THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013?

[michael luther]

We would like to ask everyone what overall show theme and theme aircraft gathering you would like to see for THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2013?

Last edited by michael luther on Mon Oct 08, 2012 5:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Jeff H]

Fighter meet. Break it down into major combat eras and fly fighters all day.

Cheers,

Jeff

[kalamazookid]

Korean War. It's the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korea, those veterans aren't getting any younger, and they haven't ever gotten their due. It's time. The Horseman in F-86s would make a great headliner. Throw in a MiG-15 or a T-33 demo and some F4U-4/5s flying with a Skyraider or two and you have a good Korean show segment. The entire show doesn't have to be Korea, but it would make for a nice theme. If ever there was a year to do it, I would think the 60th anniversary of the end of the conflict would be a good year to do it. It would be nice to see a major airshow finally pay tribute to the vets of Korea.

[TOM WALSH]

The American, British, German and Russian Fighters of WW II.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[Warbird Kid]

The American, British, German and Russian Fighters of WW II.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

No Japanese?

I agree with Kalamazookid/Matt that a Korean War theme would be very appropriate. A gathering of AD/A-1 Skyraiders and/or A-26/B-26 Invaders would be great support for this theme.

I also like the idea of The Horsemen and the 3-ship F-86 Sabre team. I know jets are expensive, but as many F-86, T-33, MiG-15, etc. aircraft that can be obtained would be outstanding.

Thanks for asking us Michael, and I look forward to next year's show.

[K5DH]

Korean War theme! Definitely!!! There are many still-flying types that participated in the action:

US Air Force:
P-51 Mustang
A-26 Invader
B-29 Superfortress
F-86 Sabre
T-33 Shooting Star (stand-in for F-80?)
LT-6G Texan
O-1 Bird Dog
L-17 Navion
C-47 Skytrain
C-54 Skymaster
HU-16 Albatross
Any C-119s still flying?

US Navy:
F-4U Corsair
AD Skyraider
TBM Avenger
PB4Y Privateer
(too bad no F9F's still flying!)

US Army:
Bell 47 helicopter

UK:
Sea Fury

"The Opposition":
MiG-15
Sturmovik
PO-2 biplane (are there any on this side of the pond?)

[Warbird Kid]

You think the B-24/B-29 Squadron would put temporary vinyl red decal bars over the B-29's insignias?

[fritzthefox]

Another vote for Korea.

[TOM WALSH]

Yes, Japan as well.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[Warbird Kid]

Yes, Japan as well.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

Well then you'd call it "Axis & Allies" after the popular game of course....

[k5083]

Any theme that provides an excuse to invite the Mosquito works for me.

My personal favorite would be the "Rarer than Hens' Teeth British Aircraft" theme. Mosquito, Seafire XV, Seafire 47, Swordfish, Lanc, Lysander.

August

[Steve Nelson]

Of course this is just my selfish, personal bias..but I'd love a Heavy Bombers theme, with Fifi/Diamond Lil and the Collings bombers flying together.

For the general public, Korea might prove more popular though. I kinda like the idea of adding temporary red stripes to Fifi's insignia..maybe they could even add "United States Air Force" to the fuselage and "USAF" to the wings. Probably kind of expensive to do for just one show though.

SN

[BK]

Any theme that provides an excuse to invite the Mosquito works for me.

My personal favorite would be the "Rarer than Hens' Teeth British Aircraft" theme. Mosquito, Seafire XV, Seafire 47, Swordfish, Lanc, Lysander.

August

Yes, a RAF vs. Luftwaffe theme with the above. Yagen said he would be bringing the Mossie to major shows in the US next year. He could also bring his Spit, Hurri, JU-52, 190 and 262 if he can find enough pilots.

My standby "Thunderbolt and Lightning" P-47/P-38 gathering. A Korean War theme sounds good with a mix of but more props than jets.

My concern is with Oshkosh running into the first week in August it might prevent some aircraft attending Thunder if the show is at it's normal time. Are the 2013 Thunder dates set yet?

[cooper9411]

With my selfish ways I would say P-40's!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or a Korean war theme, I think would be spectacular being there are many types of aircraft from that era still flying!!!!