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

[A26 Special K]

Frank, you just about hit the nail on the head. The Dash One Manual says not to feather the props during a gear up landing. In the feathered position, they WON'T bend and give way. Instead they will hang tough and either come off or rip the engine off the mount.... leading to more probability of damage and fire. Now, if somebody can just get the other question in previous post, we will have a great story. I bet that gear up landing you saw was very interesting. Do you recall if it was forgotten or whether the crew couldn't get it down? Thanks! JR

[fwnelson]

The gear up landing at England was a result of the gear refusing to extend. It was on a routine training mission with an IP, student pilot and student nav onboard. They flew around for an hour trying to get it to come down. Finally, when lack of fuel became an issue the IP brought the aircraft in, they did jettison the canopy on final. The IP did a great job, very smooth, after the aircraft slid to a stop everyone got out OK. Fortunately there was no fire. I don't recall what the tail number was but it was not 679.

Frank Nelson
Nimrod Nav 67/68

[pmahaffey]

OOOH OOH OOH I know the answer LOL.

[b29flteng]

Sudden stoppage may cause the engine to break from the mount. I've read a story of a 2800 bouncing around inside a run-up building after a sudden stoppage.

[A26 Special K]

Yup and yup. You guys are on the right track. Everything said so far is true, but we need one part of the equation of what would happen if the prop was still spinning out of control when the engine had a sudden stoppage. OK, Pat... what's the answer?? JR

[A26 Special K]

Another big milestone this past weekend. All three gear were swung at the same time and waa laa... it worked as advertised!!! We obtained the overhaul manual for the nosewheel so off it goes to the shop now. Also got a hubcap for it with retainer ring. They are rather scarce so we picked up a few extra as trading material. Took video of the gear swing so hoping Hawkeye will post a link here soon. Check back!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Another item that we have been pondering for quite some time... the cover and escape hatch for the doghouse area. Our unit had some corroded members that could have been replaced, but would have consumed much time. So we traded for the unit in the picture and the real JR and Bryan got the power washer on it to see what we have for sure. We have all new replacement glass as the existing was all cracked and clouded over. Otherwise it is in fairly good shape. Be interesting to see how well it fits now over the doghouse. Another very good day!!!! The other JR

[b29flteng]

The prop and shaft will separate (depart the aircraft) and the pilot action is to anticipate this by trying to fling the blade away from the aircraft at the right time (good luck in determining this).

[fwnelson]

OK, just how would you "fling" the prop away from the aircraft, assuming you could determine the correct moment to do it?

[b29flteng]

OK, just how would you "fling" the prop away from the aircraft, assuming you could determine the correct moment to do it?

If I remember correctly you would rapidly turn the aircraft in the direction you want the prop to go, hoping it will snap off. I think Pan Am did it on one of their B-377 Stratocruisers over the Pacific when they had to ditch one.

[A26 Special K]

Well, Hawkeye sent me the link to the video of the gear swing test last Saturday. Check this out. First time since Jan 2010 that it has moved. Even with all the line and hose changes, there were very few leaks. Very nice!! Thanks to all the guys and gal for their hard work and attention to detail. This was a big milestone for the team. JR

http://vimeo.com/70308986?utm_source=em ... czODYxNDk4

[cooper9411]

Well, Hawkeye sent me the link to the video of the gear swing test last Saturday. Check this out. First time since Jan 2010 that it has moved. Even with all the line and hose changes, there were very few leaks. Very nice!! Thanks to all the guys and gal for their hard work and attention to detail. This was a big milestone for the team. JR

http://vimeo.com/70308986?utm_source=em ... czODYxNDk4

Thanks for that link. Pretty awesome to see!

[A26 Special K]

Rand has started cleaning up the armament selector panel. This switch guard was dull red and the letters could barely be made out. With the application of a very fine sandpaper and some alcohol, he was able to get it to look this good so far. Oh, the sandpaper was for the guard and the alcohol was for Rand as the story was related to me??? Thanks Rand.

JR PS Everybody drop by tomorrow at the VFM hangar as we will be working on the B-25 and the A-26. We expect to have the B25 back in the air next week sometime. Woo hooooo... Topeka, here we come!!!

[A26 Special K]

There is a shark in the water!!! No, that white thingee on top of the fuselage is our new shark fin antenna that the real JR acquired for the airplane. It originally had one from the USAF. The mounting spot was located and the antenna slid in place without any other adjustments. Will have to get our "Sparkies" to figure out the rest of the connections to our comm radios. The other JR

[A26 Special K]

While we were up there, Big Tim and Rand filled the hydraulic system with Mil 5606 fluid as the gear was cycled and air was worked out of the system. This is the first time the entire system was tested since it was made ready for the ferry flight from Billings, MT in late 2009. All three of the alighting gear have been removed, overhauled and reinstalled without very much of a hitch in the whole process. The only thing left to do as far as the gear is concerned is remove the nosewheel and send to the shop for inspection and overhaul. We will put our spare on while it is gone. It's good to have people who are so talented and skilled restoring this national treasure. The other JR