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

[NImrodA26]

Yea, goin to the land of "You'uns" or "You's es" instead of "you'all! Back in the day, I was briefly engaged to a girl from Cincinnatti. Learned that the talk was somewhat different in that part of the country. Same for Pa.
Don't think at this point I'd want to part with either the sword or the pin up. The story on the sword is: When we were deployed to NKP, there were all sorts of rumors about what kind of place we were going to. Plus, we had to get passports and have our photo taken in civilian clothes. The passport made no mention of us being in the military, stating only,"Abroad on an official assignment for the United States Government." If that weren't enough, someone told us, "If things don't go according to plan, you may have to find your own way out of the country."
Hearing that, several of us went downtown and bought maps, compasses and machetties and plotted a route to the next nearest base, which I believe was Udorn-just in case. Thankfully, we never had to use any of the stuff.

[A26 Special K]

Yea, goin to the land of "You'uns" or "You's es" instead of "you'all! Back in the day, I was briefly engaged to a girl from Cincinnatti. Learned that the talk was somewhat different in that part of the country. Same for Pa. . The passport made no mention of us being in the military, stating only,"Abroad on an official assignment for the United States Government." If that weren't enough, someone told us, "If things don't go according to plan, you may have to find your own way out of the country."

So two thangs... was your little ol passport Red covered? And the other I meant to ask, you must have searched a long time to find a woman who would want to drag you to airplane museums. What was the secret to breaking the code??? I would love to have one like that. Wouldn't we all?? JR

[NImrodA26]

Yep, passport was (and still is) red covered. I was supposed to turn it in, but somehow that didn't happen, so I stil have it in my scrapbook.
Actually, we were planning on coming to your Spring Fling, but with time constraints and distance, we had to do something different. We would have had to been back here by Tuesday, so being a hard two day drive each way, we decided against it. When we were deciding where we coud go, I told her to pick something since we had been several places I wanted to go. One evening, out of the blue, she said, "Why don't we go to the Air Force Musuem?" Talk about a surprise!! Yes, she's quite the catch.
Later,

[A26 Special K]

Yep, Randy, you lucky dog. You undoubtedly have broken the code when it comes to a wife who would chose going to the AF Museum. Wow, must be one in a 10 million odds of that. They are out there but so hard to find. BTW your pin up story reminded me of one of mine... a secret that I have kept for many, many years. A friend of mine who shall remain nameless, was on a committee to select items to place in a time capsule at a fairly large airport (which will remain nameless) that is in Texas, but not Ft Worth. There was a rather prudish lady who served on the committee as well. So friend got the idea to do something fun. At the last minute before the capsule, which looked more like a bank safety deposit box, was sealed, he placed a Playboy centerfold over the top of all the items which included films that had been shot in all of the previous decades at the airport. He told me about it and swore me to secrecy which I have faithfully kept... until now. The capsule was opened after 25 years with TV news cameras rolling. Something was hastily removed from the box amidst some very concerned looks from the airport officials in charge and a very red faced prudish lady who was their special guest. It was like waiting forever for this payoff, but when it happened, oh boy, that was so funny, I almost wet my pants. Guess you had to know this lady to really understand what a payback this was for all of us. The only thing that made the news was the playing of some of the old film footage of the airport in the 50's with Connies, DC-3's and 4's coming and going. Great stuff. JR

[A26 Special K]

Here is a shout out to all the kids from Northside High School who came out to see the museum this afternoon. Got to share some history with them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that more than a few had some genuine interest in the airplanes and the stories behind them. Several mentioned having a grandfather, father or mother who had been involved in the military or building airplanes. Since the K is the only Viet Nam era airplane in the hangar, they were particularly impressed with it and the B25 because many knew of the Doolittle Raid from the movie about Pearl Harbor. They all wanted their picture made in front of it. My hope is restored that the next generation recognizes there is more to life than just showing up in the world and expecting it to be handed to you. The kids were a little rusty on the Star Spangled Banner and when it became the National Anthem... 1931, but who would have guessed that, huh? More importantly, while they knew the words, they didn't exactly know why Francis Scott Key was out in the harbor on a British ship when the fort was bombarded or the importance of why the flag still flew the next morning. The British had sent an ultimatum to lower the flag and leave safely or be blasted away. Lawyer Key was negotiating for the exchange of American POW's held on prison ships in the harbor for British POW's. So he had a ring side seat to the battle. He was asked several times if the flag was still there. This inspired him to write the words. Several years later, the music was added and presto.... a very important song was born. If you want to know how it became to be our anthem, consider this question..... for the real detectives... what is the connection between Gen George A. Custer and the adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem? You can bet there will be an American Flag on the side of the K just as there is on our B25. It is not the flag that matters so much, but what it represents... the spirit of the people!! JR

[A26 Special K]

For those who are confused by the fact that we have two JR's on the team, this is the real one. The little guy is his son, Tristan. This is really what we are about. We want to connect this younger generation to our nation's history so they understand what it took to get us this far and what it will take to continue into the future. I just read a story about wild hogs and how to catch them. That peaked my interest very quickly. The man said to throw corn or grain out in one particular patch close to where hogs are living. As they come for the free food, the next time, put up a fence on one side. The next time, put up another side and continue doing this so they become used to the fence. Then put a gate on it. As they pass into the fenced area for the free food, shut the gate behind them. They will figure out they can't get out afterwhile and continue to eat the free food. After a few generations, they will have forgotten how to forage for themselves and will be totally dependent on somebody to continue giving out the free food..... kinda like how the government keeps trying to "give" us things and make us dependent on the government. Then the gate starts closing like with the new health care law that penalizes someone who doesn't buy health insurance. Is this what we have come to? Will all the warbirds be parked in museums because we can't afford or get 100 octane fuel? Is it really about stopping the freedom of flight that keeps us free? Take away the warbirds and soon, there will be nobody left to tell their story, their history. The next generations will not know what freedom really was or how to get it back. Am I wrong? Am I the only one who feels this way? I know there is going to be at least one A26 that will keep telling the story. the other JR

[A26 Special K]

Be sure to check out our websites. The A26 page has been updated at http://www.a26k.org and don't forget the info about our Spring Fling this coming Saturday at Meacham from 9 am to 6 pm. Vintage aircraft flyin, car show, WWII re-enactors and vehicles, DC-3 rides, helicopter rides, food and fun to be had by all. Ck it out at http://www.gga1.org. Greatest Generation Aircraft is proud to sponsor this event and we welcome everybody to the show. Come on out and see us. Don't forget to drop by the hangar and see the A26 restoration team in action. Have a great day!! Cheers, Jim R

[NImrodA26]

Got a pic of the side of 676 today, and there is no munitions placard on the side. There's an O-2 and OV-10 that does have them.

[A26 Special K]

[quote="NImrodA26"]Got a pic of the side of 676 today, and there is no munitions placard on the side. There's an O-2 and OV-10 that does have them.

Hey Randy... good to hear that you made it. In other pictures I have seen of that airplane, can't pick out any external placards of any kind. Did you see any? Hate to say it, but it doesn't appear to me that the AF Museum put their best effort into this restoration. It looks great and is very well equipped, but the manual shows it was covered with all kinds of placards and labels... about 100 of them, as a matter of fact. So I am not too surprised they didn't put an armaments load panel on it. What about other airplanes there in the collection? Do they have external placards? It has been too long since I was there and I just don't remember. Maybe it is a policy they have not to put them on?? Anybody have some insight into that? The airplane just looks naked without placards!

[A26 Special K]

From a previous post where I asked about this, I was asked for a clue as to the connection, however remote, between Gen. Custer, who was killed on 25 June 1876 in Montana and the adoption of the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem in 1931. OK, here is a hint. Try looking at the history of Fort Meade, South Dakota. Then you can put two and two together, as it were, perhaps. Fort Meade is one of the places we intend to do a flyover in the K in August of next year if we can arrange it with the folks who put together the Sturgis Rally!! When I was based in Rapid City, that was always a fun time with all the bikers and nekid chiks wearing leather chaps roaring down the highway. I think they need top cover. No, I mean from the air! EEEhawwww... JR

[A26 Special K]

Sometimes, we just have to pull out a picture of the K before we started taking her apart and remind ourselves that she will go back together!!!! Ahhhhh!! .................(pregnant pause for effect) ... Party on, Garth!! Party on Wayne. And if you remember what that was about, welcome to my world. The other JR

[A26 Special K]

Say, Duck Drivin Lady Pilot, you sure have been quiet lately. Highly unusual and most irregular for you. What's up? Since the guys were showing their old pin ups, I half way expected you to show us what you use to pin up on your walls??? Then I thought better of asking because it probably was a donkey that you pinned the tail on?? Things were a lot different back in the day, huh? That reminds me of a story that Randy told me just today that brought back memories of when I lived in Montana. When I was there, nearly everybody who knew the score carried a .44 sidearm or bigger if going into the wild due to the Grizzly bear danger. This was particularly true as the bears coming out of hibernation were very eager to start catching up on their calories. Anyway, Randy told me about the fella who only carried a .22 Baretta for protection and how it saved his life one day when a Griz rushed him and his brother in law while out on the trail near Horseshoe Lake. Seems the fella shot the brother in law in the leg with the .22 and then walked off at a leisurely pace with no problems. I betcha I had you right up to the last line, huh Duckie? JR PS, Since the Montana Air National Guard used to fly A-26's, Great Falls and Helena will be on our tour list and how can we pass up Billings where she used to live for so many years. I would bet there are some folks there who would like to see how different she will look now.

[Obergrafeter]

O.K. now a time for you to answer a question. Maybe win a Shetland for yourself. What is the reason for the armament placard listings?

[NImrodA26]

Here's the placard clearly on the O-2. It's hangin' pretty high in the hanger. I cannot remember ever having seent he placards on any of our original 8 aircraft at NKP, but they coud have been there. The ones later clearly had the red box on camo painted on.
We'll be going back tomorrow to try to finish up. You just can't begin to see everything in one day. We were there 7 1/2 hours today. They have changed some things around. 676 has been moved back farther in the hanger. It is now beside a Super Connie and A-37. Probably more fitting than being beside/under the BUFF. 676 actually has the engines and props from 671 that was at Florence. The landing gear from 671 went to Florida and is now part of 666.

[A26 Special K]

O.K. now a time for you to answer a question. Maybe win a Shetland for yourself. What is the reason for the armament placard listings?

To Whom do you wish to address your question?? JR