M-Wolverine

August 26th, 2010 at 3:59 PM ^

He is one of the few Autobots able to fly, and takes full advantage of this, using massive bursts of acceleration to outpace his opponents.

And since the A-10 love in the post hadn't started yet, the OP was referring to ALL the planes. The F-16 flyover too. And, at last early on, they were Autobots, because they were mostly cars. And the planes and stuff were all the bad guys. Before it became a free for all.

*This geeky post is supported by the fact that it brings more attention to this thread, with worthy news and acknowledgment.

jonny_GoBlue

August 26th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^

Dude that is awesome.  The A-10s are one of my favorites.  I'm told that the Iraqi's refer to it as "Silent Death".  That could just be inflated military stories though. :)

Bigasshammm

August 26th, 2010 at 12:51 PM ^

When the A-10 comes in at it's nominal steep angle of attack to a ground target it makes virtually no noise. Thus when the cannon is fired usually you are blowing up on the ground before you even hear the growl of the cannon. You don't hear the jet itself till it turns or flies past.

 

Not many people know that the A-10 was very very close to being decomissioned and retired prior to the Gulf War. With the success of the F-16 and the F-15 there wasn't deemed a need for a subsonic attack aircraft. Then Desert Storm happened and about the only plane that had any success on the ground was the A-10. Combined with it's reliability made it the perfect weapon for ground and urban warfare.

profitgoblue

August 26th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^

What was the best flyover at a game involving the Wolverines?  My vote goes to the B-2 stealth bomber flyover at the 1997 (technically 1998) Rose Bowl game.  It wasn't fast and wasn't all that loud, but the awe it struck was awesome.  That said, the standard two F-18s or F-16s flyover never fails to generate goosebumps!

jaster

August 29th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^

Yep, the 2004 Rose Bowl was the best flyover I've ever witnessed. I also have pics somewhere, but here's a youtube video I found (kinda grainy).

From a technological standpoint, the B-2 is the most stunning, and menacing, aircraft in existence. A modern marvel. Toss a Raptor and a 117 on its wings and that's a helluva flyover. Thanks for the post, Shoe. Class of '04 - AFROTC Det 390

BiSB

August 26th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^

I used to have seats near the top of the North end zone, and I never saw the planes coming.  If I had a nickel for every time I had to leave a game early because the USAF made me shit myself...

Njia

August 26th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^

When you see one of their shows, there's a part of the routine where Lead Solo is demonstrating the F/A-18's high-alpha capability, (i.e. really slow flying) down the flight line. Suddenly, from behind the crowd, Opposing Solo breaks across the field at about 350 kts.

Shitting yourself indeed.

Njia

August 26th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^

There is a scene at Red Flag exercises at Nellis. From a slow motion camera on a ground target (an old, tracked vehicle of some kind) you can see an A-10 roll in on a target and open up with the Vulcan. I can't imagine being on the receiving end of that. Talk about the definition of a "really, really bad day."

IronDMK

August 26th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

Fly-overs are so cool, especially when they are extremely low, have full after-burners going, and are so loud that it shakes your chest.  Too bad they aren't like that more often!

flyboy

August 27th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^

Due to FAA flight restrictions and Navy rules on speed and altitude for special events, the flyovers you have seen at Michigan games restrict the pilots from using afterburners and being below 1,000 AGL (above ground level). However, I agree that it is loud as hell.  It is especially hard to hear the Color Guard Commander (person in charge of raising the flag) give orders while the fly-over is taking place.

 

Edit:  2 Navy F-18 Pilots lost their wings after a flyover at a Georgia Tech game last year because they were below their minimum allowable altitude.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/navy_pilots_punished_031910w/

flyboy

August 28th, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^

And trust me, as hard as it is to earn your wings of gold, this "flat hatting" was definitely not worth it.  In fact, I had to stay in on both Friday and Saturday night this weekend to study for my flights.  Those guys worked SO hard to be Hornet pilots and in a matter of seconds, it was all for nothing.  A very sad story, but something us young student naval aviators can learn from.

Aequitas

August 26th, 2010 at 1:11 PM ^

I'm looking forward to this opener more than any opener in history.  Brandon mentioned that there would be some "inspirational moments" and I assumed he was referring to Brock leading the team out.

Can't wait!

goMichblue

August 26th, 2010 at 2:09 PM ^

Shoe,

 

Just don't let the Air Force do the flyovers, at the OSU game last year they flew by way too early during the anthem.  I kid, I kid.

 

Get some Prowlers/Growlers from Andrews if you can.

flyboy

August 27th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^

Most Navy F18s (Hornets and Super Hornets) are based in NAS Lemoore in California.  The new Growlers (replacing the Prowlers) are also Super Hornets, but based out of NAS Whidbey Island in Washington.  The US Marine Corps also have F-18s based out of Miramar, California.  These are the only squadrons based on the West Coast.  There are 5 of us Michigan alumni in flight school at NAS Corpus Christi flying T-34s.  We can't wait for the day when we can do a fly-over at Michigan Stadium (don't worry, not in the T-34s)!