THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2015

[FAR148]

Another great Thunder over Michigan. Here's my first batch of images, a mix bag of both saturday and sunday show.


























More to come!
Steven L

[Xray]

Nice pics guys, keep em coming.
I'm strictly visual, but am contemplating going into photography some day.

[chico]

-I saw some folks complaining on FB that the Lanc wasn't "on display" Sunday. They had an engagement following Thunder and opted for an airshow departure. They (and the Mossie) discussed getting towed back to the crowd, but realistically they'd have gotten hooked up, moved to the crowd, sat for twenty minutes or so, then would've had to be taken right back out to leave before the TFR's went into place for Viper & the Blues.

-The "flip flop" arrangement, while not perfect from a crowd perspective, is actually better for the warbirds themselves. As part of the airport reconfiguration, what used to be runway 9R/27L is taxiway hotel now. It's jokingly called the world's widest (160ft) taxiway. Sending the heavies (or anything else for that matter) out this ramp cuts way down on their taxi time from the north end (motoring around at 15mph doesn't help radial engines, especially when it's pushing 90 degrees like it was this past weekend). All the space on hotel also means that one monkey doesn't stop the show if someone has a mechanical issue. We'll have plenty of room to shift people around and keep the show as close to on schedule as an airshow can be.

On two final, personal notes.....

-The aircrews that came to Thunder were to a man (or woman) a fantastic group. Lots of great folks who made Yankee look great by putting on great shows in the air, and by being super accommodating on the ground.

-The backside of a JU-52 oil cooler air scoop leaves a nice welt on your forehead if you stand up & turn around at the wrong time....

[Xray]

Interesting points - Lanc didn't make an airshow departure though, it left about 5:30 along with 3 B-25's.

[FAR148]

Lets switch speeds, How about some static display images.














Back to the Air









My favorite shot for the weekend.







Steven L

[marine air]

The organizers did an amazing job. WHen has there been a better selection of flyable bombers? Worlds only flyable PB4Y, B-29, Mosquito( flown regularly), and one of two Lancasters. A-26's are also rare attendees, they usually get cut in favor of more Mustangs. Lots of great B-25's and others. It's now on my bucket list to attend next year!

[Pogo]

The organizers did an amazing job. ... It's now on my bucket list to attend next year!

Good call. And my hat is off to you photographers who post to WIX -- you'll never know how much it is appreciated!!

[Zac Yates]

And my hat is off to you photographers who post to WIX -- you'll never know how much it is appreciated!!

Seconded! There are some fantastic images here and I'm loving every new post.

[TOM WALSH]

Fighter and Attack aircraft of WW II, Korea and Vietnam would be a great theme for Thunder to embrace in 2016, following on the highly successful Bombertown salute employed this year. Just saying.

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

[Nathan]

Hi Tom,

Make next year a cold war theme and I'll even donate for the dang show.

I could haul a chunk of HUP Retriever for display if interested.

[Rob W]

I believe 2015 provided one of the most interesting lineups that I've ever seen at Thunder Over Michigan. A very enjoyable afternoon of warbirds and the occasional jet...



























More here.

Thanks for looking!

Cheers,
Rob

[Pogo]

I don't know much about Lancs - how do the nose guns move in az? Looks like they're stuck in elevation only, in a greenhouse and not a turret? But I must surely be wrong...??

[martin_sam_2000]

I don't know much about Lancs - how do the nose guns move in az? Looks like they're stuck in elevation only, in a greenhouse and not a turret? But I must surely be wrong...??

It is a turret. Just a weirdly shaped one. has a mostly flat back and the sides swing into the fuselage when it turns.

Here is a shot of one that is turned to one side for comparison:


Sean

[Zac Yates]

Great photos, Rob! I particularly like the one of Attu Warrior, the Corsair and of FiFi landing. Great juxtaposition on that one.

[Pogo]

Very interesting - thanks Sean!