Mother Nature often offers up the sound of thunder as it rolls across Canada and the US throughout the summer, but nothing like the thunder that will rumble in the skies of Ypsilanti, Michigan the weekend of August 3rd & 4th.

Thunder Over Michigan Airshow returns to Willow Run Airport this weekend with a line up of aircraft that will be impressive, including a large gathering of World War II Vought/Goodyear Corsair aircraft, currently with a total of 12 expected to attend the airshow. Best known for its uniquely shaped wings, the Corsair was known as "Whistling Death" in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.

The Yankee Air Museum hosts the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow every summer and they will be in attendance their own aircraft including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, "Yankee Lady," their B-25 Mitchell, "Yankee Warrior," and their C-47 "Hairless Joe." You can even book a flight in one of their aircraft for an aviation experience of a lifetime. Visit their website below to check out their aircraft seating availability and where their aircraft will be offering flights throughout the year.

Also expected to be in attendance are 7 North American P-51 Mustangs. Though not a huge gathering of P-51s, it's still a rare treat to find 7 in the air together with that magical Merlin engine sound as they pass the flightline in formation. Known for their ability to escort formations of bombers deep into the heart of Germany, the Mustang was an integral part of the Allied offensive during the retreat and defeat of the Nazi forces.

There will also be two other B-25 Mitchells in attendance, "Georgie's Gal" and "Briefing Time." The Mitchell is probably most well known for the Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, when 16 B-25s took off from the deck of the USS Hornet, navy aircraft carrier, bound for Tokyo, Japan. It was a daring raid, lead by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and, though it didn't result in extensive damage, it certainly had a huge moral boosting factor for the US military and the American people.

Returning to Willow Run Airport and Thunder Over Michigan is the Douglas A-26B Invader, "Silver Dragon." Designated the B-26 (1948 - 1965), the Invader saw service during World War II, the Korean War and in other Cold War conflicts and served in the US military until its retirement in 1972. The "Silver Dragon" is painted to represent an aircraft of the 386th Bomber Group of the US Air Force during World War II.

The US Air Force will be represented by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-15 Strike Eagle as well as a few other assorted aircraft. Though both the F-15 and the F-16 are older aircraft, they are proven in combat and are always a thrill for airshow crowds and will offer much of that thunder and high speed airshow patrons know and love.

The US Navy Boeing E-6B Mercury, airborne command center, will be on hand. Based on the Boeing 707-320, the E-6B was developed to replace the EC-130Q aircraft. The E-6B is designed to convey instructions to the US Navy fleet ballistic missile submarines from the National Command Authority and also has the ability to control the Minuteman ICBM, remotely, using its airborne launch control system. There were 16 of these aircraft built and was the final version of the 707 line of Boeing aircraft.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will visit with the CC-150 Polaris, the Canadian Forces version of the Airbus A310. The RCAF operates 5 of these aircraft in various roles including troop transport, air-to-air refueling and VIP/Prime Minister transport to locations around the world.

Other aircraft expected to be in attendance include two T-28 Trojans, Beech 18, TBM Avenger, two Cessna Skymasters, two Boeing Stearman, two de Havilland of Canada Chipmunks as well as an assortment of other vintage aircraft. There will also be various other military aircraft including several T-6A & T-6B Texan II, C-130 Hercules, KC-135 Stratotanker and various helicopters.

So, make your way to Ypsilanti, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow this weekend and experience high speed, low & slow, loud, rumbling and spectacular vintage and modern aircraft. Experience the history of World War II, and history from the relatively early days of aviation to the more modern jet and turbine aircraft we often see in the skies today. You'll never be disappointed when you hear the THUNDER!

Yankee Air Museum: http://yankeeairmuseum.org

Thunder Over Michigan: http://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/