This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:10 pm
A-26/B-26 Douglas instrument panel wanted
We are restoring the cockpit of our A-26 at the Travis AFB Heritage Center
The instrument panel was changed when the aircraft was in service as a fire bomber.
We are looking for a blank panel, repo or original or something we could restore
no gauges/instruments required
We want to return the aircraft back to as original as possible
Our aircraft was built as A-26C-25-DT s/n 43-22652, one of a total of 2,452 built by Douglas Aircraft Co. It served with the ninth AF 24Feb1945 during WWII. After it retired, it was delivered to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, for storage in February 1958. Subsequently purchased by LB Smith Aircraft Corp, Miami, FL, under N8018E civil registry. Next owner was Aerojet General Corp/Aerojet Electrosystems, Azusa, CA, between 1961 and 1972 who used it as testbed for military tracking systems. Arthur W McDonnell, Mojave, CA, owned the aircraft from 7 September 1973 to 1974. In June of 1974 Conair Aviation Ltd of Abbotsford, BC, registered it as C-GHCE and flew it as tanker #30. On 7 August 1974, it was damaged in a gear-up landing at Williams Lake, BC, but was repaired to airworthy condition. On 18 July 1988 it was sent to the Travis Air Museum, Travis AFB, CA, and displayed as A-26K/USAF/43-652/TA652
Also if anybody has more info about its military service we want to know
Thanks in advance for any help
Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:01 am
You don't by any chance have the drawings of the panel? I have a CNC router at work, where I'm beginning to build my B-17 panels. It takes a while to draw but if I had a drawing a could probably cut one out for you.
Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:47 am
Hi Trojandl
Contact the curator at Castle Air Museum in Atwater CA. I worked on the A/B-26C there back in the late 80's. It was quite original. I am sure they can assist you with pictures and dimensions.
Let me know if you need any manuals. I have a good collection on the Invader that I have shared with other Invader restorers here on WIX
Jim Chybicki
Midwest Aeronautique LLC
UC-61K USAAF # 43-14964 / RAF # HB-690