Willow Run, Ypsilanti Michigan, Air Show

**WVA** · #1 08-08-2014, 06:16 PM

When WWII ended, I was 10 years old, and on my bedroom wall were probably 200 or more pictures of airplanes from magazines and other sources. And I could name them all! Most of them, I still can – in photos or real.

So, this afternoon, over my house at pattern altitude, came a formation of a P-38, a P-47, and three P-51’s, on their way to Willow Run airport for this weekend’s air show. Talk about exciting!

I plan to attend tomorrow, and will post some photos. One of the events is being called the “Texan Take Over”, because 30 AT-6’s are expected. And for the unusual, how about a Stearman with a jet engine attached? Should be fun.

**WVA** · #2 08-09-2014, 03:24 PM

Administrator: Can this category be changed to Aviation??? JIm

**smsuski** · #3 08-10-2014, 05:50 PM

Hi, I was at my sons house on saturday and seen the B-17 fly over, a Huey Cobra and the Thuderbirds in diamond formation while driving on I-94.
Always want to go, but other things come up.

**WVA** · #4 08-11-2014, 08:54 AM

Some photos from the airshow: The major attraction was the Air Force Thunderbirds. Second attraction was the gathering of AT-6's, 29 showed up.

**WVA** · #5 08-11-2014, 09:03 AM

My favorite planes at an airshow are the vintage and WWII ones. In addition to the AT 6's, an attraction was a jet powered Waco! Fast, hovering, and very noisy! Then there was the P-47, the Airacobra, and a P-38.

**WVA** · #6 08-11-2014, 09:13 AM

I didn't get home with a program, so I don't know the owner of most of these. Only three Mustangs here, and two Avengers. Boy, those are big! The B-25 belongs to the Yankee Airforce (Willow Run),the B-17 is a visitor. The C-47 is a Yankee Airforce plane, the next B-25 as well as the Harpoon(?) are visitors.

**WVA** · #7 08-11-2014, 09:21 AM

The Black Knights parachute team made a mass jump to the delight of the crowd! One of only two flying B-24's. The Ford Willow Run factory was turning out one of these an hour near then end of the war, although not this one. Now the factory is being torn down, save a corner which will become the Yankee Airforce hanger and museum. Also, a few AT-6 photos.

**WVA** · #8 08-11-2014, 09:32 AM

Too many T-6's to post all! There was also a military demo, with many vehicles, including the jeep (I have one of these...but under restoration), trucks including this monster (maybe Don can fill us in on what this is!). Also, we had a re-enactment of a tank battle, with 5 Stuart tanks, vs. a German tank (small, I don't know the designation). I couldn't make my way to the fence, so had to take photos over the heads of spectators.

**rickstef** · #9 08-11-2014, 09:41 AM

The 4 axle truck is the HET, Heavy Equipment Transporter
new version of the Dragon Wagon

**WVA** · #10 08-11-2014, 09:42 AM

I always find the support equipment worthy of attention.The airforce didn't have the only Thunderbirds at the show! A show of Ford Thunderbirds must have had 30 or more on display.

There was a fund raising table for the Yankee Air Force, and one of the deals was to have your photo taken with Rosie the Riveter. As most know, Rosie was the Poster Girl during WWII for women going to work to support the war effort. At a previous event, some 800 women, dressed as Rosie, set a Guinness World Record. The museum has raised most of the eight million dollars needed to buy the corner of the old bomber plant, and make it into a museum.

Then, there is the strongest man at the airshow! Hand stacking 500 pound bombs by himself!

The end.