Warbird Information Exchange

Econo cruise in the A-26 would still be 75-100 knots faster than econo cruise in the B-25. The reason that people do not run the power settings they did during WWII is the preservation of the engine. If I had to choose between the A-26 and B-25 to use for transportation between air shows, I would choose the A-26 every time. I could operate it in econo mode for engine preservation, and still get there a lot faster than the B-25. In the long run you are putting less time on the engine, so you can cover a lot more distance for a given TBO.

As for putting R-2600's on an A-26, you would have to redesign pretty much everything from the firewall forward, and get FAA approval for all of the changes (this cost would be a lot higher than the difference between the 2600 and 2800 engine overhauls). You would lose about 25% of your horsepower, so I am not sure that it would even work. You would probably have to run the 2600's at much higher power settings, so you would most likely be doing more frequent engine changes. There have been people change engines to increase the amount of power, but I am not aware of anyone who has been attempted to change engines where they would lose that much power. I would not want to be the person that would have to do those test flights.

Understood. Just was curious.

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I would love to have either for the museum. The downside about riders is the insurance - you have to insure for the number of passenger seats as I understand. So if you have 7 passenger seats you better make dang sure each one has a paying body in it everytime you take the plane up.

I think for Wendover, the A-26 would make a little more sense. Cheaper purchase price and we could work a deal on repainting her to be a little more "period". Plus, being ignorant of maintnance issues, I wonder how much work is meant be "small amount of work to be ferryable" Sounds like it could be pricey. Also, the time on the engines and props is slightly lower on the A-26 (coming from a neophyte warbird lover).

Tom P.

I recall that electric motors for the cowl flaps, relays and the like for the Invader are hard to find and those operating them have hoarded spares.
Typical big airplane stuff would have to be done, like 3 grand in tires, a couple K in brakes, a trip for the props to the overhaul shop for a couple of K each, recover the controls for a couple of K, radios and a xpndr for 5 K or so, instrument overhaul, fuel tank bladders OK?, new fuel lines, oil lines, oil coolers, corrosion control would be a big unknown, as well as the engines being a bigger unknown with a 50 K bill awaiting after an engine failure, or a screen full of metal, etc.

If it is Experimental it's a really big 2 seater (I think), so no deal on rides AFAIK. There is not much room inside of an A-26 anyway.

A Limited certificated On-Mark, Monarch, Tempo, etc, would be much better, especially with the big rudder and vortex generators making the VMC much lower, plus someplace for people to actually ride. Six in the back, one in the jumpseat would help. If a bomber nose is installed, resist the temptation to let anyone ride there during take off and landing (I don't know, it might be prohibited nowadays anyway).

Maybe having 150 K in reserve after the purchase and restoration would be a nice figure. 100 K to buy, 100 K to restore, and 150 K in reserve would be a good business plan if you had the FAA all lined up to give your museum a ride letter. Not unreasonable, considering the price of a B-25.

Chris...

Thanks Chris - although after I reread Courtesy's site, it is the B-25 that needs a bit of work to be ferryable. Still makes the A-26 sound a little more reasonable.

Tom P.

Which is a BIG 'IF' right now. Last I heard FAA was putting down a moratorium on any new waivers for rides, while they re-evaluate the program. Meaning, if you don't already have a waiver to offer rides in your warbird, you could be waiting a looooong time.

Heavy Metal Jet Team should add the F-5 to their collection... I bet Snort would do a hell of a awesome show in that !!!