THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2012

[Boeing666]

[quote="jwc50]
I like some of the older jet engines too. But I would hardly say that the turbofan engines on the E-3 are the "old smoky engines." The old smoky engines are really the turbojet engines that preceeded the turbofans. Like the KC-135A's when they had the old J-57 turbojets and the B-52G's and earlier models with the J-57 engines. Yes the turbofans on KC-135E's, USAF E-3's and B-52H's may put out some visible smoke compared to more modern high bypass engines, but nothing like the old turbojets. But the smaller older Turbofans definitely have a different sound then the big high bypass engines that replaced them.

Agree. it would be outstanding to see a B-24 as a last minute addition to Thunder.[/quote]

I was under the impression that all of the E-3s were re-engined to the high bypass CFMs that are on the 737s, but I swear these were stage 1 engines of this E-3 that flew over my place the other day - it had the high screams like the B-52 that I saw a few days before (making me think it was a B-52 landing at first when I heard it). It was quite smokey.

They do need to have a B-24 regularly at Thunder just because it is Willow Run.

[Boeing666]

I like it all, but it is always nice to see something new that never been there before.

I like it all too. But WWII prop, Post-WWII prop (like C-97, C-123, Skyraider, etc.), and 1950's/1960's era vintage jets are my favorites.

I would not mind seeing some unique current military aircraft that do not frequent Thunder come in on Taxiway Photography/Arrival Day to get some great aerial views and photography on approach.

That is exactly how I feel. I pretty much enjoy seeing most WWII props fly (a little bored with the same T-6s/Harvards every year, and bored with too many L- birds). I like the heavy WWII/post WWII stuff like B-29, B-24, B-17, C-46, C-121, C-123, C-97, (wish there was a C-124 still around to fly) and I also want to see the vintage jets. I am also looking forward to a P-38 being there, the only 1 I have pictures of flying is 123 Skidoo that was at Thunder in 2006 and this one will be a new one.

I was hoping for some modern stuff for the arrival day too. I always watch from Ecorse Rd and some of the modern stuff makes for great pictures on arrivals day like that E-6, the P-3s, C-2 last year. It would be awesome to have a modern military jet just to be able to do a heritage flight - would be nice to see an A-10 go up with the P-47 and a couple P-51s, or an F-15/16 go up with a couple P-51s and the F-86. However most jet heritage flights aren't happening due to budget cuts. I would love to see one for the different eras - P-51, F-86, F-4, F-15 and F-22.

[michael luther]

We are very excited to have the following P-51's attending "Mustang Mania",

The Collings Foundation's A-36A Apache "Baby Carmen"
Jack Roush's P-51B Mustang "OLD CROW"
The Commemorative Air Force's P-51C Mustang "TUSKEGEE Airmen"
Vlado Lenoch's P-51D Mustang "Moonbeam McSwine"
The Tri-State Warbird Museum's P-51D Mustang "Cincinnati Miss"
Mike George's P-51D Mustang "Worry Bird"
Doug Matthews P-51D Mustang "The Rebel"
The Warbird Heritage Foundation's P-51D Mustang "Baby-Duck"
Tom Patten's P-51D Mustang "Sweetie Face"
Tony Buechler's P-51D Mustang "Petie 2nd"
Wes Stowers and Billy Strickland's P-51D Mustang "Ain't Misbehavin'"
The Commemorative Air Force's P-51D Mustang "Red Nose"
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum's P-51D Mustang "The Brat III"
The Commemorative Air Force's P-51D Mustang "GUNFIGHTER"
Mike Henningsen's P-51D Mustang "Big Beautiful Doll"
Chuck Greenhill's P-51D Mustang "LOU IV"
Dan Fordice's P-51D Mustang "Charlotte's Chariot II"
Jack Roush's P-51D Mustang "GENTLEMAN JIM"
Jim Hagedorn's P-51D Mustang "OLD CROW"

More to be added soon!

(Just added)

[Boeing666]

Did Jim Hagedorn's P-51D Old Crow used to belong to Roush? I remember Roush used to have a D Model named Old Crow about 10-15 years ago and then he sold it before he bought the B model and named it Old Crow

[TOM WALSH]

19 members of the Mustang family - 4 separate variants.

Nice.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[wls3]

[Boeing666]

That is the same paint job that was on Roush's D model Old Crow he used to have 10+ years ago.

[BK]

The schedule has been posted: http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/schedule

Friday, August 3rd
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm JACK DEMMER FORD THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN AIR & GROUND PARADE
Location: Downtown Belleville, MI

Saturday, August 4th & Sunday, August 5th
9:00 am – Air Show Grounds Open
9:00 am – Grandstands, Bomber Club, Fighter Club and Officers Club Open
9:00 am – Ford Mustang Car Show
9:00 am – Kid Zone Play Area Open
10:30 am – Beer Garden Open (Saturday)
10:30 am - 11:00 am WWII Air & Ground Battle (two P-47's)
12:00 noon – Beer Garden Open (Sunday)

11:40 am - 4:00 pm Flying Schedule
P-51 Mustang Demo (Vlado Lenoch)
WWII Primary Trainer Flight (two PT-17's and PT-19)
BT-13 Valiant Demo (Michael Kennedy)
T-6 Texan Formation Flight (seven T-6's)
HH-65 Dolphin Demo
B-29 Superfortress
F-86 Sabre Demo
WWII Air & Ground Battle (A-36 and seventeen P-51's)
P-51 Mustang Formation Flight (A-36 and up to seventeen P-51's)
MH-60 Knighthawk Demo
WWII Fighter & Bomber Flight (P-38, two P-47's, B-17 and three B-25's)
Sea Harrier Demo

5:00 pm - Air Show Grounds Close

[TOM WALSH]

Lots of inline and radial engine noise in Belleville, Michigan in a few days!

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

All,

Additional static military aircraft will be added in the next few days.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

Tom,

Still waiting for some additional static military aircraft to hopefully see arrive on Friday/Taxiway Photography Day. Only new addition so far is an F/A-18F Super Hornet.......that's not all I hope??

[TOM WALSH]

Jim;

I'm excited about the news of the static F/A-18F Super Hornet. That's a first for T.O.M. Kevin and Mike have been pulling out all the stops with regard to aircraft - both static and flying for the 2012 show. It's been a very lean year for everyone in the Air Show business. If there are any more additions we'll keep everyone posted here at WIX.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[Boeing666]

Whatever happened with that ME-262 that we were supposed to have at Thunder back in 2010 that cancelled last minute?

Jim;

I'm excited about the news of the static F/A-18F Super Hornet. That's a first for T.O.M. Kevin and Mike have been pulling out all the stops with regard to aircraft - both static and flying for the 2012 show. It's been a very lean year for everyone in the Air Show business. If there are any more additions we'll keep everyone posted here at WIX.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

Tom, while I personally can't say I am "excited" about the Super Hornet, I realize everyone is trying as hard as they can to make this a good show. It is a tough year, and I am looking forward to a good warbird display in a week.

We will hope for a few more additions, but no matter what we will enjoy the flying next weekend!

Keep up the good work!

[Boeing666]

Is the Super Hornet performing too? I see nothing about it on the website. Something it could go on a legacy flight with? What happened with that Hornet's nest thing last year? There were supposed to be a couple dozen F-18s, some in the special Centennial schemes but the only F-18s were the 7 Blue Angels. I remember it was advertised early but then taken down a couple weeks before. Was that part of federal budget cuts?

Here is hoping the weather will be good next week. The forecast right now doesn't look too promising but last year we survived - looks identical to last year 95 and thunderstorms each day (I could stay in Florida for that). I remember last year a small light thunderstorm happened on arrivals day while Blue Angels practiced. Saturday it was very hot and the storms held up until after the show - small one passed to the south before the show. I'm not sure about Sunday because I went down to Dayton and a storm ended the thunderbirds there early and I hit another big one on the way back up to Detroit.

Is the Super Hornet performing too? I see nothing about it on the website.

AS was mentioned in the posts above and as announced on the Thunder Over Michigan Facebook page, the Super Hornet is coming for STATIC display only.