Thunder Over Michigan goes for world record....8 B-17's!!

michael luther · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:38 pm

Thier is 11 B-17s that are flyable at this point in time. Two over seas, nine in north america, the only one left to come to Thunder would be Bob Ponds airplane, but they say they are not interested, Thunder is to far away.

But we will live with 8 out of 9.

Dennis Bergstrom · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:53 pm

michael luther wrote:

Thier is 11 B-17s that are flyable at this point in time. Two over seas, nine in north america, the only one left to come to Thunder would be Bob Ponds airplane, but they say they are not interested, Thunder is to far away.

But we will live with 8 out of 9.

Does anyone know the status of EAA's "Aluminum Overcast"? I had heard that they were working hard to have her ready for AirVenture Oshkosh 2005.

Dennis

michael luther · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:28 pm

Dennis Bergstrom wrote:

michael luther wrote:

Thier is 11 B-17s that are flyable at this point in time. Two over seas, nine in north america, the only one left to come to Thunder would be Bob Ponds airplane, but they say they are not interested, Thunder is to far away.

But we will live with 8 out of 9.

Does anyone know the status of EAA's "Aluminum Overcast"? I had heard that they were working hard to have her ready for AirVenture Oshkosh 2005.

Dennis

Dennis, The EAA staff say it will not be untill early next year, they have found some more damange that was not seen before.

Dennis Bergstrom · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:35 pm

Thanks, Michael.

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:53 pm

Hmmmm,

Shame Overcast isn't quite "there" yet. I wonder what that additional damage was ?

And as long as we are talking B-17's here.....what is the status on Texas Raiders ?? How far along are they to putting her back together from the Wing AD inspection ??

Paul

RickH · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:58 pm

Fuselage is in an unused old hangar at Hobby. Wings are in another hangar as is the vertical.

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:08 am

Yes,

But is any of the AD work being carried out and if so how far along are they ?? I guess it is my own impatience when it comes to seeing things get done <grin>. No offense intended .....Thank you for the reply,

Paul

mjanovec · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 11:50 am

In looking at the Thunder Over Michigan page, I noticed that "Fifi" is now looking less likely to attend (or there is at least some doubt) due to maintenance issues. Hopefully it can make it, especially considering the important anniversary that will take place during the 2005 airshow.

Another thing I noticed is that DVDs of the 2005 show will be produced and are available for pre-order ($20 plus $5 shipping). What a great idea! It sounds like the perfect souvenir for a great weekend. Heck, I'd even order one if wasn't attending...

My only recommendation (if any Thunder Over Michigan staff are reading this) is to request that the video production company NOT put music over the sound of the warbirds. A little intro/outro music is fine, along with narration in selected places. But the best thing is to let the warbirds speak for themselves whenever possible...especially with engine start-ups and fly-overs. I saw another warbird video production once where they decided to put generic music over the flight sequences, completely ruining the effect. I think we can all agree that we'd rather listen to radial engines than some music that sounds like it came from a corporate training film.

Just a thought!

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:26 pm

mjanovec..A-fargin-men..to the request for "no music" overdubs!! The
videos last month of the La Ferte Alais were PERFECT in recording the
sweet sounds of the DB-605,Hispano and Merlin..only to be marred, and
in some instances ruined by the constant yammering of the French
commentator!!! :evil:

Those people need to take a lesson from the golf
MC's.

What was the Warbird TV show hosted by Chuck Yeager years ago...
where EVERY time the Warbird flight had it's turn to "speak" they
overdubbed it with crappy, chukka-chukka guitar music? Arrrgghhhh!!!!!

TOM is a good chance to record a huge gathering of the radials as well
as other sounds. I've stated before..I hope they get some "top shelf"
recording and video equipment there in order to best document this
event!

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:30 pm

If the producers of this video are listening I would suggest doing something like the option of turning on a director's commentary like the commercial movie DVDs provide. The commentator could yammer away on this secondary soundtrack, and the enthusiasts could turn it off to hear the cool sounds clearly.

Mike

michael luther · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:18 pm

Aircraft Mech Paul wrote:

Hmmmm,

Shame Overcast isn't quite "there" yet. I wonder what that additional damage was ?

And as long as we are talking B-17's here.....what is the status on Texas Raiders ?? How far along are they to putting her back together from the Wing AD inspection ??

Paul

I was told the additional damage was found when they removed one of the engines for use on NWM aircraft.

Texas Raiders, from what I have been told second hand from our B-17 crew was that work has slowed and it will be two or more years still.

michael luther · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:28 pm

As for the video, Kevin is the one to make the call. :wink:

Todd Hackbarth · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:01 pm

michael luther · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:43 pm

Todd: whats the story on the B-23 listed on the HAG air show site?

michael luther · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:23 pm

never mind todd.

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Thunder Over Michigan goes for world record....8 B-17's!!

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