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

[A26 Special K]

Arnold and Steven are conferencing at the table about some hardware we need while Big Mike, Denis and Bryan are trying not to wake up the floor manager, Inu.

[A26 Special K]

Denis has been refurbing the external bomb racks that go on the wings. This data tag is from one of the eight racks that we have and are still operational. We would like to find some external fuel tanks for the two inboard pylons. The originals were 230 gal sized, but we would consider anything between 100 and 230 gal if anybody has any??? Please PM me if possible or leave a note here and I will contact you. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

Ah, a nice quiet Sunday morning with the airplane all to myself or so I thought. I heard a strange squeaky laugh echo from the rafters. Reminded me of a scene from the latest Zombie movie......

[A26 Special K]

As I looked around, I saw this ghostly apparition sitting at a workbench sorting rivets and screws... or so I thought. When I approached to get this picture, it must have heard me and scurried away so fast that I couldn't keep it focused in the lens. I think I am going to have call Ghostbusters. Anybody got that number?? Scared in Texas, JR

[A26 Special K]

Notice anything different about Kay? JR

[A26 Special K]

What a milestone today was with the installation of the overhauled rudder! It took nearly all of the team to lift it into position very gingerly and guide the torque tube into the access hole without messing up all of the newly finished sheet metal work below it. This was a 6 hr job to get it all done! Many thanks and greatest appreciation to JR and the team for getting this accomplished. The other JR, the pilot!

[A26 Special K]

As the torque tube was slid into the hole, Arnold called for a little bit of tilt to the starboard side so it would miss the hinges on the back of the vertical stab. Once in, the team eased the rudder over so the hinges would slide in to their respective slots. The real JR is looking back toward the tool chasers to get some boards to lift the rudder a smidge so the slots can be mated. JR the pilot.

[A26 Special K]

Guess who slept thru all of this high drama! Yes, Inu, our floor manager, nodded off. I am glad he could cause the rest of us were turning blue from holding our breath with everybody working up so high on the rudder. Actually, he got in just a little bit of trouble with Arnold when he went AWOL to go play with a neighbor dog. Had to go track him down. He was put on a short leash for awhile. Happens to the best of us, but heck, he met a new girl so I totally understand his situation! JR

[A26 Special K]

Here is what we mean with "high drama"... Too Tall Tim is even having trouble reaching the top rudder hinge. Was turning blue while he did this. Would have made even a movie stunt man think about it for a bit. Sheeeesh, but we got it done without any injuries or damage to the rudder. Sure glad we don't have to do this again! JR

[A26 Special K]

Meanwhile, this view is looking inside at the control cables that will have to be hooked up to the rudder and in a few weeks to the elevators. Love it when a plan comes together. So far we are 80 per cent done with the airplane with only 80 per cent left to do!! Yay!! JR

[A26 Special K]

After the successful lift, Ray and Strat got back on the left horizontal repair to install a couple of internal ribs and lay the skin back in place. It is ready for the leading edge to be installed. We are waiting on some tools that have been ordered to help repair some dents in the leading edges. Once that is done, they will finish out the leading edges on both sides and shoot them back on. Wow, these guys are good and that new Cherry Max gun is such a big help! Thanks!! JR

[A26 Special K]

David and Felipe are installing some hardware inside the stabilizer to finish out the closure that Ray and Strat started. Doesn't it look much better with the skin back in place?? You suppose surgeons say the same thing?? JR

[A26 Special K]

We had several visitors today who stopped by to watch the team at work. This gives a good perspective of the "high drama" we experienced during the rudder hang. The top of the vertical is 19 feet. JR

[A26 Special K]

Since we have been talking about having a pig hunt with the K when she is ready to go, we have been wondering how to conduct secret communications with our ground crew so they could go out and pick up our half way BBQ'd pigs to finish the job. I think I may have stumbled on the solution. They used them effectively in WWI and I sorta doubt that any of the pigs would shoot any of them down so....... anybody got any homing pigeons for our cause? The Ace Hog Extermination and BBQing Company of Texas, JR

[A26 Special K]

This is some of the nice sheet metal work that Ray and Strat accomplished on the tail cone so that we could install the rudder. It had been holding up the deal, but they got on board with the program right away and got 'er dun! Nice to have good help show up. The new guys have just the talents we needed to continue our progress with the restoration. It has been amazing how things have worked that way all along thru the project. Either the right part, tool, person or donor appears out of the blue and makes things happen!!! It really is a miracle... especially after the hangar door did NOT get blown on top of the airplane during the storm two weekends ago at Meacham. Thanks everybody for your good thoughts and prayers!! Cheers, JR