THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013

Sorry to hear that the Indianapolis Air Show has decided that they need to cancel their air show for the weekend of June 15-16.

http://www.indyairshow.com/_PDFs/IASalert13.pdf

But perhaps this unfortunate happening can end up as a positive for Thunder Over Michigan. Maybe a warbird or two that may have been going to Indianapolis will end up at Thunder and certainly some of the air show or warbird fans that were planning to go to Indy may end up in Michigan that weekend.

[kalamazookid]

Sorry to hear that the Indianapolis Air Show has decided that they need to cancel their air show for the weekend of June 15-16.

http://www.indyairshow.com/_PDFs/IASalert13.pdf

But perhaps this unfortunate happening can end up as a positive for Thunder Over Michigan. Maybe a warbird or two that may have been going to Indianapolis will end up at Thunder and certainly some of the air show or warbird fans that were planning to go to Indy may end up in Michigan that weekend.

I just hope that isn't an indicator of things to come for TOM. We haven't exactly had many updates lately. Usually there's a complete aircraft list by now and we we haven't heard anything in a few weeks. Starting to get kind of concerned.

I just hope that isn't an indicator of things to come for TOM. We haven't exactly had many updates lately. Usually there's a complete aircraft list by now and we we haven't heard anything in a few weeks. Starting to get kind of concerned.

I can't imagine Thunder canceling. If any show can survive the loss of the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels is should be Thunder Over Michigan. They have had great shows most years without a major jet team and the cancellation of Indy can only help them.

They are a little slow in announcing the aircraft list this year, but Tom Walsh has given a recent update on the sale of Photo Tour/Photo Pit tickets.

I think the big unknown right now is whether the show will have the Thunderbirds or not. With or without, I think it will go on.

Look forward to some additional aircraft announcements soon!

[Flyin Illini]

I agree with Kalamazoo, thunder is in same comparison as Indy, warbird shows with some jets as of late, thunder years ago was only warbirds but they are the same. Be skeptical, thunder puts money back to the show, Indy put it to Riley's hospital. I think it should be seriously considered it may happen.

[Boeing666]

I just hope that isn't an indicator of things to come for TOM. We haven't exactly had many updates lately. Usually there's a complete aircraft list by now and we we haven't heard anything in a few weeks. Starting to get kind of concerned.

They went a couple months last year with no updates about this time. Along about April they did a bunch of updates, then took another month off before they updated - well I wasn't on this site back then, but I am talking about their homepage and former airshowbuzz site (which shut down about this time last year I think)

I think we should pretty much count on Thunderbirds not being there and most military shows cancelling, but TOM is a private funded show so the Sequester shouldn't effect the show other than the Thunderbirds and some modern military static not showing up.

The only thing I can think of that might mess it up is the tower issue. The FAA might now allow aircraft to fly around the airspace with DTW close by?

[Merlin51]

The only thing I can think of that might mess it up is the tower issue. The FAA might now allow aircraft to fly around the airspace with DTW close by?

YIP and DTW towers are not on the closure list, so I can not see it being an issue. ARB and DET towers are, but their possible closure shouldn't pose an issue with operations at or around YIP.

[kevin walsh]

All,
Just a quick note to end all speculation.....the 2013 THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN Air Show is a GO!!!
Regardless of military cutbacks or elimination of military aircraft, we are planning an air show.....THUNDER style
We never considered canceling but are holding to see the outcome of the sequestration issue to determine our next moves.
Will keep you posted and thanks for all the support!
Kevin
P.S. We are staying on the June 15th/16th weekend.

All,
Just a quick note to end all speculation.....the 2013 THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN Air Show is a GO!!!

Kevin, THANKS for the note! I would have expected nothing less from this great warbird air show. We look forward to the updates when you have the information for us.

[kalamazookid]

All,
Just a quick note to end all speculation.....the 2013 THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN Air Show is a GO!!!
Regardless of military cutbacks or elimination of military aircraft, we are planning an air show.....THUNDER style
We never considered canceling but are holding to see the outcome of the sequestration issue to determine our next moves.
Will keep you posted and thanks for all the support!
Kevin
P.S. We are staying on the June 15th/16th weekend.

Thanks for the information. I'm sure it must be frustrating to everyone involved not knowing how sequestration could potentially impact the show. Appreciate you guys keeping us informed and hope the outcome is resolved soon so you can move forward with planning.

[Boeing666]

Now that the Thunderbirds have canceled are there any other plans?

Canadian Snowbirds are booked that weekend and don't appear to be doing too many US shows. Brazilian Smoke Squadron has been grounded since last year for same reason. Black Diamond Jet Team has pretty much disbanded and became a government contractor Draken with a large fleet of A-4, Mig-21s and L-39s. I am wondering though if Draken is going to be less busy due to the sequester and if Thunder could get them to bring some of their aircraft to the show.

[Boeing666]

Now that the Thunderbirds have canceled are there any other plans?

Canadian Snowbirds are booked that weekend and don't appear to be doing too many US shows. Brazilian Smoke Squadron has been grounded since last year for same reason. Black Diamond Jet Team has pretty much disbanded and became a government contractor Draken with a large fleet of A-4, Mig-21s and L-39s. I am wondering though if Draken is going to be less busy due to the sequester and if Thunder could get them to bring some of their aircraft to the show.

[Boeing666]

Could someone delete my duplicate post - I was having a hard time posting this morning on the site and when it finally posted it went twice

[N3Njeff]

You know with the T-Birds standing down for 2013, its too bad that Starfighters is locked in that Govt contract. I think if they keep going, it would be a nice fill for a civilian group

[flightsimer]

I wonder if CF would consider putting their Charile model on a trailer and trucking it to Michigan for the event. Has to be cheaper in fuel and cycle times. This is a once in a life time event for any Huey owner. I also hope that event organizers start advertising in the Vietnam Veterans groups. These guys are not getting any younger and Im sure they would buy a ticket to see a flight of hueys again.


Is there a OH-6 on the list???

You guys need to have one and this is how you start the event!!! OH-6 at tree top level working the area looking. Cobra overhead circling at altitude. Loach jinks left, then right. He's taking fire............pops smoke and marks the area. Cobra rolls in for a rocket pass. Heavy NVA forces detected. Flight of Hueys sets troops on the ground. The ground war begins. Radio calls out for air support. A lone black raven (Karen's O-2) makes a hard circle and works the area. CF F-4 rolls in with a Napalm run.
2nd wave of troops hit the ground with the Hueys. as the fire fight continues. Crates are unloaded from this wave of hueys. Wounded taken out.
At the runway, the C-7 caribou or C-123 make the high rate decent, lands on the runway and stops, kicks a pallet out on the runway and rolls out for takeoff. (Caribou would be perfect!!!)
Spooky gets a call and makes a high circle overhead. Finish it off with a final Napalm run with the F-4. Make it fast and intense and I am sure the public will go home and never forget the history lesson. Maybe 15 min of intensity will last a life time and give a bit more appreciation to those who lived it for 365 days.

I forgot about the CF now has a HUN. Throw in a couple of spads and the H-34 and a pilot rescue could also be part of it.

Jeff - BOTH of your posts cover what would be an OUTSTANDING Vietnam warbird battle segment. Even if the CF could not send both the F-4D and F-100F, Dean Cutshall's F-100F from Fort Wayne would be an outstanding addition. Even though it does not have the SEA camouflage scheme, in 1965 and perhaps even early 1966 there were F-100's in combat with pre-camo aluminum finishes. And I would add that hopefully an A-4 Skyhawk will be at the show also!

First I want to be clear that I have absolutely no say in this decision, but if something like the original idea would happen, It's my opinion that we could do a routine of some sort in the 123.

Most of our crew flew the C-123 in their Air Force days and are experienced in doing actual maneuvers in it. We do assault approaches and landings quite often into the smaller shows to give a little excitement for them.

If our President of the museum is the one at the controls (he's currently the only typed pilot so goes to all shows, until sometime this year), be prepared for one hell of a show. I've flown with him multiple times in the pig to airshows and have experienced his assault landings on almost every trip... One assualt landing in particular was in gusts to nearly 30kts and it was the smoothest and softest landing I have ever experienced! And the stories I have heard of his performances as just as good.

With that being said, I would like to clarify my earlier post about Air Hertiage and flying our C-123 as a demo bird and not just static. After talking to our event coordinator, he said we are willing to fly at any show if asked, however, we can only do so if the fuel and oil is provided for the demo. As a non-profit group, we can't afford to do demo in it on our own.

On a personal note, I would love to see us take part in some sort of demo flight and would love to see Jeff's idea take place. I myself have been thinking of something along these lines for the future for our own aviation day at our base airport as we still have the mountings for the stretchers still with the plane along with two stretchers and have local Huey's to bring patients in from the "remote locations".

[michael luther]

Just added,

Peter Bales's OH-6A Cayuse.