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

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:22 pm

Oh, as far as the wrench, I have no recollection of ever using one like that. Looks like a "one-size" ratchet, the type you flip over to reverse direction.

rdennard · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:03 am

I don't know what the wrench was used for. We never used it on guns, system functional checks, nor hanging bombs.

I never new Col. Curto, but from what I have learned about him for my next book, he was quite a man and one of the best commanders the Nimrods ever had. Here's a link with a little information.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dcurto.htm

Bob
609th Nimrods, '68-'69
Memories of Naked Fanny

fwnelson · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:13 pm

Maybe someone at the Snap On tool company could provide some info about the wrench.

Old SAR pilot · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 4:22 pm

Evidently that IS a military wrench. From the following site:

http://www.alicorp.com/NSNWHITE/5120/5120008975113.HTM

NSN 5120-00-897-5113 is a RATCHET WRENCH whose part number is N6913. Its unit price is not available and its delivery range is not available. This NSN was assigned on 01/01/1962.
Item does not contain Precious Metal.

National Stock Number 5120-00-897-5113 has an FSG of 51 - Hand Tools, Nonedged, Nonpowered, an INC of 30273 - RATCHET WRENCH, and a NIIN of 00-897-5113.

And it's a 1-1/4" hex.

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:48 pm

Can't tell the size of the wrench from the picture, but if it's the right size, it could have been used to tighten/loosen the sway braces on the external bomb racks.?????????????? just a thought. I just can't think of a lot of other uses for a "one size" ratchet. Maybe someone will recognize it and solve the mystery.

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:48 pm

Can't tell the size of the wrench from the picture, but if it's the right size, it could have been used to tighten/loosen the sway braces on the external bomb racks.?????????????? just a thought. I just can't think of a lot of other uses for a "one size" ratchet. Maybe someone will recognize it and solve the mystery.

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

We were very glad to have Dave and grandson Ethan back with us today. They served faithfully on the team while they lived in Ft Worth, but then moved to Houston. Good they could visit and catch us up on their new town happenings. Ethan is enjoying playing football and is all excited about the upcoming season. He sure has grown since we last saw him. So to make sure he got a good workout, we gave him that wrench that Rob S gave us and asked him to find a nut or bolt that it might fit. Thought we had a winner on a nut in the gun bay, but turned out too little. He checked everywhere in the bomb bay and the external bomb shackles under the wing. No joy! But he had fun searching! Kinda like an Easter egg hunt. More report later as we had a very good day and two new volunteers to join us. :-)

Ta Dah... JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Here is the famous wrench that Rob S found in the nose back in 1978 after the Macon, Ga, crash with Ethan holding it for size comparison. It is steel and quite heavy. Can't imagine somebody dropping this and not noticing. :-)

Had to have just laid it down and forgotten about it, then maybe slid around someplace to hide for 9 or 10 years. Stranger things have happened. JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Here the real JR is blending out some tool marks in the nosewheel before it gets shipped off to the overhaul shop. Overall, it looks fairly decent, but we want to have it cleaned and inspected, painted and new bearing races installed. Should be good as new when it comes back.... if the way the shop worked over the main wheels is any indication. :-)

The other JR

NImrodA26 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:03 pm

Wow, that wrench is a lot bigger than I thought it was from the previous picture. Definitely not anything I remember seeing or using.

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Lou worked on this area of two scab patches that covered up shrapnel wounds by cutting it out and prepping it for new skin. Ray repaired some of the underlying structure and got it finished up underneath so it can be covered next weekend. He also cleaned out the kick in step on the side of the fuselage. The spring that holds the lid closed was broken and the piano hinge looked kinda rough. Ray is our perfection metal magician and puts in a lot of overtime to make it look right. Lots more little dents and bumps to do before her makeover is complete and she is ready for the coming out dance. :-)

JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Got the G Meter back from a Century overhaul. Looks purty nice in the panel. The A26 handles more like a fighter than a bomber so one has to be a little careful just how many G's are pulled. A little over 3 g's was the military limit. From the stories we have from the Nimrods, a limitation was a goal not a restriction. Probably pushed it around over the limits many times. That tends to happen when people are shooting back at you, I'm told. :-)

K is not as young as she used to be so we are going to take it easy with her. JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Ray finished up the bomb bay repair and reinstalled the bomb bay door forward actuator. Just in time as we have a rumor that Amy is coming to visit next weekend. She overhauled those actuators and redid many of the door hinges and arms back last year. We have missed her since she moved off to greener pastures in Tuscon. JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

Rand has been busy renewing and cleaning up the armament selector panel. More fine sandpaper and water he says. Well, it appeared to be clear liquid anyway. He was drinking most of it.... but it was warm in the hangar. :-)

Looking purty good there, Rand. Thanks! JR

A26 Special K · **Joined:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:27 pm **Posts:** 2559

In other museum news, the B-25 was pulled out of the hangar and test run today. An engine driven fuel pump was leaking a bit so that was changed out by Pat. It popped and belched so it appears some plugs may have fouled. The guys will change those out tomorrow and run it again. If all goes well, they may test fly it and if that goes ok, take it down to Cleburne for more time on it before it goes to Topeka on Thurs assuming everything is working properly. The Gathering of Warbirds there should be spectacular. Ck out the website: http://www.warbirdsand legends.org See ya there! JR

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

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