THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013

Unless you like World War II planes.

I think they can stop adding Skyraiders now. They had the Nam crowd buttoned up at 4 or 5 of those, and they need to give WWII buffs a reason to attend, which right now they don't have.

August

August,

Understand what you are saying, but Vietnam is the theme and WWII warbirds are usually overwhelmingly featured at most shows that have a warbird theme. It is refreshing to post-WWII warbird fans (I DO like WWII warbirds too!) like me to see an emphasis like this once in a while. And the more Skyraiders the better in order to make it a true gathering! And maybe you don't remember, but 7 years ago in 2006 the Skyraider was the "gathering/theme" aircraft for Thunder and SEVEN were on the announced aircraft list. When the show finally arrived in August that year ONE Skyraider actually showed up (coincidentally the one announced today). Due to mechanical, weather and perhaps other issues the others didn't make it. Hopefully we will see all the planned aircraft this year.

Looking forward to the show!

[k5083]

I certainly wish them the best. The Nam buffs have as much a right as any of us to a good show. I'm just saying, that has to be your niche to regard this lineup as comparable to Chino or Hamilton this year. It could improve a lot, in terms of breadth of appeal, if they get the usual Oshkosh leftovers from Roush, Fagen etc.

August

[Rob W]

Neat additions, but we've seen them before and not too long ago.

The organizers are going to have to move Heaven and Earth if they think that there are a large contingent of people out there that A) are hugely interested in Vietnam-era warbirds and B) are going to be willing to pay $35 for admission (per person) and $15 to park (for one car) with the current lineup.

I think that a lot of people, at this point in the summer, will be looking at the (incorrect) information listed on Thunder's website and deciding whether or not they want to to spend a weekend day at the airshow watching a collection of aircraft from a period of history that they probably can't relate to or whether they want to head down to the local ballpark and catch a baseball game.

[Xray]

This show, along with many others, took an instant and huge hit when the Blue Angels were grounded. So obviously, attendance will be way down from other years which had a premium military aircraft team on the roster, and not so much because people aren't into a certain era of aircraft or another.
Me, I'd go if they had a Sopwith Camel and a B-17 flying around, simply because I love aircraft, am an airshow junkie, and this is the only game in town.

[capt.grumpyly]

Neat additions, but we've seen them before and not too long ago.

The organizers are going to have to move Heaven and Earth if they think that there are a large contingent of people out there that A) are hugely interested in Vietnam-era warbirds and B) are going to be willing to pay $35 for admission (per person) and $15 to park (for one car) with the current lineup.

I think that a lot of people, at this point in the summer, will be looking at the (incorrect) information listed on Thunder's website and deciding whether or not they want to to spend a weekend day at the airshow watching a collection of aircraft from a period of history that they probably can't relate to or whether they want to head down to the local ballpark and catch a baseball game.

I AGREE TO THIS COMMENT, THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS,

[michael luther]

Just added,

The Warbird Heritage Foundation's P-51D Mustang "Baby - Duck" & F-86F Sabre "Smokey"!

Just added,

The Warbird Heritage Foundation's P-51D Mustang "Baby - Duck" & F-86F Sabre "Smokey"!

Keep 'em coming, Michael! Outstanding additions to the lineup and a little Korean War and WWII warbird action to spread the wealth around.

And now we have THREE Jets in the lineup..........Vietnam/Cold War Era F-100 and A-4, and Korean War/Cold War Era F-86!

The aircraft list on the web site has been updated with the 40 aircraft currently booked showing. Not a bad list at all!



http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/aircraft-list

[Boeing666]

What happened to B-17 Chuckie that was originally booked for the show?

I know what you are talking about with that 2006 Thunder show and all the Skyraiders canceling. There was some sort of front that went through that screwed things up, just like in 2008 also. If you get storms on Thursday in Michigan then anything coming from the south or east Friday often doesn't show up. There were also supposed to be a lot more Spitfires in 2006 like 7-8, but only 2 showed up also.


I still say we need an OV-1 for this Vietnam battle. Dr. Joe Masessa is going to be at OSH the week before, grab him on the way back down to Florida.

http://mohawkairshows.com/calendar.html

[kalamazookid]

What happened to B-17 Chuckie that was originally booked for the show?

I know what you are talking about with that 2006 Thunder show and all the Skyraiders canceling. There was some sort of front that went through that screwed things up, just like in 2008 also. If you get storms on Thursday in Michigan then anything coming from the south or east Friday often doesn't show up. There were also supposed to be a lot more Spitfires in 2006 like 7-8, but only 2 showed up also.


I still say we need an OV-1 for this Vietnam battle. Dr. Joe Masessa is going to be at OSH the week before, grab him on the way back down to Florida.

http://mohawkairshows.com/calendar.html

Chuckie was sold to Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon.

[ktst97]

I am in agreement with Rob W and capt.grumpyly.
I just looked at the ticket ordering information, and immediately cancelled my motel reservations. Tickets are way too expensive for viewing the aircraft listed. I am aware of the problems dropped on this and other airshows, but I cannot afford to pay that much -- sorry to say, but my two pensions don't get enough COLA to cover things like this.
I'll have just that much more to make my longer trips to Memphis Airshow and the weekend of Great Georgia Air Show / Wings Over North Georgia more enjoyable.

[Xray]

You guys cancelling reservations and complaining the tickets are too much, really wish you'd just take the high road and bow out gracefully instead of whining and grandstanding.

[Boeing666]

Chuckie was sold to Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon.

When was this? like a few weeks ago? I saw it parked at New Smyrna Beach FL airshow in April and it was recently bought I thought from a company in North Carolina. I thought it was a California aircraft before and I thought good I will see this plane more but now that it is in Oregon I guess not.

You guys cancelling reservations and complaining the tickets are too much, really wish you'd just take the high road and bow out gracefully instead of whining and grandstanding.

AGREE - This lineup is about as good as you will see at any warbird show anywhere this year and is worth going to without a doubt. Unless you are really into WWII warbirds and just don't like the excellent variety of Post WWII/Cold War/Vietnam era aircraft showcased this year, or unless you truly cannot financially afford to go, this is truly a worthwhile air show event. I will be there Friday and Saturday with Sunday as a backup day.

I have no doubt that Planes of Fame/Chino, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Hamilton and Thunder Over Michigan are the 3 top warbird air shows in North America this year (Houston in October has a lot of potential too), and I look forward to Michigan next month.

Chuckie was sold to Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon.

When was this? like a few weeks ago? I saw it parked at New Smyrna Beach FL airshow in April and it was recently bought I thought from a company in North Carolina. I thought it was a California aircraft before and I thought good I will see this plane more but now that it is in Oregon I guess not.

Part of the big shake up with Jerry Yagen and the Military Aviation Museum. He bought Chuckie a couple of years or so back and brought it to Virginia Beach, Virginia from Texas. Now it has been sold again and has flown to Oregon just this past weekend.

Last edited by jwc50 on Thu Jul 04, 2013 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.