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

[A26 Special K]

Hey Randy, how was the camping trip? Sounds like you got more flying stories than fishing stories??? They weren't biting or what??? Anyway, there were thousands of man hours devoted to Billie and JR, the airplane. I spoke with 3 of the guys who worked full time on them the last two years and they are sad to see all of their work go down the drain even though all of them had moved on to other jobs before this disaster. They may come help on the A-26 or B-25 when that gets back on the front burner. Learned that Stevo is getting married in April. Seems he found a low mileage gal he really is sweet on. It will be awhile before we see him at the hangar again seeings how he is in love now!!! Congrats to Stevo. Rick got a new job and the opportunity to also work on the DC-3 AA Flagship Detroit for a bit. Pat is still blowing up stuff (pyrotech) and flying SAAB's when he can as a factory delivery guy. So there is life after volunteering to work on old airplanes, but I don't want this to get out. Keep it to yourself! Good to hear from you Randy... keep those cards and letters coming! JR, the pilot.

[Fouga23]

So sad

[A26 Special K]

This evening's report is fairly good. The hangar door got set back on the tracks so we can close up the hangar, which is a good thing because we are experiencing another storm tonight. There is some sheet metal work that needs to be done up above the door to plug the areas that were ripped off. Then some painting to make it match will take place later. The fence where the C47 blew thru has been replaced with some details yet to go. Most of the wreckage has been picked up and moved back into the yard. Just holding breath that tonight's weather doesn't do more damage. Again, we were very fortunate compared to the north end hangars at Meacham. Many airplanes were damaged by the hangar collapse and debris flying around from the materials being stripped off the other hangars. The one good piece of news weather wise is that we are expecting only low 90's for Saturday's restoration work on the K. Be nice to get some relief there. Yall take care... JR

[A26 Special K]

Well, after a long hard week, things are getting back under control. Inu (E-noo), our floor manager decided to take a break. He had a lot to do trying to supervise the clean up and setting of the hangar door back on the tracks. VFM had scheduled a meeting of WWII vets on Tuesday, so everybody was scrambling to get the power back on or provide a generator for the event. The meeting went off without much of a hitch and was a success. When that rare vet comes up and starts talking about A-26's back in the day, wow, that makes it so worth it. First hand knowledge is slipping away so quickly. Here's a salute to our veterans!! JR, the pilot

[A26 Special K]

Some of the visiting Vets could probably have told us many stories about this picture. It was taken by our ol buddy and B-25 comrade, Steve, from the right seat of Fifi up toward Chicago recently. Not hard to picture yourself looking at those clouds and wondering where the target might be or whether YOU are the target..... hour after hour... just waiting for those propeller driven SAMS to get in your way in that airspace or ATC to find new ways to torment you because they don't understand how much room a B-29 needs. Hmmm, I just thought of something.. wonder which one is faster, Fifi or Lucky Kay?? We started calling her Lucky Kay after that hangar door fell outward instead of inward!! Grateful in the Republic, JR

[carlisle1926]

Are you sure that is a view out of Fifi, and not the view looking out of Darth Vader's Tie Fighter? I think it is pretty obvious what they based some of the Star Wars stuff on.

[A26 Special K]

Oh absolutely, Jason, Lucas even said that they watched hours of combat film to get the scenes more realistic. I think the B-29 shot looks most like the scenes from the Millennium Falcon where Luke is shooting back at the bad guys. George and company got a lot right in those scenes as a result even though it was so futuristic for the 70's and given the limitations on special effects then as compared to today. Now if we could just get some movie company interested in using Lucky Kay??? I think it is past due to make a movie about the Nimrods!! There is a spot in Georgia that Roger Graham says would be a perfect double for Laos and the HCM Trail. What say ye, Brethren? JR

[A26 Special K]

Made it back from NJ tonight in spite of more storms. Luckily they went around us so far. Not ready for a repeat of last Monday night. Anyway, the day looks to be relatively cool in the morning and the whole team is expected to be banging on the airplane. Come on out and see our progress... Meacham Field, south end at the VFM hangar. Be glad to visit with anyone who would like close up pics or have burning questions. JR, the Pilot

[A26 Special K]

Ta dah!! The real JR, the ace DAR and Ray, finished out the top of the rear spar repair, hung the overhauled upper rudder hinge bracket and placed the cap on top of the vertical stabilizer. Yes, Virginia, the upper rotating beacon is working again!! What a milestone. The rudder is all fitted out with gap seals and ready to be hung. A big kudo to all of the troops who worked on this project! Thanks so much!! Oh, but there is more progress yet to report in the next picture. JR, the pilot

[A26 Special K]

Yes, that aileron is going on, not coming off. Miguel, Filipe, Steven, Arnold and Big Mike fitted the control surface and checked the fit of the new gap seal. It all checked out so now they will take it back off to measure the other half of the gap seal. But gosh, it sure was pretty while it was up there with that new fabric. We had a storm coming in so we closed up the hangar and headed out in case we get another freak microburst like earlier in the week. Will post more pics later, but shutting off the puter due to frequent lightning in the area presently. JR

[A26 Special K]

We had our youngest member leave us temporarily today. Ethan and his Grandpa Dave have been right there with us for quite awhile now. Ethan's parents are moving to the Houston area so he will be going with them soon. Dave says Ethan will continue to pursue his love of airplanes. One of our guys, Arnold, took Ethan up for his first flying lesson last week in a C-172. Ethan has been attending ground school and has the huge hankerin' to fly Special K when he grows up. We think that is an excellent idea. The whole point of saving this airplane is make it fly into the future along with the history it will take with it in regards to the service and sacrifice of our VN vets. We wish Ethan well and a big hurry up and come back to see us soon. JR

[A26 Special K]

Ethan was presented a logbook signed by his instructor for his first flying lesson along with the well wishes and autographs of the other team members by the real JR today. He has been a valued member of the team so we hope that he keeps this logbook as a treasured possession and brings it back to us one of these days when he has filled it up to the point he can fly Kay. JR

[A26 Special K]

Speaking of the team, Hawkeye fixed us an old fashioned lunch today of boloney sands. We figured out that in the hotter days of the summer, this is just about right for a light lunch and can get back to work quicker. Today was cool by August standards with the cold front coming thru and the rain. It is almost like a mid Sept weather pattern rather than August. Sure need the rain and the relief from the 105's we have been having in July. In other news, part of our team was at Denver's Centennial Airport giving rides in the DC3. They flew over 150 passengers today. They will be moving to Colorado Springs in the morning for the next stop of the tour. If you live in that area, drop by to have a look at the "Southern Cross" in all her best D-Day makeup and perhaps sign up for a ride. This will help support our other projects such as the B25 and the A26.

[A26 Special K]

Amy put the finishing touches on the aft bomb bay door hydraulic actuator installation today. She has rebuilt the front actuator as well, but there is some sheet metal work that needs to be done before this is installed. Again, good that things are going back on the airplane instead of coming off!!! Yay!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Speaking of the completed installation!! JR