2, BT-13, not to mention some modern military hardware (I may be forgetting some aircraft- long day).
I'm going to reserve my final judgment on the new layout until after the show tommorrow, but the new crowd line was very nice and offered a great view of the flying. The one thing I did not like was that several aircraft I had hoped to be able to see up close were roped off away from the crowds and were not available for viewing, including the Collings B-24 and TP-51C, YAF B-17 and B-25, the Mig-21 and Mig-17, and Jack Roush's P-51B. I was initially kinda pissed that you couldn't get up close to these aircraft, but the rest of the show was so good that it really didn't end up bothering me that much. I would suggest that in the future that this portion of the flightline be open for spectators, at least in the morning.
Anyway, the Bf109 opened the flying at 10, which was a real treat to see. Truly one of the great warbird treasures out there is getting to see a real 109 fly and to be able to experience the unique sound of the DB engine. The afternoon portion of the flying got off to a rocky start, the F-18 had to cut the demo short two maneuvers into its routine after losing an engine. The pilot was able to put her down safely though.
The rest of the afternoon went great. The C-130 and P-51B flight was really unique, although I thought the C-130 Demo was kind of a snoozer. The P-47 flight was some of the best formation flying I have ever witnessed. Mark Henley also did a display in the Collings TP-51C, and Brad Hood flew his P-51D in the Heritage Flight with the F-16. The Navy flight featured some great passes by the Wildcats, as well as two Avengers. The bomber flight at the end of the show was very spectacular- 3 B-17s, 2 B-24s and a B-25. It was truly "Thunder Over Michigan."
I was also lucky enough to be able to listen to a former Luftwaffe pilot recalling some of his experiences in front of the Russell Group Bf 109. Someone, asked him what aircraft he flew, turns out he flew the Bf109K late in 1944 and early 45. Someone made the comment that the "K" was supposed to have a better climb rate, and the guy said "Nobody ever told me that, and it darn near killed me!" I'd love to know the rest of the story there. Also had the privilege to talk to a pair of B-29 crew members, as well as a 56th FG P-47 pilot. It's always a privilege to be able to talk to these heroes, especially when they are so humble about everything they did for us, and I think meeting these people is one of the things that makes Thunder such a great event.
All of the pilots did a fantastic job, especially given the tough windy conditions. This isn't the best Thunder Over Michigan I've ever been to, but its been a great show so far. Here's hoping for another safe and entertaining day tommorrow. (Sorry, no pics yet, I have one of those old film cameras ).
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Matt
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