Warbird Information Exchange

Even IF the MiG-23 is not going to be part of the show, it appears that perhaps Randy Ball's MiG-17PF may now be in the performing lineup.

http://www.fighterjets.com/AirShowDates.aspx

The MiG-17PF with its distinctive nose intake radome was at Oshkosh for several days last week, but other than a departure before the end of the week (headed to Offutt AFB, NE I believe), I did not get a chance to see it flying there. While not exactly a satisfactory replacement for the unique MiG-23, Randy does put on a great show, and the MiG-17PF would be an exciting display. Perhaps we might be able to see it fly with Dean's F-100.

Michael Luther, Kevin Walsh and the rest of the Yankee Air Museum Thunder Over Michigan team, always do the best they can to give us a good warbird show, and fingers crossed that things will come together for another great one in 2 weeks.

Valid points Jim, cancellations are not the fault or lack of effort for the organizers.

They don't say "Schedule is subject to change" for no reason, lots of variables that can affect show or no show at a moments notice.
The RNAF snafu from 2 to 4 to 0 was a bit lame, that was something you'd think the F-16 operators would have foreseen.

well let's wait on Tom's confirmation that it canceled before we get too worked up. Might just be an error on the website.

If it did cancel, wouldn't be the first time the plane I was most looking forward to has canceled. Had that happen more than once with that ME-262, the Mossy the previous time (glad I got to see it last year) as well as a few others.

Probably the safest thing to do going forward is for air shows not to mention in advance which exotic or unusual aircraft they are inviting to a show. Wait, that won't work either! The organizers will then be heavily criticized for not telling the public up front about their plans. Geez, what's an air show organization to do? Your damned if you do and your damned if you don't. If anyone has an answer to this dilemma, I'd be glad to hear it.

Tom Walsh.

Even if the Mig-23 cacellend (which I hope it didn't, Really wanted to see that) There is still an incredible line-up of flying aircraft

F-22
Super Hornet
Breitling
F-100
Mig-17
2 hinds
2 hueys
2 cobras
OH-6

That alone is worth going. All the WWII warbirds are just a bonus!!

(btw..keep the mig-23 and add an F-4!!...just sayin )

Sean

Short answer: Don't worry about it.

Long answer: keep up the good work and don't worry about it as pleasing everyone doesn't exist. Pleasing those who appreciate and understand what all the guys do to put on a show, that exists. I'm one of em ...

All the best with the show ...

_________________
Zero Surprise!!...

Tom, it's a dilemma to which there is no good answer. Shows can only make and announce their best plans and hope for the best. Thunder Over Michigan has always done as well or better than almost any other air show in putting together and fielding a great lineup. Keep up the great work!

Yeah there are a lot of other good planes up there where it doesn't bother me if one of the exotics cancel. I learned not to go based on one particular aircraft but yeah the first time the ME-262 canceled back in 2010 (I think) I was really bummed. The second time it canceled was when that museum it was with canceled their whole group of planes, which I think included the ME-262, FW190, Mosquito, a P-51D, B-17 (Fuddy Duddy I think) and I think a Skyraider. No fault of Thunder but I think that was when that museum that owned the planes had some IRS issue or something.

Tom and the others do their best so they can't be to blame. Many times I have gone to Thunder where there was great weather (because a front just went through on Thursday) but that meant east of us was getting storms and planes coming from Virginia canceled because of the storms. Of course everything is dependent on weather. Last year I think might have been one of the best turnouts in terms of what was advertised (at least everything I wanted to see showed) but there was good weather. We never know until Friday how weather and other issues will effect stuff.

It doesn't just happen at Thunder

Look at the people that went to Oshkosh to see Doc.

We were supposed to get an F-18 demo at 3 Florida shows this year - TICO, MacDill and Sun N Fun and they all canceled because the F-18 demo team wasn't done training. I went to Sun N Fun also thinking that the F-35 was doing a heritage flight, which was advertised up until the day of the show and rumored it would fly with the F-22, P-51 and an F-86 however all we got was the F-22/P-51 heritage flight there. It happens everywhere. I will also be doing Cleveland when I am up nort where it was showing the F-35 as heritage flight, but now it isn't but the F-35 is showing still under flying aircraft so keeping my fingers crossed on that one but not holding my breath.

Don't think too many people went to Oshkosh this year to see Doc. It was clear well before the show that Doc wouldn't make it this year. Equivalent would be if the Martin Mars hadn't made it to Oshkosh. But there always was the chance that some last minute issue would have prevented it from making it. That would have been a huge disappointment, but these things can happen as we know.

And there was the case of Rod Lewis's A-20 Havoc. Many were looking forward to seeing it and it didn't make it.

I kind of was having my doubts on the Mars making it there at first. Between the A-20, Doc and the Mars if I were to guess which one wouldn't have made it, it would be the Mars.

Hopefully Doc and the A-20 can make it to Thunder next year. We are about due for a heavy WWII bomber themed show again I think and try and gather as many B-17s, or as many 4 engine props as possible - should be a Connie flying by then and the C-97 (that could come with the C-54 from the Berlin Airlift group)

I would love to see some of those airplanes at Thunder next year, but many you mentioned are probably more likely to be at Oshkosh in 2017 instead of Michigan. In fact over on the Oshkosh thread it has been mentioned that Rod Lewis is tentatively committed to another try to bring the A-20 to Wisconsin next year.

But always hope for some great Warbirds at Thunder!

Aircraft list updated today. Doubt that there will be any more updates.

A well rounded list. View at http://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/#

Cheers,

Tom Walsh.

Thanks Tom!

Depends when they have the show. If it is late August like the last couple of years, probably not. However a few times in years past they would have it a week before or after Oshkosh so a lot of the planes would stick around and come to Thunder or go to Thunder on the way to Oshkosh.

A lot of that depends on if they are getting a jet team or not. I personally am not huge on the jet teams at Thunder. I got nothing against the Jet Teams and I really love the Blue Angels, but I will be seeing them at Cleveland. I typically see both jet teams 2-3 times a year. But Jet Teams FILL THE VENUE and that means extra $$$$$ for the museum which is good too. My favorite years at Thunder were 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011 in terms of the aircraft. 2007 would have also been one of my favorites (all those B-25s) but that was the only show I missed since I started going in 2005.

Looks good. I can't wait. Less then 2 weeks!!!!

Sean