Thunder over Michigan Air Show 2011

The rain did not last long and helped to cool down the Ypsilanti's Willow Run Airport for the 2011 edition of the Thunder over Michigan Air Show which ran July 23 and 24 in Michigan, USA. The airport was chock full of vintage and serving military aircraft including the VTOL MV-22 Osprey with its two huge propellers that rotate and allow forward or upward flight. The Blue Angels were the star of the show this year but there were also a lot of other stars at the event.

The airshow is fantastic for what you can see on the ground and what you can see overhead as the planes scream by along the runways. You could also see the Belleville Re-enactor Parade and the European Battle Theatre engagement just before the airshow began. Some of the serving planes were painted in their World War II squadron colours.

See more planes after the jump.

Thunder over Michigan WWII Re-enactment

The Thunder over Michigan Airshow included a large camp of World War II re-enactors and their equipment and weapons. On Saturday, July 23 they staged a re-enactment of the European Theatre of Battle as the Americans fought the Germans. A number of P-51 Mustangs passed right over the battle as smoke and weapons fire filled the air. Those pesky nazis lost.

The famous fighter makes a low level pass over the ground action.

The surviving German troops surrender to the Americans.

See more photos after the jump.

There were even a few Ruskies keeping guard.

Thunder over Michigan WWII Parade

The town of Belleville welcomed the military re-enactors from the Thunder over Michigan Airshow. The police honour guard led the parade as they moved from a park to the waterfront where four amphibious vehicles waited down at the docks. A number of planes flew overhead to help celebrate the parade and the coming of the airshow.

The soldiers marched from Main Street to Horizon Park and the parade was well attended.

The heavy downpour gets the Amphibious crew all wet.

See more pictures after the jump.

See more of the re-enactment battle on my post here.