Warbird Information Exchange

I have to admit that the announced "theme aircraft" for 2014 has left me a little underwhelmed.

But considering the overall theme of the USAAF in WWII is so broad and that the Thunderbirds appearance should guarantee more revenue to attract a broad cross section of warbirds to the show, I am still very much looking forward to the show.

And a VERY large flyover of T-6/SNJ aircraft would be interesting. And with this theme aircraft, a T-6 warbird aerobatic demo and perhaps a 4+ ship T-6 team (in lieu of any non-warbird civilian aerobatics) would be nice. If there has to be any civilian type non-warbird aircraft single ship aerobatic performers at the show it would be very nice to limit it to ONE of these in 2014.

Look forward to the show in 7+ months.

Could be fun.

It would be nice to see some of the really top-drawer T-6, SNJ and Harvard restorations gathered together.

Consider awarding a prize for the best. Maybe best T-6, best SNJ, best Harvard. Best souped-up pseudo NA-50/P-64? From an event this prominent, it could carry some prestige.

Try to attract some rare variants. Yales, SNJ-2s (invite the Skytypers), etc.

Get together some painted in different countries' markings and have a Parade of Nations that Flew the T-6 flyby. Educate the announcer (if that is possible) to talk about how many each nation flew and in what years.

Even the Tora team would (mostly) qualify to attend!

August

I'd like to see the Super Six powered by a P&W 1830. http://youtu.be/Z6KOsq3tn2k

$50 (one person, one vehicle on the day of - don't tell me about advanced ticket purchases; can you predict the weather on August 9-10?) for a T-6 themed show? For real?

Give us a Mosquito and then we'll be talking! ...oh, wait.

To be fair, the Mossie was completely out of their control. Not like the airshow team can predict when an organization is going to ground its aircraft out of the clear blue. I'm with you on the price though. For $50 walk-up, there better be something a little more exciting than the T-chicks and a bunch of T-6s. Pretty hard to justify when other major warbird shows charge $20 and have more warbirds. I'd get advance tickets for the discount, but after last year's rainout at the MAM show I'm a little hesitant to do that again.

_________________
Matt

Don't they do something like that up in Wisconsin the month before?

I look at it this way. This past year theme was the UH-1 Huey and only one showed up.

Look I love the sound of a T-6 radial engine, I would love to see some fly into my hometown GA airport I work at in Orlando. If I wasn't already going to be in Michigan though in August to take care of some stuff with my parents, I wouldn't bother coming up.

So many other themes we could have gone with

DDay - 70th Anniversary - and make it a C-47 theme, try to get a huge gathering of C-47s (and DC-3s), other DDay aircraft like P-51s, B-17s, Lancaster, B-24, P-40s etc.

Korean War - still remains the forgotten war at Thunder


I am really hoping in 2015 REALLY REALLY Try for a nice parade of flight of WWII aircraft for the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Try to get EVERY flyable type of WWII plane to the show... start calling and arranging for the 2015 show. Hell I would pay a $100 entrance fee and take the most expensive flight between MCO-DTW for that.

To be fair, remember the theme of Thunder 2014 is the "U.S. Army Air Forces in WWII," not the T-6 Texan. And the theme for 2013 was "The Vietnam War," not the UH-1 Huey. The Texan and Huey are Theme aircraft which is different. Yes, one Huey showing up was kind of a bust, like when one Skyraider showed up in 2006. But in effect the Skyraider became the "theme aircraft" for 2013 with 4 showing up of an original planned 6.

D-Day would be a great theme, but with the USAAF in WWII theme, I suspect we will see a large number of the aircraft that participated in June 6, 1944.

And I do agree that the Korean War is a forgotten theme at Thunder and many air shows. My hope is that someday we will see a Korea theme at thunder with Sabres as a theme aircraft.

I think Thunder 2014 will be an excellent show! I have already purchased my Taxiway Photography and Photo Tour/Photo Pit tickets.

Theme show, theme aircraft...don't the two kind of go hand-in-hand?



Agreed. Love the Sabre.



Do share your photos with us following the show. That's an order.

Theme show, theme aircraft...don't the two kind of go hand-in-hand?

[quote]

Yes, they do. But I would point point out that Thunder usually does an excellent job with signing up great vintage warbirds way beyond the theme aircraft and even beyond the overall theme itself. Two examples are 2005 and 2010 both years in which the B-17 was a theme aircraft and in which 8 each showed up. My favorite warbird from 2005 was Rich Sugden's FJ-4B Fury and my favorite from 2010 was Dean Cutshall's F-100F Super Sabre.

I will do my best to follow the show up with photos, but I know that there are many great photographers that will post memorable photos here and on other forums.

Wasn't 2006 a "double" theme aircraft - Skyraider and the Spitfire - only one Skyraider and 2 Spitfires, but weather out east prevented a lot from coming in.

To be honest the T-6 is practically the theme aircraft every year - Thunder always has 4-10 T-6s, SNJs, Harvards at a time there, more show up than the "theme aircraft" most years.

The plane has a great sound and I understand its importance. This past year is the first year I think I been there without the big formations of T-6s/Harvards and the SNV that are usually there. I really hope that isn't the headlining act though. T-6s are still too common I think for many to want to travel to see the show.

First 2014 participate,

Tony Buechler's P-51D Mustang "PETIE 2nd".

_________________
Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

GREAT start to the 2014 Thunder warbird lineup, Michael! Keep up the good work.

Just added,

The Warbird Heritage Foundation's F-86F Sabre "Smokey"!

_________________
Michael Luther
Yankee Air Museum's
Air Show Director
THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN

Outstanding, Michael! A Sabre is always a welcome addition to the vintage warbird lineup! Keep 'em coming.