Thunder Over Michigan 2010: A Fast Flight Back In Time
By Mike Heilman
Texas Raider was one of the eight B-17Gs to fly at the Thunder Over Michigan air show. (Mike Heilman)The ramp is full of B-17s waiting to launch for their next mission. It sounds like August 1944, but it is August 2010. There were eight B-17G Flying Fortresses that took part in the Yankee Air Museum’s 12th annual air show, “Thunder over Michigan.” The two-day event was held Aug. 7-8 at the Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
The theme for this year’s show was “Gathering of Fortress & Legends.” Show organizers billed the event as the world’s largest gathering of World War II heavy bombers and veteran aircrew and maintainers since the end of the war. The B-17, B-24 and B-25 heavy bombers all were a part of the show. Also, the show hosted several former World War II crewmembers. The veterans were available for air show spectators to meet and thank for their service.
Aluminum Overcast is owned and operated by the EAA Aviation Foundation. (Mike Heilman)There are only 12 remaining flyable B-17’s left in the United States and eight of them attended “Thunder over Michigan.” B-17’s attending the show were Yankee Museum Yankee Lady, EAA Aviation Foundation Aluminum Overcast, Lone Star Flight Museum Thunderbird, Military Aircraft Restoration Corp. The Movie Memphis Bell, Commemorative Air Force (CAF)-Gulf Coast Wing Texas Raiders, CAF -Arizona Wing Sentimental Journey, Liberty Foundation Liberty Belle and Collins Foundation Nine-0-Nine.
A WWII battle reenactment with ground and armor forces from the European Theater opened up the show. The battle included tanks, half-tracks and other weapons from World War II. The battle also included simulated strafing runs from a P-51B. The battle was “fought” twice during the show.
The flying portion of the show began with the B-17G Yankee Lady dropping a member of the Misty Blue Parachute Team from the bomb bay with the American flag.
The Horseman Aerobatic Team performed in their P-51 Mustangs. The team members are Jim Beasley Jr., Ed Shipley and Dan Friedkin.
The United States Air Force Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team flew an impressive show. Demonstration pilot Captain Ryan “Rider” Corrigan showed the crowd the capabilities of highly maneuverable fighter. Corrigan is also an F-16 instructor pilot with the 20th Fight Wing, Shaw Air Force Base. The F-16 was joined by two P-51s, from The Horseman, to perform the “Heritage Flight.” Also an Air Force B-52 made one pass at the show.
The “Screamin Rebels” AT-6 “Texan” aerobatic team and five Canadian Harvard CHAA (AT-6) flyby in a nine-ship formation. The two groups made two passes in front of the large crowd at the 2010 Thunder over Michigan air show at the Willow Run Airport near Detroit. (Mike Heilman)The “Screamin Rebels” T-6 formation aerobatic team were joined by five Canadian Harvard CHAA (Canadian version of T-6 Texan) to perform a nine ship fly-by of the T-6 Texan. The nine-ship formation made a couple of passes and then the two teams split. The “Screamin Rebels” then performed with their team’s normal four T-6 Texans.
Dan Cutshall flew his North American F-100F Super Sabre. The two-seat F-100F was built as a trainer, but it also was used as a SAM suppression and as a forward air controller. The Super Sabre entered service in 1954 and 339 F-100Fs were delivered by 1959.
The highlight of the show was the mass take-off of the eight B-17 Flying Fortresses. The eight B-17Gs made several passes over the air show, with a P-51 flying top cover. Also a B-24J Liberator Witchcraft joined the Flying Fortress during the heavy bomber demonstration. Three of the B-17s and the P-51 flew a missing man tribute to closeout the warbird portion of the show.
Air Show veteran John Mohr flew an impressive routine in his 1943 PT-17 Stock Stearman. Mohr has been flying at air shows for more than 25 years. The United States Navy F/A-18C East Coast Demonstration Team closed out the show with a high performance demonstration of Hornet. The F/A-18C team from VFA-106 is located at NAS Oceana, VA.
There were more than 60 aircraft on static display at the show. Warbirds on static included the P-51B, C and Models. Also B-25D and J models, C-47D, DC-7B, T-28C and C-45 were on static display. There were two F-16Cs from 187th FW, Alabama Air National Guard Base (ANGB) and two A-10s form the 122nd FW at Selfridge, ANGB.
Willow Run airport is home to the Yankee Air Museum. The museum’s flying aircraft include the B-17G Yankee Lady, B-25D Yankee Warrior, C-47 Yankee Doodle Dandy and V-77 Yankee Friendship. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information visit the museum website at yankeeairmuseum.org. The Blue Angels are the headliners for Yankee Museum’s 2011 air show scheduled for July 23-24, 2011.
