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

k5dh · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:08 am

A26 Special K wrote:

There is another A26 or two in the neighborhood so maybe we could do a 3 or even a 4 ship. Anybody got an idea how long it has been since this has happened?? I dunno, but it is bound to have been awhile just guessing?? How bout it? Would anybody besides me like to see this??

As I recall, one of the Breckenridge air shows back in the 1990s had four A-26s show up (and fly). That's the only time I know of.

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

Ever wonder what was under that fairing on top of the wing behind the engine nacelle? See all those pipe looking thingees? We dunno either. Mystery for Monday question!! :-)

JR

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:05 pm

.................... Mystery for Monday question!!

The pipe Thingies on the wing are:

A. Engine oil breather tube
B. Nacelle fuel tank lines
C. Anti-ice system lines
D. Fire suppression system lines
E. All of the above or None of the above (circle one)
F. Some of the above
G. Not even close!

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

Aw shoot, Randy, we should have gotten you to write the test question. That was a much better way to do it. OK.... so now, who is up for picking the right answer?? Hint: you can go to our website and look in the IPC (Illustrated Parts Catalog) shown on the Information page. Just click on that button and then look for the IPC. http://www.a26k.org
Thanks, Randy....

Note to Dean... so you think Breckenridge in the 90's was the last time for a big gathering of A-26's? Anybody got anything else?? You may be right!! JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

BTW, we are trying to finish up the left main gear so that it can be installed in time to tow the airplane over to Spring Fling at Meacham on the 31st so yall can see what we have been doing. It will be a close finish if we make it. Still several parts that are being fabricated, repaired or overhauled. Will keep you posted. If we don't make it, please be sure to just drive down Main St a bit farther and turn on NW 38th St. to the hangar. Chances are we will be working away on it if we can't get it to SF. Be glad for you to stop by and say hi. Cheers, JR

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:45 pm

This may actually solve the mystery of what those two tubes are for that are sticking out of the nacelle tail cone. I've always wondered what their purpose was. Can't recall ever seeing anything come out of them.

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

Well golly Randy, you may have brought up a whole nuther subject for the Mystery parts contest. So those little tubes in the back of the nacelle you think may be related to the tubes on the top of the wing?? Have you checked the IPC yet?? JR

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:22 pm

Yep, checked the book, but the only thing I saw that looked promising was some kind of oil vent, either from the engine or oil tank, couldn't figure out which. But, that wasn't my end of the plane. The only "Tubes" I worked on were on the front end, and I knew what came out of them!!!!!
BTW, this has been a great thread for those of us who are a tad too far away to drop in on the weekends to see the progress. Keep up the good work. Hope to get a peek of it about the 3rd week in May.

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

Randy... thanks for the kind words. We will indeed keep the updates coming about our work on the K. We are very proud of the team and the airplane. It will be a great day when she flies again and the story can be told about the folks who so gallantly went to war with her. As for the little tubes coming from the back of the nacelle, you are very close... they are vents. Let's see if anybody else knows for what!!! :-)

JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 1096

Here is another difference between the stock A26 and the K. The air intake for the carb was moved aft and placed on top instead of being in the leading edge of the cowling. Anybody know why this was done? Hint: Jim Galluzzi knows. JR

hawkeyepoole · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:07 pm

Cowling?

I know, I know, but I won't spoil the fun. It's not just because the sheetmetal guy was bored.
It is performance related. It relates to a deployment of the Ks before Vietnam...

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:42 pm

Would it have something to do with "propwash" affecting it?

hahnej · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:14 pm

Didn't the K-model have R-2800-CBXX models vs the -71/79 models of the original models? Did the carb and/or carb location on the blower change? Maybe the different props and reversing feature might have messed up the original intakes' flow. Would love to see the engine differences on SpecK vs the old SofW. It was pretty room-wise tight to begin with...but I'm 6'5", so I had to work from the 'outside' anyway, couldn't get 'inside' with it.

RickH · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:18 pm

Actually the carb intake was on top, center leading edge, the alternate air filters were inside the cowlings.

I would expect that the CB carb was mounted differently that the standard engines. Did they get rid of the alternate air filters from the Ks ?

pjpahs · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:26 pm

Wasn't that part of the "congo mod" for hot weather deployment?

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

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