On August 6, 2005, Crew #1: The Royal Pains of Dexter, Michigan met up with Nomad Member Don Sokoloski for a fun filled day at Willow Run Airport. This was the grand daddy of manly events and if you missed it, you missed a historic milestone. Among all the fantastic WW2 aircraft were eight of the last remaining flyable B-17 Bombers in the world. Because of the age and condition of some of the bombers this possibly may never be repeated again. It was an absolute pleasure to be there and see it for ourselves.
(Above - Nomad member Don Sokoloski (left) and the Head Hard Hat (center) posed with several of the reenactment participants featured in Thunder Over Michigan. The B-17 Bomber "Liberty Bell" is in the background.) All photos by Andrew T. Smith and Scott Smith
(Thousands attended the event featuring one of the largest collections of WW2 airplanes anywhere. An added bonus included a flight demonstration of an A-10 Warthog to start off the air show. The B-17 Bomber "Sentimental Journey.")
(L to R - Nomad Foreman Scott Smith, Andy the HHH and Don Sokoloski standing in front of the famous "Memphis Belle". We were one of the first people on the airstrip and was able to see the Memphis Belle up close before the large crowds showed up. It was so amazing to see and touch a piece of history. Did you know that the nose art of Belle has two different colored outfits? One side shows her in red as pictured but the other side has her in blue.)
The WW2 air show was only a fraction of the activities we did at Thunder Over Michigan 2005. Dozens of military aircraft were on display to examine, enter or even ride. Reenactments that included actual aircraft and military weaponry filled the air with the sounds of battle. Oh and did we mention the food - oh yeah, "guy stuff".
Battle Reenactment
The battle started with the Axis in control of an American anti-tank gun. Here a patrol is guarding it with many men hidden in the chest high bean plants.
Apparently armed to the teeth they seemed to hold their new prize with relative ease.
Just above the tree lines an Axis plane buzzes by looking for Allied troopers reported in the area.
The Allied forces are indeed heading for the Axis patrol and they brought some fire power with them.
An Allied plane bombs the Axis patrol only to return several times for strafing runs and to take care of the Axis plane.
The battle only lasted minutes and not without some casualties. Ultimately the Allied forces were able to overpower the Axis patrol and recapture the anti-tank gun. A job well done boys.
Strolling Down Memory Lane
Nomad Foreman Scott Smith shown here flexing his err, muscles hoping to impress the tall blonde on the B-17 bomber "Sentimental Journey". Didn't have the heart to tell him that she was only nose art.
The Head Hard Hat shown here with a P-40 fighter and tiger shark nose art. This is his personal favorite since he was a kid. Of course the Mustang comes in a very close second.
Here is Don and Andy underneath the plane "Yankee Doodle Dandy. After the air show everyone went to a local Daemons Restaurant for food and libations. It was a spectacular event and all who attended now have memories that will last a lifetime. What more can you ask for doing "guy stuff"?
