Warbird Information Exchange

I just checked out the Schultz website and it shows the Blue Angels are scheduled for Ypsilanti, MI on July 7-8!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

http://www.schultzairshows.com/

The Blue Angels are also due at Salinas, CA on 29-30 September. Shame I'll be elsewhere that weekend. Lots of P-51s where I'll be, though! And the Thunderbirds too.

I can't wait for TOM and the Blues! I think this is the year I'm really going to try and make it! Can't wait for future updates!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

While I don't personally care about having a team like the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds at an event like Thunder Over Michigan which to me is entirely about warbirds, I think this is a positive for the Yankee Air Museum - it should be a draw that will bring in more typical public spectators and should mean more money.

As long as it doesn't reduce the number and variety of warbirds coming to the show and flying in the show (and I don't think it will), than this should be a good thing.

As a "downside," expect more traffic headaches on Saturday and Sunday.



Jim C.

I also think this is a wonderful opportunity for YAM. This will draw people who never thought about going to Thunder before. I don't think it affect turn out either. I just wanted to see what everyone thinks!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

I am Curious as to how they will set up the acro box. I had heard in the past that the reason the TOM show never had a big acro act had to do with the proximity of Willow Run to the big airport down the road. Apparently the restricted airspace of the two overlaps and so in the past they couldn't get the necessary airspace.

This is great news if it means Detroit is giving them better support for the show

I think this will change the airshow dramatically and, in part, in ways not to my personal liking. I avoid airshows that feature the Blues or T-birds because of what they do to the traffic, crowd line proximity, security, and behavior of the spectators. That's why I haven't seen either team in action for over 15 years.

However, I'm prepared to support TOM and make an exception this time, especially because I figure this should increase, rather than decrease, the warbird turnout. The organizers can reliably forecast much more revenue from gate receipts and probably from sponsors, and perhaps they'll write more checks to bring warbirds to the show. Such as, for example, the check they couldn't write last year to have the Lanc participate fully; and I'm sure those guys have a long wish list of warbirds they couldn't bring in the past because the money wasn't there. So the whole thing will be more hassle but could be well worth it.

Regarding support from Detroit, it occurs to me that the new dates put this show within the time frame of the International Freedom Festival, a joint celebration between Detroit and Windsor, Ont., that centers on Canada Day and Independence Day. The Freedom Festival used to include an airshow; when I was a kid, it took place over the Detroit River. I don't think it has had one in recent years. Maybe TOM could get itself some kind of official or quasi-official status as the Freedom Festival's airshow in 2007. That would lead to some more free/cheap publicity and news coverage, as well as civic support from the communities.

Of course, they'll then have to invite as many Canadian aircraft as possible to make the show truly international. Not that I have an agenda or anything.

August

AHH yes the Freedom Fest. Brings back memories of Jerry Billing looping the Ambassador Bridge in Spitfire MK923.

Good times

Dave C

Dave--

Uh? That sounds like it wants to be a painting...got any more detail about Jerry B looping the bridge??

S. (500 posts and counting; time flies!)

Tell you what. We'll allow the Blue's at TOM on the condition that they indulge us with the following heritage flight:

http://www.hsgalleries.com/gallery04/bl ... htdt_1.htm

(Of course the Tiger and Couger may be a long shot. )

Well,... I know who could fill two of the slots !

What, no Cutlass!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

...this should increase, rather than decrease, the warbird turnout. The organizers can reliably forecast much more revenue from gate receipts and probably from sponsors, and perhaps they'll write more checks to bring warbirds to the show. Such as, for example, the check they couldn't write last year to have the Lanc participate fully; and I'm sure those guys have a long wish list of warbirds they couldn't bring in the past because the money wasn't there. So the whole thing will be more hassle but could be well worth it.

Exactly right! I'd rather it be a warbird-only show, but holy cow, now the YAM guys can go to big league sponsors, tell them the Blues are coming--something non-aviation marketing execs can understand--and get lots more sponsorship $$. Banks make good sponsors--saw that at a smallish airshow last summer that had Heritage flight, warbirds and a handful of flip-flop acts. I'm told they made a profit before the first soul walked through the gates. I think the positives the Blues create are worth the negative side-effects.

Well I think the only thing that getting the Blue Angels means is that the organizers of TOM should be required to get the Blue Angels Bearcat at the show and have a Blue Angels Heritage Flight.

I can wish, right

No Problem there- assuming you have a spair 2 mill lying around doing nothing I am sure the good folks at Courtesy could get you set up.