This week we return to the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow with a look at more of what the show had to offer including the A-10 Warthog, Mike Goulian in his gorgeous Extra 330SC, the RCAF, USAF and some more vintage aircraft.

Once again, the US Air Force showed off some of its hardware with two A-10 Thunderbolts performing a few passes before landing. The A-10, affectionately known as the "Warthog," is an unusual aircraft in that it was built around its lethal 30mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon and wears twin turbofan engines. Designed for close air support for friendly ground troops and armoured vehicles and tanks, the A-10 has served its purpose extremely well and is a proven weapon. It has served, most effectively, in several conflicts including the Gulf War (known as Operation Desert Storm) as well as against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The A-10 has a maximum speed of 833km/h (450knots/520mph), cruise speed of 706km/h (300knots/340mph) and a service ceiling of 13,700m (45,000 ft).

Mike Goulian took to the skies to perform some heart stopping aerobatics in his Extra 330SC. Mike has been flying for more than 30 years and, at the age of 27, was one of the youngest pilots to win the US Unlimited Aerobatic Championship. He also competes in the Red Bull Air Races and has won many awards throughout his aviation career. His airshow aircraft, the Extra 330, has a maximum speed of 260mph with a roll rate of 420 degrees per second and a maximum G load of +12G's. It takes great skill and the fitness of a top athlete to compete at this level of flying and, at times, nerves of steel!

Another US Air Force appearance was made by two F-15 Strike Eagles that flew past in formation before breaking over the field for individual passes. The F-15 was designed and built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and is a twin engine, all weather tactical fighter aircraft. It first flew in 1972 and is still being produced today. It was introduced into the US Air Force in 1976 and is expected to see service with several different air forces for several more years. The Eagle has a top speed of 2,656km/h (1,650mph) at altitude or Mach 2.5 (Mach 1.2 at low altitude) with a service ceiling of 20,000m (65,000 ft) and a combat range in excess of 5,600km (3,500miles).

During breaks in airshow performers you would often see one of the Yankee Air Museum aircraft taking off on passenger flights. The Yankee Air Museum offers flights in their B-17, Yankee Lady, B-25 Mitchell, Yankee Warrior, C-47, Hairless Joe and their lovely Waco Biplane. Flights in these fabulous aircraft are available at airshows, aviation events and at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan year round. There is nothing like the experience of flight and taking a flight in a World War II era aeroplane is a thrill for young and old; seasoned pilots, novice pilots or non-pilots. Contact the museum through the link at the end of the article to book your flight today!

Scott "Scooter" Yoak took to the skies in his stunning P-51D Mustang, "Quick Silver," for a lovely aerobatic display. Scott holds a commercial, single & multi engine land and single sea and flight instructor ratings and is also an airframe & powerplant mechanic. According to his website, "Scooter" built up hours of flying time through banner towing and instructing in the family owned T-6 Texan. At the age of 20, Scott was checked out in a P-51 Mustang and now flies in some 20-25 airshows each airshow season with over 6500 hours of flying time and well over 1000 hours in the Mustang. If you've never had the fortunate opportunity to see "Scooter" perform in Quick Silver, find an airshow where Quick Silver and Scott are flying. It's a privilege to watch him put the P-51 through a series of aerobatic maneouvres in the sky, listening to that powerful Merlin eat up the sky!

Two North American B-25 Mitchells took to the air to perform multiple passes, the Yankee Air Museum B-25, Yankee Warrior, and Liberty Aviation Museum B-25, Georgie's Gal. The B-25 Mitchell was a medium bomber introduced in 1941. It served in every theatre of war during World War II, with many countries operating the Mitchell for many years post-war. There were more than 10,000 of the type built, used in many different roles such as medium bomber, recon, patrol bomber, ground attack, gunship, training aircraft and more. Many survive today both in flying condition and in museums around the world.

The Royal Canadian Air Force was the only non-US military aircraft that performed during the airshow with their CC-130J Hercules aircraft. The Hercules first flew in 1954 and has served with many nations around the world, including the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Air Force. Initially designed to perform roles as a cargo transport, medivac and troop carrier, over the years this very versatile aircraft has been utilised in many different roles above and beyond its originally intended design, including SAR (Search & Rescue, weather reconn, aerial refueling, aerial firefighting, maritime patrol, airborne assault, and tactical airlifter and is also being used for scientific research. It can carry more than 17,000kg of fuel, capable of transferring 450 - 900kg per minute and can refuel a CF-18 Hornet in under 5 minutes. With a range of over 7,200km, the versatility of the Herc has proven to be an asset to many military organisations worldwide.

We'll have a final review of the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow 2019 at the Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan next week. There were quite an assortment of aircraft for spectators to wander around and look at, including some of the aircrew of those aircraft who are always more than willing to talk to folks about their aircraft and what both they and their aircraft do.