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

[hawkeyepoole]

I have much to post on Thursday or Friday this week. Some new video has been uploaded at http://www.vimeo.com/channels/nimrods and I have pics as well. We are finally moving on her restoration!

[Invader26]

Nice.

[ronl]

Awesome thread, guys. The B-26/A-26 was an incredible bird.

I understand that the expended .50 cal cases and links were collected in the nose when the guns were fired. Were they collected in a bag, or did they just fall to the bottom of the nose compartment? Do you have any pictures showing the nose compartment with the guns installed that you could post?

Any detailed drawings covering armament from the tech manual would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Ron

[hawkeyepoole]

I'll ask one of the Nimrods, but I think the expended .50 cal cases simply fell in the bottom of the gun bay. We don't have guns yet, but want to acquire a set of 8 replicas for the airplane. The AF museum in Dayton has an airplane on display that may have what you want.

I don't know if I have detailed drawings but I do have a complete set of A-26A manuals, so if it's in there I'll find it for you.

[hawkeyepoole]

Here's what's going on with Special K at this point:

A wonderful man who goes by "JR" is doing a thorough inspection of the aircraft from stem to stern and making a spreadsheet of things to do. He and our other JR are organizing the list into what must be done, what should be done, what would be nice to if you have money.

So far JR has acquired new main tires for us from Goodyear. YEAH GOODYEAR! He has also acquired a new set of the proper sparkplugs from Champion. YEAH CHAMPION! Thank you letters to them both.

The props have been pulled and along with our spares, sent to Byam for inspection and overhaul.

The carburetors have been pulled off and sent for overhaul.

We have new canopy plexi for the radio compartment, and I have removed the rear canopy. We must either replace a corroded piece of aluminum or replace the canopy. Hoping to replace the canopy and fit in our new plexi.

We have new plexi for the pilot and copilot hatches. I think we're acquiring new windshields as well.

There is a spare nose gear which may or may not be inspected and repaired to replace the current one. The current nose gear needs seals.

There are many, many items to be inspected and/or repaired, but so far, nothing really major (like a spar or structural damage). Some additional panels need to be de-riveted and removed for further inspection around the firewall.

The volunteers are in the process of acquiring paint and painting services. I believe the consensus is that the aircraft will be returned to the way she looked at Alexandria and Hurlburt Field. This means she will carry the AF insignia and the "IF 679" tail numbers, but otherwise will look like those aircraft that went to NKP.
There is a small and dedicated group of volunteers working on the aircraft, but we could use more, and of course, if you'd like to donate, please don't hesitate! http://www.a-26legacy.org and they'll get us the money!

Many thanks to Jim Terry and everyone at Greatest Generation Aircraft who are taking on this project. Plans are to get the airplane over to a base near Hurlburt Field in early October to get her painted, after which the Nimrods will get to see her during their reunion.

[cwmc]

I love the helmets, mustache, and cigar while flying Air force bombers.
Chris...

[RickH]

Firewall ? You mean the dishpans or the bulkhead between the oil tank and the main wheel wells ??

[hawkeyepoole]

I'm a little vague on the actual location of the inspection, but I believe the maint guys are going to remove the engines to inspect the structure behind them. The airplane had a gear up event many years ago and the guys just want to be sure all is as it should be.

[StangStung]

Can't wait for the pics. Great thread!

[JohnH]

I don't know if I saw this thread or replied last year, but it's great to see this airplane moving on and forward. Seems like it was for sale for over five years, I remember meeting the Lynch sons at Reno in 2006.

[ZRX61]

Interesting trivia. I was told by one of the pilots that the white face guages are 60's vintage and the yellow (off white) face guages are 40's WWII vintage.

I think the off white older ones use the radio active paint & the brighter ones don't.

[NImrodA26]

TEST. Trying to post a reply, but no luck on two attempts.

[NImrodA26]

Regarding the .50 cal. brass, it was discharged to a compartment directly below the gun bay. There is a trap door below the gun nose that opened with a couple Zeus fasteners. We had a small trailer with a large wooden box on it that we would back under the nose of the plane, open the door and drop the brass and linkd into the box. There were usually some good rounds in the mix and they would be relinked. They ended up being cycled through the guns between straffing runs. There was a switch that had a “Holdback” position that would be selected after a run to open the breeches and allow cooling air to come through the barrels and into the gun compartment. When this position was selected, it put a good round into the brass bay.

[ronl]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the great explanation regarding the expended cases and links. I was under the impression that some kind of bag was used to collect them in the nose, but from what you have said, it sounds like they just fell to the bottom of the nose. Do you recall ever seeing a canvas bag used to collect the shells?

Where were you based in Thailand? I lived in Bangkok in 1965 and Khon Kaen in 1966. I was pretty young at the time (10 and 11 years old) but have many great memories of Thailand. My Dad was teaching at the University in Khon Kaen at the time. Udorn and Ubon Air Force bases were located on either side of us.

Regards,

Ron

[ronl]

One more comment/question regarding the expended .50 cal brass. That must have been quite a volume of brass and links in the nose when the guns were fired. If they were not collected in a bag, did their free movement in the bottom of the nose ever cause any problems?

Thanks.

Ron