Watch Warbird Thunder Steal the Show at the 2025 Joint Base Andrews Air Spectacle

Airshow Takes Flight

At Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the skies came alive on September 13–14, 2025 during the annual air show. Among the many performers was Warbird Thunder Airshows, with their two-ship aerobatic routine flown in SNJ-2 and SNJ-3 Texan aircraft. These are former World War II Navy advanced trainers. The performance shown in a recently released video was filmed on Friday, before the official weekend event opened to the public. While the video captures only part of the display, it offers a rare view behind the crowd line, showing loops, rolls, and formation flying from aircraft that still carry history in their frames.

The pilots—Chris “CT” Thomas and Mike “Buick” Eberhardt—flew tight formation in the two Texans. The routines included synchronized turns and mirrored aerobatics, showcasing coordination and skill. In one shot, smoke trails mark the paths of both aircraft as they twist in the sky, then break apart into opposing passes before locking back into formation. The Texans are large and slow compared to modern jets, but their radial engines produce a distinctive roar that echoes through the crowd.

Preparations and Spectator Experience

Permission was secured from base operations to film from well clear of the crowd line. This allowed for clean shots, though some video segments show small distractions—like insects landing on the lens—but they do not detract from the aerial display. Attendees were treated to more than just aerobatics: the event included static aircraft displays, science exhibits, music, and feature acts by military demonstration teams. Many visitors snapped photos of the SNJs, drawn by the historic aura and sound of their engines.

Warbird Thunder’s performance stood out in a lineup that also featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-35A Demo Team, and parachute teams. Their role as one of the civilian acts gave the show contrast: slower, vintage aircraft sharing space with cutting-edge jets. The spectators seemed to enjoy seeing those older planes rise into the same sky as modern machines. Moments like the Texans peeling off into mirrored passes drew cheers, especially when they reshaped the airspace into bold patterns of smoke and motion.

Keep going for the video below: