Thunder Over Michigan 2010

[bg1013]

I visited Thunder Over Michigan for the first time in about 2005 (tons of B17s aB24 and some B25s were all there). The layout was awesome and I got some excellent photos of the planes as they taxied out to the runway. Also, the flyover area was relatively close and I got some great air shots as well. I think I was walking around the hangar area, if that helps.

Well, in 2007 or so, I went again, but I had to walk about 20-30 minutes to even get to the spectator area. Where I was, with a 300mm lens, I couldn't get much more than specks in my photos. It was ridiculous. The announcer would talk about the planes, but you couldn't even see them and by the time you did, the announcer was talking about someting else which you couldn't yet see. I haven't been back since.

I would love to go back, but only if I'm going to get worthwhile photos and be able to see the aircraft. I thought about the photo pit a year or two ago, but then read in a forum that the people that paid that extra $$ were nowhere near the planes again and couldn't get good shots.

So I'm in a dilemma. I would love to come, but am wary of paing any extra $. Can someone help explain the layout and if anything has changed? I love the aircraft, love the history, and would love to show, but can't see paying $30+ to see dots that are supposed to be planes.

[Rhino-9-3]

I visited Thunder Over Michigan for the first time in about 2005 (tons of B17s aB24 and some B25s were all there). The layout was awesome and I got some excellent photos of the planes as they taxied out to the runway. Also, the flyover area was relatively close and I got some great air shots as well. I think I was walking around the hangar area, if that helps.

Well, in 2007 or so, I went again, but I had to walk about 20-30 minutes to even get to the spectator area. Where I was, with a 300mm lens, I couldn't get much more than specks in my photos. It was ridiculous. The announcer would talk about the planes, but you couldn't even see them and by the time you did, the announcer was talking about someting else which you couldn't yet see. I haven't been back since.

I would love to go back, but only if I'm going to get worthwhile photos and be able to see the aircraft. I thought about the photo pit a year or two ago, but then read in a forum that the people that paid that extra $$ were nowhere near the planes again and couldn't get good shots.

So I'm in a dilemma. I would love to come, but am wary of paing any extra $. Can someone help explain the layout and if anything has changed? I love the aircraft, love the history, and would love to show, but can't see paying $30+ to see dots that are supposed to be planes.

The layout this year is pretty well the same as it was in 2005. The 2007 layout was done so the spectators could be parallel to the runway for the Blues show (I believe). Mike or Tom would be able to explain it better though.

[TOM WALSH]

Sunday Photo Tour/Pit is SOLD OUT!!

Our thanks to everyone who reserved and paid for their slot early on.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[Todd Hackbarth]

The Aircraft List on the Thunder Over Michigan website was updated today!!!
http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/ ... ctions.php

The following aircraft were added:
North American Aviation T-6 Texan - Roger & Margaret Schlueter
Douglas DC-7B - Historical Flight Foundation
General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon (2) - East Coast Demonstration Team - Shaw AFB
Raytheon T-6A Texan II - 47th FTW - Laughlin AFB
Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon - AWSTS HM-14 - NAS Norfolk (making two MH-53s)


Sadly, missing from the list is the Russell Group's Messerschmitt bf-109E!!!


Todd

[Nathan]

Would any WIX'ers be interested in getting a ride in the DC-7? I think the minuimum is 30 passangers. Can we get about 30 here that would want to do it?

[Roger Cain]

thanks for the update, looking forward to seeing the DC-7!

[TOM WALSH]

I will try and find out what happened to the BF-109E4.

It may have just fallen off during the update.

Kevin or Mike, over to you.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[mrhenniger]

Sadly, missing from the list is the Russell Group's Messerschmitt bf-109E!!!

That is a major bummer. The 109/262 combo was the draw for me. Has anyone heard what is up with the Russel Group this year?

Mike

[Glen]

Greetings
Looks like it well be worth the Trip from Texas !
Is there still a chance that More B-17's might be added to the list ? ............and was I dreaming that some Group was building a C Model from Scratch ? Looking forward to meeting up with fellow Wixer's when we get there ...........Oh Yeah visit the in laws too

[kevin walsh]

The Russel Group emailed me on Monday night and informed me that they had a snag developing for the Bf109 for August. They were apparently told earlier this year by Transport Canada that the Aug 1st prop overhaul date for the 109 could be extended to the end of the season. The Russell Group scheduled the 109 at about 7 shows this summer based on this info. The officials in Ottawa have just decried that there would be no extension and thereby forcing the Russell Group to send the prop to Germany on Aug.1st for a six week overhaul. The Russell Group has the 109 scheduled for four shows before August 1st., so they can not send it out earlier.
I told the Russell Group that we understand and that we look forward to their participation again in the very near future.
Regards,
Kevin

[mrhenniger]

The Russel Group emailed me on Monday night and informed me that they had a snag developing for the Bf109 for August. They were apparently told earlier this year by Transport Canada that the Aug 1st prop overhaul date for the 109 could be extended to the end of the season. The Russell Group scheduled the 109 at about 7 shows this summer based on this info. The officials in Ottawa have just decried that there would be no extension and thereby forcing the Russell Group to send the prop to Germany on Aug.1st for a six week overhaul. The Russell Group has the 109 scheduled for four shows before August 1st., so they can not send it out earlier.
I told the Russell Group that we understand and that we look forward to their participation again in the very near future.
Regards,
Kevin

Thanks Kevin! Running a show as big as Thunder must be a really complex juggling act. Thanks for all of the hard work and dedication it takes to bring it all together.

Mike

[Mudge]

Sadly, missing from the list is the Russell Group's Messerschmitt bf-109E!!!

That is a major bummer. The 109/262 combo was the draw for me. Has anyone heard what is up with the Russel Group this year?

Mike

Yeah...me too. I guess we'll just have to suffer through with that slim lineup that's left.

Mudge the bummed

[kevin walsh]

The Russel Group emailed me on Monday night and informed me that they had a snag developing for the Bf109 for August. They were apparently told earlier this year by Transport Canada that the Aug 1st prop overhaul date for the 109 could be extended to the end of the season. The Russell Group scheduled the 109 at about 7 shows this summer based on this info. The officials in Ottawa have just decried that there would be no extension and thereby forcing the Russell Group to send the prop to Germany on Aug.1st for a six week overhaul. The Russell Group has the 109 scheduled for four shows before August 1st., so they can not send it out earlier.
I told the Russell Group that we understand and that we look forward to their participation again in the very near future.
Regards,
Kevin

Thanks Kevin! Running a show as big as Thunder must be a really complex juggling act. Thanks for all of the hard work and dedication it takes to bring it all together.

Mike

Thanks Mike.
It certainly is not a light load but it is our passion!
We are all very disappointed by this cancellation but that is the way it goes in the air show business sometimes.
Regards,
Kevin

[dc8jet]

I would like to take the DC-7 flight. Right now it looks like it will depend on how much money I spend at Oshkosh.