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

[RickH]

Gear door hinge? If I remember right.

[NImrodA26]

Nacelle outboard door actuating rod????????

[A26 Special K]

It is the attach point for the gear door hinge, a rather important part of this whole landing gear thang. We sure would like for the gear to work properly. A flat tire, collapsed strut or failed gear and we would be looking at a new prop and overhauled engine real quick. Not a desirable or pleasurable thought. While these past incidents saved the airplane for us to obtain, the same thing happening now would be disasterous. Everybody keep your fingers crossed, but we are going to put a lot emphasis on fixing the gear right for this reason.

[A26 Special K]

This is the real JR showing the rest of the crew the new trunnion support that will be installed in the right side of the left nacelle. This corrects some damage that was done in a previous incident back in the 70's. Cheers, the other JR... yes, there are two of us. Neither of us was on the "Dallas" TV show though.

[hawkeyepoole]

Here's one of the reasons we're restoring this wonderful aircraft. Watch an interview I got 'on the spot' during a BBQ dinner at the Air Commando Reunion last year in Ft Walton Beach, FL. This is Lee McCleskey and his friend George Matthews. Lee is telling us about his bailout experience over Laos and Thailand after a mission.

If you don't get chills, maybe you're dead!<G>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dQOdOWxF7A

[A26 Special K]

Here is Joe T taking the final practice shot at the horizontal stab repair before we do the real thing. This is a real milestone on the restoration. Once the rudder is hung, we can go back with the horizontals and elevators. Whoooo hooooo.. things going back on is always good. It's a good day to fly!! The sun is back out!! Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

This thread has now gone over 41,000 views. Back in late January, we were at 26,000. My Aggie math says that is 15,000 views in less than 2 months. That is just amazing. Want to thank everybody for their interest in our A26 project. When CrewDawg, et al, finish the final touches on the Texas Special and we finish our Special K, wouldn't that be a hoot to see them roaring down the showline in formation!!! Eeeehhawwww... can hardly wait. There is another A26 or two in the neighborhood so maybe we could do a 3 or even a 4 ship. Anybody got an idea how long it has been since this has happened?? I dunno, but it is bound to have been awhile just guessing?? How bout it? Would anybody besides me like to see this?? How bout a 4 ship chasing a lil ol black O2 around the race track pattern at an airshow? That sounds even better!!! JR

[A26 Special K]

This is the horizontal stabilizer with the 42D patch in the leading edge. It should be finished soon and the last rib is probably going to be finished next Saturday. Then it can go back together and be ready to hang. I love it when a plan comes together. We have a lot of sheet metal work to do and would invite any sheet metal specialists in the Ft Worth area to come help put this one of a kind machine back in flying condition. Regards, JR

[NImrodA26]

.........................another A26 or two in the neighborhood so maybe we could do a 3 or even a 4 ship.
========
The last time I saw a 4 ship formation of A-26's was June 18, 1966, the day the 8 A-26's arrived. Was a beautiful sight. A KC-97 with two 26's on each wing, followed by another 97 with the last 4 26's. I know that someone on the flightline had to get pictures of it, but I haven't seen any of them. It was the one day that they didn't mind cameras on the flight line.

[A26 Special K]

Randy, we have seen some home movies of a two ship break at NKP, but that is about all. The Nims tell me they did some formation work with a C-130 for nav when they brought the airplanes home to the boneyard. I would guess somebody has stills or movies of that if we can just get them to show us. But I bet that sounded really good with 4 on the wings of KC-97... talk about good noise. Did the ground shutter a little bit?? JR

[K5DH]

There is another A26 or two in the neighborhood so maybe we could do a 3 or even a 4 ship. Anybody got an idea how long it has been since this has happened?? I dunno, but it is bound to have been awhile just guessing?? How bout it? Would anybody besides me like to see this??

As I recall, one of the Breckenridge air shows back in the 1990s had four A-26s show up (and fly). That's the only time I know of.

[A26 Special K]

Ever wonder what was under that fairing on top of the wing behind the engine nacelle? See all those pipe looking thingees? We dunno either. Mystery for Monday question!! JR

[NImrodA26]

.................... Mystery for Monday question!!

The pipe Thingies on the wing are:

A. Engine oil breather tube
B. Nacelle fuel tank lines
C. Anti-ice system lines
D. Fire suppression system lines
E. All of the above or None of the above (circle one)
F. Some of the above
G. Not even close!

[A26 Special K]

Aw shoot, Randy, we should have gotten you to write the test question. That was a much better way to do it. OK.... so now, who is up for picking the right answer?? Hint: you can go to our website and look in the IPC (Illustrated Parts Catalog) shown on the Information page. Just click on that button and then look for the IPC. http://www.a26k.org
Thanks, Randy....

Note to Dean... so you think Breckenridge in the 90's was the last time for a big gathering of A-26's? Anybody got anything else?? You may be right!! JR

[A26 Special K]

BTW, we are trying to finish up the left main gear so that it can be installed in time to tow the airplane over to Spring Fling at Meacham on the 31st so yall can see what we have been doing. It will be a close finish if we make it. Still several parts that are being fabricated, repaired or overhauled. Will keep you posted. If we don't make it, please be sure to just drive down Main St a bit farther and turn on NW 38th St. to the hangar. Chances are we will be working away on it if we can't get it to SF. Be glad for you to stop by and say hi. Cheers, JR