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

[CrewDawg]

I was out at the hangar today and shot a couple of pictures of Special K. Unfortunately, I am unable to get fully involved in this project due to other time commitments, but I lend a hand when I am able and generally support them when I can.

The paper taped to the nose is a panel chart and the pages taped to the bomb bay door are the punch list of things to be fixed. The group starts work around 7am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and a few people come out on Fridays. If you're in the area and want to help out, just stop by and volunteer!









They found corrosion on the RH horizontal stabilzer that is beyond repairable limits, so they are now in the market for a replacement RH horizontal stab if anyone happens to have one laying around.

[N3Njeff]

So what is going to become of the old horizontal??? Any thought to hacking it up and selling pieces as a donation to special k??? I would not mind having a piece in my Vietnam room.

[NImrodA26]

Were the horizontal stabs changed for the "K" models or were they the same as other models? I know there were a lot of mods done to the On-Mark versions, but don't remember reading anything about the horizontal stabs being different.
Sure wish Ft. Worth wasn't so far away or I'd love to volunteer to help.
Randy

[hawkeyepoole]

The horizontal stabs are original to the A-26b/c model.

If anyone knows where we can get a starboard horizontal stab, we really need one. We have three choices currently: Repair the one we have, much less than optimal, make a new spar from scratch ($$$$) or replace the stab with another one without damage.

[Lightning]

Howdy

Have you tried Aerotrader at Chino !

Lightning

[RickH]

That nose jack is a standard jack. The A-26 requires a nose jack specific to the plane to be really stable. That one looks scary to me.

[Invader26]

Try Air Spray in Red Deer, Canada. They had lots of pieces lying around their junk yard..

[hawkeyepoole]

Video update:

http://vimeo.com/channels/nimrods#29296478

She's coming along. We've found a lot to do, but we're getting there. We're about to go out looking for funds. We have been privileged to get a lot of help and labor for free, but some things just cost money!

I'm currently working on my trip to the Air Commando and A/B-26 Reunion in Florida. After I return from that I'll update the WIX community on her progress.

Meanwhile, if you're local, come down to the Vintage Flying Museum hangar at Meacham Field in Fort Worth and volunteer some time any Thursday through Saturday, and sometimes on Sunday too!

Oh! The nose gear is reinstalled and she's back on the ground temporarily. There's more work to do, but we have to roll her out of the hangar for the annual hangar dance on October 15th.

[N3Njeff]

Thanks for the update!

[NImrodA26]

Thanks for the update, hawkeye. We're on our way to the ACA/B-26 reunion also. Hope to see you there.
Randy

[hawkeyepoole]

Got a new email Randy? The one I have to comcast.net doesn't work. PM me with your current please.

[A26 Special K]

This is the latest update on our progress with the restoration of Special K. The nose gear has been overhauled and installed. The team is focusing on the left nacelle now. Left main gear is about ready to pull for overhaul, fuel has been drained out of the left side and we are about ready to pull the stress plate on top of the wing. The engine is supported for this action, but as soon as we have the stress plate back in place, we plan to pull the left engine and do some repairs at the top area of the firewall and nacelle. Work continues on the horizontal stabilizers. All control surfaces have been removed and sent out for new fabric. The carbs and props are back from overhaul. The right nacelle and gear will get the same sort of treatment. Landing gear doors are being anti-corrosion chemically treated and prepped for new fabric/paint. New glass has been obtained for the cockpit and rear greenhouse. We obtained a new 28 VDC hangar power supply so we can start running the electrical systems tests at some point in the near future. There are about 16 dedicated volunteers who show up every Saturday to make all this happen. It is a great team to work with and have fun at the same time. Target date for return to flight is Summer of 2012. She will be in VN era colors and we plan to tell that story. It is beyond time for that to happen! More as progress is made.

[NImrodA26]

Thanks for that update. Those of us who can't be there to see it appreciate the info. Good to hear that things are progressing. Hope you're taking lots of pictures.
Randy

[Ken]

I was excited to see a photo of "B-26K" 43-22652 at the Travis AFB/Doolittle Aerospace Museum in CA, but then learned that it's an A-26C painted to represent a K model.

Other than Special K, there's a K at the NMUSAF, and one at Pima. Another was scrapped at Florence, SC years ago. Any other K-models still around??

Ken

[viking73]

I was excited to see a photo of "B-26K" 43-22652 at the Travis AFB/Doolittle Aerospace Museum in CA, but then learned that it's an A-26C painted to represent a K model.

Other than Special K, there's a K at the NMUSAF, and one at Pima. Another was scrapped at Florence, SC years ago. Any other K-models still around??

Ken

Hurlburt Field in Florida has one on display. It is s/n 64-17666 I believe.

-Derek