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

[A26 Special K]

87 octane was leaded. It was phased out years ago. It might have been approved for smaller engines, but what about the lead content or lack thereof in an unleaded replacement fuel? The problem is not just one of octane but the other things lead does for valves for instance. R-2800’s and bigger are what we are concerned more about. We stand to lose the most if a replacement fuel can’t perform as well as 100LL and at near the same cost. It is hard enough now, but with rising fuel prices and inflation, it could cost more than we or a show can afford. Last year, it cost $4800 to fill up. Now, it’s hit close to $7000. By the middle of airshow season, we might just have to put her back in the hangar and wait for the insanity to stop.

[A26 Special K]

So it begins… the rising costs of fuel has caused several shows to cut back on performers. Kay lost two shows just today. More expected. Congress has yet to approve a budget so another Continuing Resolution is in the works. Mil bases are hampered in signing contracts so they are being conservative in signing performers as well. Kay has two pending mil contracts in May. We would not be surprised if more shows aren’t cancelled. Collateral damage from the Russian debacle and the constipation in Congress. Just not a good way to get past Covid and the world situation. Think we will just go back in hibernation for the rest of the year.

[A26 Special K]

Our team is doubling efforts to get Kay ready for first show. On Saturday, we plan to do gear swings and start engines for the first time in two years nearly. Holloman AFB and Ellsworth AFB are our first two. Ellsworth’s Air & space museum holds 17640, the number one K model and Kay at 17679 is the last off the OnMark line. As noted before, we have experienced cutbacks on shows due to high fuel prices. Indeed, Kay has lost six shows as show directors have to reduce performers to stay in budget. We will keep trying to find replacements. There is a big gap now between late May and August. Great Falls, MT is wanting us but no contract yet. Stay tuned.

[A26 Special K]

Success today! Engine starts and gear swings were accomplished with max effort from our team. Just need to make minor adjustments to the idle mixtures and those will be good. Our avionics fired up and took the nav data update. No hydraulic leaks in that system. The inspection items continue to be checked off. When the bomb bay doors are painted, we will put on the cowlings and get her weighed. We have removed or replaced a number of dead weight radio and inverter parts with lighter systems. Stay tuned for the next update as we hope to be flying by the end of the month.

[Scott Rose]

Success today! Engine starts and gear swings were accomplished with max effort from our team. Just need to make minor adjustments to the idle mixtures and those will be good. Our avionics fired up and took the nav data update. No hydraulic leaks in that system. The inspection items continue to be checked off. When the bomb bay doors are painted, we will put on the cowlings and get her weighed. We have removed or replaced a number of dead weight radio and inverter parts with lighter systems. Stay tuned for the next update as we hope to be flying by the end of the month.

Thanks for the updates!

[Zac Yates]

Excellent news, well done to all involved!

[A26 Special K]

Gremlins. Perhaps we were a little too optimistic. Missed the Holloman show due to inop bomb bay doors. T-33 missed due to a hydraulic leak. Today, two instruments and the flap indicator went TU on Kay. Makes for a lot of frustration since they were all working fine last w/e. The bomb bay doors are now operational, but the fit needs another adjustment. We will pound on it every day until Friday to see if everything can be fixed in time to go to Rapid City, SD. Having been based there six years, was looking forward to seeing how things have changed. The South Dakota Air and Space museum at Ellsworth has B-26K number one on display. 17640 so we really want to take number forty, 17679, there for a reunion.

[A26 Special K]

The good news is that we have corrected all the instrument problems and will likely test fly tomorrow at Meacham. If that goes well, we will head to Ellsworth AFB on Friday. Keeping fingers crossed no more gremlins show up.

[A26 Special K]

Test flight successful. Planning another tomorrow from Meacham. Ellsworth show is a go unless Kay digs her heels in again about going out of town. Added the Corsicana airshow today.

[A26 Special K]

Greetings from EllsworthFB. Kay made it and is ready to fly in this two day show. Th crew enjoyed a fly by of Mt Rushmore during arrival. Took a trip thru the Black Hills last evening. We stopped in Dodge City for fuel and had a great reception. The word got out quickly and before long there was a crowd on the ramp. There is an A-26 on a pole there although it was a Martin B-26 training base in WW2. Going home same way on Sunday most likely.

[A26 Special K]

Great show today at Ellsworth AFB, big crowds. The base has not had an airshow in seven years and the Blue Angels were the headliners. Lots of military planes flying. B-2 showed up with B-1 and B-52 together. F-22 demo knocked it out of the park. Kay got to lead the warbird flight. We had a P-38 and B-25 behind us. The people came from all over to see the show with many from surrounding states. More of the same tomorrow and then return to Texas.

[phil65]

Good to hear it...

Phil

[A26 Special K]

History is about to be made on Saturday, June 4th, in the town of Chickasha, Ok. Somehow, they rounded up four A-26’s to attend their Wings and Wheels Show. It has been quite awhile since four A-26’s have been gathered. There were three at OSH in 2018 when Kay won Best Bomber. Vance AFB was the schoolhouse for the Douglas B-26 as it was known by after 1947. The transition school was at Perrin AFB in 1952 during the Korean War, but moved to Vance in ‘53. So there is an Oklahoma connection. The B-26 dropped the first and last bombs during the air campaign. Anyway, here is your chance to see history in the making. It is not very far from OKC or DFW area. Come see us. We will have cockpit tours.

[Zac Yates]

What a fantastic idea! I'm excited to see photos and videos!

[Thomas_Mac]

Some great footage of Kay at the Ellsworth AFB 2022 airshow