One of the most anticipated warbird appearances of the 2026 airshow season has been confirmed. Organizers of the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show announced on July 3 that the Collings Foundation’s F-4 Phantom II will appear at this year’s event, giving spectators the opportunity to witness the only civilian flying F-4 Phantom II in the world. Scheduled for July 17–19 at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the annual airshow is one of the nation’s premier aviation events. The appearance of the legendary Phantom marks what organizers describe as the aircraft’s first airshow performance of the decade, following its long-awaited return to flight earlier this year.
After spending seven years on the ground, the Collings Foundation’s McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II returned to the skies on June 8, 2026, from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Flown by former U.S. Air Force Phantom pilot Harry “D-Day” Daye, the aircraft completed a successful test flight that marked the culmination of years of work by volunteers from the Collings Foundation and the Vietnam War Flight Museum. Registered as N749CF, the aircraft was originally built in 1965 for the U.S. Air Force as F-4D Phantom II 65-0749. Today, it is painted in the markings of F-4D Phantom II 66-7680, one of the aircraft famously flown by Col. Robin Olds during Operation Bolo in the Vietnam War. The Phantom’s return to the air is especially significant given its rarity. Following the retirement of the U.S. Air Force’s QF-4 drone program in 2016, the aircraft is believed to be the only flying F-4 Phantom II in North America and one of only a handful still flying anywhere in the world.
(Image credit: Chris Ebdon)
The Phantom joins an already impressive lineup for Thunder Over Michigan 2026, headlined by the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows. The addition of the iconic Cold War fighter further strengthens what promises to be one of the year’s premier aviation events. Presented by the Yankee Air Museum, Thunder Over Michigan has earned an international reputation for showcasing rare historic aircraft alongside modern military demonstrations. The 2026 edition is expected to continue that tradition, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see one of aviation’s most iconic fighters return to the airshow circuit after years away. For warbird enthusiasts, the Phantom’s appearance represents a rare chance to experience the sights and sounds of an aircraft that served with distinction during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. With only one flying example remaining in North America, its appearance at Willow Run is expected to be one of the highlights of the 2026 airshow season. For more information about Thunder over Michigan Air Show, visit www.thunderovermichigan.org.
