B-26K Counter-Invader Restoration ("Special K")

[A26 Special K]

We did haul Kay outside for a bath last weekend. This was the first time out of the hangar in nearly four years. Considering that we had it up on jacks a good deal of the time while the landing gear was removed and overhauled, it was beautiful to see it rolling on its own wheels. Preliminary tests found some more fuel leaks but the hydraulics were very solid when pumped up manually. The engines were preoiled and spun with the starters. An oil leak was noticed on one cylinder rocker cover. The left engine also had a liquid lock on a lower cylinder on Saturday, but not on Sunday. More testing is planned next weekend. Check on our Facebook page for pics. It is open to non FB members.

[Zac Yates]

Thanks for the update, it's sounding close now! Disappointing to hear of more/new leaks but at least it's before flight testing.

[pjpahs]

I have 2 weeks to figure out the first message to the crew of Special Kay , and 48 hours to figure out the second message. Does it have anything to do with turning 100LL to noise, I think maybe. That will be "D" Day.

[therealJR]

Kay Krewe finished another solid week. The guys worked a full Saturday and Sunday. Lots of good stuff happening. Welcome Chuck and Dan to the team. The "new guys", but long on experience and expertise. Welcome guys and thanks to everyone for all the extra effort!

As Larry says "all we lack is finishing up."

[A26 Special K]

We are in the planning phase of having a Kay Day at the VFM hangar combined with an open house at the museum. The CAF A-26 and T-34 will be on display. The GGA DC-3 will be selling rides. The T-33 Dennie's Dream will have an open cockpit to view. We will be inviting all of our A-26 vets to see Kay outside and we'll crank engines to make some good R-2800 noise! We hope to have some media coverage as well. Stay tuned as we hope to announce the date soon!

[A26 Special K]

Just posted a new video of the prop turning over with the starter.
http://www.facebook.com/a26secialkay. Getting closer!!

[A26 Special K]

The time has come to tow Kay out of the hangar and start engines for the A-26 vets. They are all invited to be our special guests at 9 am on July 9th followed by a luncheon to meet our restoration team. We have had a good response so far from them, but expect more soon. If you are an A-26 vet and didn't get an invitation thru Tim Black's email list, please send me a PM. The Vintage Flying Museum is holding an open house in conjunction with our event on Saturday, July 9. There will be free admission and many other activities in the hangar that day. The GGA DC-3 and the CAF A-26 will be selling rides and tours. The T-33 cockpit will be open to view. Hot dogs will be available in the Grand Central bar area of the hangar. VN era vehicles and folks will also be there. What are we celebrating? Well, besides Kay's debut, this is the 74th anniversary w/e of the first flight of the A-26 in 1942. The restoration team has been waiting six years for this day. The A-26 vets have been waiting 47 years or more to hear their favorite airplane come to life again. We are very proud to make this possible for them. All other interested people are invited to watch, meet the team and the veterans. Plan to join us on July 9th and help us celebrate!!

[A26 Special K]

Tried out the instrument lights and avionics last evening. All of the bright annunciators lit up that show vac, oil or fuel pressure problems. The Garmin 650 is just about ready to load nav data. Will probably get a subscription for it and the 255a database next month. We have put these off until about ready to fly. Starting to get very excited about the possibility.
Saturday, July 9th at 9 am is the rollout of Kay from the hangar with engine starts planned for 9:30 am at the Vintage Flying Museum, Meacham Airport, Ft Worth. We have invited many of the former A-26 vets to the shindig. Among those coming are a Bay of Pigs A-26 survivor, former Air Commandos from NKP days and one from the Korean War era.
For those who aren't aware, the first batch of K models were used by the CIA in the Congo and flown mostly by Cuban ex pats in 1964. We have invited the "Makasi" to participate as well. The retired President of the Boeing Commercial Aircraft Division is who also an NKP vet will attend.
On top of this, VFM is holding an open house with no admission fee. Greatest Generation Aircraft will be offering rides in their C-47. The Invader Squadron of the CAF will offer tours and rides in their A-26B. Their T-34 will also be available to view. The T-33 will have the canopy open and set up so it can be viewed, too. A luncheon is planned for the A-26 vets with the restoration team. For other visitors, hot dogs and soft drinks will be available at the VFM Grand Central bar. So this is going to be a great day to come visit the hangar and see some very historic aircraft. Kay is the last flying example of her kind. It has taken six years of hard work and dedication by the team, but we have stuck with it because we believe she deserves her place in the sun to tell the stories of the Special Operations men and women who went to a secret war without fanfare or the expectation of even a pat on the back. It is time they be recognized for their service.

[A26 Special K]

18 July 1966. It is hard to believe but this is the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the K models at NKP, Thailand, to begin combat operations against the NVA supply lines going thru Laos from NVN to SVN. They were very effective from 1966 to the end of 1969 when withdrawn from service. Special Kay is the last flying K model. Many of the A-26 vets will be attending Kay Day on July 9 plus some very special people. The mechanic who convinced Denny Lynch to try to save the airplane after it was wrecked in Macon, GA, will be one of them. Another is a lucky survivor of a bail out from the A-26 which is considered to be almost impossible. A survivor of the Bay of Pigs who flew on an A-26 for the CIA and later flew K models in the Congo is another special guest. Please join us for Kay's rollout and engine start on July 9th at 9 am.

[A26 Special K]

Plans are coming right along for the July 9 open house and engine run on Kay! The T-33 may do an engine run as well. We have received a good number of replies from the A-26 vets that they will attend. A new video of the bomb bay doors being exercised has been posted on our FB page. No log in required to view it. Check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

Our gal got outside for a bath for the big day on July 9. We tested the avionics package and everything is looking good. The last item on the list in that dept was the ELT. It was installed along with a new antenna. This is the newer 406 ELT that talks to satellites to give position in the event of a problem near the bottom edge of the air. Our avionics guys have just done outstanding and amazing work to resurrect the old wiring and install new radios, HSI and Garmin Nav indicator. While you are admiring her big tips, check out that laminar flow wing. We ran the flaps down to 57 degrees and lubed them good. We think all should be in good order by Saturday, July 9 for the big unveiling and the crowd of VN vets who are coming to hear those engines fire up again. For many, it has been forty-five to fifty years since they have heard their favorite aircraft come alive, make oil smoke and settle into that sound that only a 2800 can make. The public is invited to the Open House in honor of the vets and many other activities in the VFM Hangar that will take place from 9 am to 5pm. Don't miss out on this history making event!!!

[A26 Special K]

Frank N, "Naked Fanny" Bob, where are you guys? Are you going to make the rollout of Kay on July 9? There are a whole bunch of A-26 and NKP vets coming! JR

[rdennard]

I would be there any other day than 9 July. I have a long standing commitment on that day in Fort Walton Beach. I'm still trying to figure out a way to "sneak out" but for now I can't make it.

[C VEICH]

Lovin' this thread and congrats to the whole team. I can't wait to see "Special K" all finished up and flying. I would love to be at the unveiling and see and hear the reaction of the attending vets to the old girl. Please take lots of pics and video if at all possible! Good luck on the day!

[Zac Yates]

It's so exciting to see the panel all lit up, and to see Kay outside again! I hope July 9 goes great for the team and everyone has a blast. I'll be following here and on Facebook.