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

[A26 Special K]

We are announcing that these prints will go on sale shortly. They are specifically of our Special Kay as she will appear in SEA camo paint and her old number IF 679. It was done by the renowned Japanese artist, Taichi, who has done countless other beautiful drawings of most of the Reno Racers. It is indeed an honor to be chosen, for his attention to detail is incredible. The prints are 1/48 scale, full color, printed on card stock suitable for matting and framing.. AND, they have been signed by ten A26A vets who flew, armed or maintained the aircraft at NKP, Thailand from 1965 to 1969 during the VN war. There are only 10 of these signed prints available. When they are gone, they are gone. The asking price is $250 which includes shipping. Higher donations would be accepted and would be tax deductible since we are a 501c3 organization. Those interested can send a PM to me after 5/10/2012. These prints will be probably be priceless in a few short years. All proceeds will go to the restoration and return to flight of Special Kay. Won't you help us out? Thanks, Jim R, Greatest Generation Aircraft Foundation.

[A26 Special K]

They designed the new shirts with K's profile and name on the back...............
=======Jim, if you've got those shirts, put one of those aside for me also in addition to the On Mark shirts. We'll settle up when I get there. The count-down has started up here. Weather here has been crappy, overcast, and windy. Hope it's better in Texas when we get there!

Randy... sure will save you a shirt and some nice weather. Our cold front has gone thru, the storms went south of us so all is well. I washed the car and watered the yard to tempt Mother Nature to allow some rain here, but alas, all in vain. Drat.... Have a safe trip!! JR

[A26 Special K]

He's back.....Darth Tristan modeling the new A-26 Nimrod hat in stealth mode. Isn't he kewl? Well, now that you mention it, maybe he does resemble Yoda more?? I dunno about this? JR

[A26 Special K]

Tim and Gus in the cockpit in their usual positions!!! Our guy restoring the cockpit is on an extended tour of duty in Savannah and we can't wait for him to get back to work here. Come on home, Rand!! Anyway, Tim and Gus were among the last of the Nimrods and helped return the airplanes to the US in '69. They pulled into the boneyard at DM and just left the engines running for awhile even though they had the cut signal. They were not ready to give up the greatest flying and best airplane of their careers just yet. They wanted to have time to say goodbye and savor the moment for a bit. To hear them tell it, it was like giving up an old friend. I'd say that is exactly what it was like. JR

[A26 Special K]

Somebody snuck up on me to get this shot. I am showing Don Vogler the left main gear laid out on the table and just waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to come back from the shop so we can assemble it. Also looking on are Ken Yancey and his wife. Ken was a Nimrod pilot and got the name of "Magnet A$$" because he brought home so many shot up airplanes. He was hit on five different occasions with one time requiring the entire tail to be changed out. This took three days for the line crew to do after the tail section was received at NKP. JR

[A26 Special K]

One of the highlights of the reunion was a cruise and BBQ on Eagle Mtn Lake. Hawkeye was our master chef and brought the brisket, beans and salad. It was so yummy that we are going to throw another BBQ and cruise for our volunteers who have been working so hard for a good long year now. The use of the boat was donated and we certainly appreciate this. Being on the ground floor of this marvelous restoration is another big reward. It will be cool to look back and be able to say, "I did that"!! I think all of the team feels this way. JR

[A26 Special K]

These prints are now on sale at $250 including shipping. The original was done by Taichi in Japan. They are signed by ten of the A26 vets who flew, armed or maintained the airplanes at NKP from 1965 to 1969. One has the distinction of being one of the few who successfully bailed out of an A-26. The A-26 did not have an ejection seat so it had to be done the old fashioned way. Contact me with a PM if interested in purchasing this tax deductible treasure. Each is unique in that the order of signatures varies. We have only ten prints so first come, first serve. Jim R

[NImrodA26]

That landing gear looks outstanding!!

[A26 Special K]

That landing gear looks outstanding!!

Thanks, Randy, can't wait to show it to you. I am hoping it is installed by the time you get here. The guys are taking a lot of pride in restoring it to like new status. Have a safe trip out to Texas! JR

[A26 Special K]

Here is an update on the cockpit restoration. The Nims were very impressed with how original it all is. We still have to find some drum and pointer type airspeed indicators to replace the existing types, but for the most part, we are in good shape. The gunsight is going to be mounted on the flat plate attached to the glare shield on the pilot's side. Won't those hogs look pretty for their close ups in that?? EEEhawww.. can hardly wait. JR

[A26 Special K]

Just want to say you are great...like this topic so much...learning more ine here.
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Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate them. Today is Saturday so the team is already hard at work on the K. We liked the cookout last weekend so much, we are going to do it again this weekend. The smell of those burgers on the grill is just so enticing. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. Yall come see us at Meacham today! JR

[A26 Special K]

Hmmm... look like Darth Tristan is trying to take the O2 Lady's broom for a ride. He is also modeling the back of the new A26 Legacy Foundation's T shirt with Special Kay on the back. They changed over from Don Vogler's dad's A-26. We appreciate the support and cooperation we have received from Don and the Nimrods. If interested, you can order this T shirt or the Nimrod hat online at http://www.A-26Legacy.org. Just tell em JR sent you!!

[A26 Special K]

Here are our electrical genius's at work devising a new tester for all of the Circuit Breakers in the airplane. There are several needing replacement. With the tester they can check for continuity and whether the breakers are working as advertised. Nice to have help like this!! JR

[A26 Special K]

This is the new "What the heck is it" part of the week. I dunno either but the real JR says we need two of them. I think they have something to do with the oil cooler doors, but??? The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

Happy Birthday Clay, now get back to work!! That's what we told our metalsmith anyway. He is designing and building a rotisserie to set the horizontal stabilizer on so it will be easier to shoot the rivets for the leading edges. Yep, we are getting that close. The 42 D patch is just needing last adjustments before it is shot in and one rib finished so the leading edge can go back on the right stab. The left is waiting on one more doubler part to be fabricated. The rudder is all done and ready to hang when the vertical stab patch and gap seal is done. Can hardly wait. JR