If you are into Warbirds, then the annual Willow Run airshow is the place for you.  With the exception of a brief flyover by a Selfridge ANG F-16, there was no jet noise to be heard the whole day long.  But those piston-powered babies roared the whole day through.

This two-day event on August 9^th and 10^th featured a gathering of four B-17s.  The CWH Lancaster and the beautiful Collings Foundation B-24 Liberator rounded out the heavy bomber participants.  In the single engine category we were treated to all sorts of aircraft, such as: a P-40 Warhawk, a P-47 Thunderbolt, a P-51C Mustang (the Red Tail Tuskegee Airmen version), an F6F Hellcat, an AD-4 Skyraider (with full bomb load I might add), a couple of Corsairs and the very rare flying P-39 Airacobra (from the Commemorative Air Force collection).

One of the highlights for me was the P-38 Lightning (one of my all time favourites).  Watching it fly together with the Red Tail Mustang was awesome.  Another thrill that day (I went on the Sunday) was the air racer flight.  A Super Corsair, a Mustang and a Sea Fury buzzed around for several "laps".  What a great sound that made.  The Super Corsair was a fantastic red colour that absolutely glowed against the blue sky.

Almost everything that was on static display during the morning flew in the afternoon.  I commend the organizers and the participants for that.  So often you get to see some aircraft parked all day and others that are seconded to the flight line are off limits to pedestrians and only visible during their flying act.  The other great thing about Willow Run is the proximity of the taxi strip to the crowd.  You can almost reach out and touch the aircraft as they go out to and return from their aerial display.  Great for photos!  I would recommend this show to any and all lovers of things with propellers.

One final note.  "Thunder over Michigan" is a title meant to reflect the sounds of these great aircraft, not a method of describing the weather one should expect.  Though sunny for most of the day, it did, however, (as it has for all but one other airshow I have attended this year) manage to rain for a while in the late afternoon.  Ya pays your money and ya takes your chances.

A beautiful yellow air racing Hawker Sea Fury. This plane did not fly during the Sunday air race demonstration but sure looks like it would be fast.

The glorious red Super Corsair air racer waits to park after its demonstration.

My personal favourite - the P-38 Lightning. Oh, if only I had the money ...

After buzzin' around with the P-47 and P-51, the Lightning taxis back to base.

This B-17 was one of four that attended this year's show.  Here it's making altitude.

After one of the numerous flights through the day the B-17 rolls in for fuel and a change of passengers.  If only I had the $400.00 for a flight (and them is $US!).

A profile shot of the B-24 as it rises from take-off.  The famous "Dragon and His Tail" nose art on this baby goes right to the tail.

The B-24 taxis in after a great performance.  Unfortunately, the crewman behind the pilot popped up every time the plane taxied past the crowd.  Was he helping the pilot taxi straight or did he just want to spoil my photos ?

A rare bird was this Military Air Transport Command C-121 Constellation.

A B-25 Mitchell makes a solo flight.