Thunder Over Michigan 2008

I ended up going to this year's event despite the fact that I was disappointed with the show from last year. What can I say... I can't stay away from airplanes. The organizers decided to put the aircraft back on the east ramp at Willow Run and so the show returned to its "classic" layout. In a strange (or maybe purposeful) move, the organizers moved the string of food vendors so that they were between the aircraft and the area set aside for viewing the flying part of the show.

There were some new visitors, I had not seen Tarheel Hal before, so I snapped a pic.


This was one of several Pacific Theater Warbirds present.


The guest that caused the biggest stir was this BF-109 from the Russell Aviation Group. There was a line just to take pictures of the cockpit.


I took a picture of this half-track because it is owned by a friend of mine, and I helped out with the nose art on his vehicle which he named "Mother Duce".

The show was enjoyable, parking and admission prices are still a bit steep until you remind yourself that the you are helping to rebuild the Yankee Air Museum. The US Navy F/A-18 demonstration was cut short by an engine flame-out during his Split-S maneuver. Some very brave paratroopers did a re-enactment by jumping out of a pair of C-47's. The most enjoyable part of the show is simply the sounds that old warbirds make, and I hope they remain flyable for a very long time.