Thunder Over Michigan 2010

[JDK]

We have just finished contacting all the flying B-17 operators...

...in the US? Or are you hoping for more? After all we know that Liberty Belle knows the way now...

We have just finished contacting all the flying B-17 operators, and will keep everyone posted as they confirm.

We look forward to seeing the growing list of planned B-17s as the confirmations come in.....

[Elroy13]

wow!!! This is the best news Ive heard in a long time!!!

The new issue of "Air Classics" magazine has the B-17 "Sentimental Journey" on the cover just to whet our appetites for next August.....

And Michael and Kevin: I had an idea as airplanes are lined up over the next several months, I wonder if there might be any chance of getting the Hawk One "Golden Hawks" Sabre to make a visit south of the border for the show. I have heard that it may continue flying next year after its 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight in Canada commemoration this year. If you could get this one along with the WHF F-86F, that would make a terrific Sabre duo for the jet warbird contribution to the lineup. Just a thought.

[kevin walsh]

The new issue of "Air Classics" magazine has the B-17 "Sentimental Journey" on the cover just to whet our appetites for next August.....

And Michael and Kevin: I had an idea as airplanes are lined up over the next several months, I wonder if there might be any chance of getting the Hawk One "Golden Hawks" Sabre to make a visit south of the border for the show. I have heard that it may continue flying next year after its 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight in Canada commemoration this year. If you could get this one along with the WHF F-86F, that would make a terrific Sabre duo for the jet warbird contribution to the lineup. Just a thought.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the suggestion.
No plans at this time to bring the VWoC Sabre but as you know the show and line up is very 'fluid' so I guess anything is possible.
Kevin

[dc8jet]

2010 is the 75th Anniversary of the DC-3/C-47. Any chance of bringing a few of them in to celebrate it?

[Tim Adams]

2010 is the 75th Anniversary of the DC-3/C-47. Any chance of bringing a few of them in to celebrate it?

I have heard tentative plans are to have over 30 at Oshkosh.

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the suggestion.
No plans at this time to bring the VWoC Sabre but as you know the show and line up is very 'fluid' so I guess anything is possible.
Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. I know you guys will put a TERRFIC warbird lineup together as always.

2010 is the 75th Anniversary of the DC-3/C-47. Any chance of bringing a few of them in to celebrate it?

I have heard tentative plans are to have over 30 at Oshkosh.

Tim - now you did it - I may HAVE to attend TOM and Oshkosh next year.

Wow!

[Trey Carroll]

It's pretty neat to see all of this heavy metal in the skies... But, frankly, this is allready been done, so what will set this apart from the last B-17 gathering?

T

[Warbird Kid]

Also, what is the rough idea for the reenactment battle? Will there be a battle?
If so, will it be located in front of the show line with bleachers like last year?

Or could we possibly see a return to the bean field?!
I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope...

[CH2Tdriver]

It's pretty neat to see all of this heavy metal in the skies... But, frankly, this is allready been done, so what will set this apart from the last B-17 gathering?

T

Well, frankly, why does it have to be any different? The sight of maybe 8 B-17's together isn't special enough? It will have been five years since the last gathering. Will there be another like this in another five years? Will there be any 8th AAF Vets around then? What if in five years the price of 100LL is up at $7/gal, would it be economical for the operators to attend? I for one applaud the folks at TOM for putting this together, and I will move heaven and earth to try and be there and not miss this one. I was not in a postition to make it to the last one. Some of us have jobs and families and can't just at the drop of a hat go chasing all over after warbirds. Add to that unlike some fortunate WIXr's whose spouse shares their passion, mine doesn't. "Why do you have to go to Columbus? You said you just saw four Mustangs at Geneseo?" I "paid" a lot more than the $150 round trip airfare to go to GOML. The best justification I can use is that I want to spend quality time with my dad, who I haul along. In five years it will be my son who I'll want to drag out there as he'll be eight, the age I got hooked. Will he get to see 8 B-17's then??

I fully appreciate that for you zipping around in that T-6, strapped into the back of a Mustang snapping pics of the others forming up on you may make this all seem rather dull, but............

I saw the last gathering of 8 B-17s in 2005, and while I would not be interested in going to a gathering of B-17s every year, I have no problem with this as a theme 5 years later. A lot of warbird fans will go to this show who couldn't make it in 2005. In addition we may even see more than 8 Flying Fortresses next year.

Another thing to remember is that the gathering of B-17s will be the major theme, but will NOT be the only warbirds at the show. In 2005 there were a lot of great warbirds in addition to the B-17s. One of the biggest highlights for me that year was Rich Sugden's FJ-4B Fury. I am a big fan of vintage jets and it was a very special opportunity for me to see that unique airplane.

TOM 2010 should be a terrific show.

[soko121]

can someone direct me to who might be organizing multiple DC-3's to OSH
thanks
Simon

[krlang]

Hmmm,
How about getting them a little time to practice formation stuff before the weekend?

Get em in there for Thursday, not Saturday morning.

I havent been to Ann Arbor since the last one, and this will probably bring me there again. Thanks guys.