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

[A26 Special K]

The hole in between the machine gun holes is where the mystery part goes. Next shot is the part itself. JR

[A26 Special K]

OK, so this is the mystery part as taken out. The glass on the backside is cracked, but both sides were painted over. Any idea what this thing was used for back in the day? Our resident gun plumber, Randy, doesn't think it was ever related to the guns that he recalls. Too small for a passing light. Wrong place for a good gun camera port, but that is about the only idea we have at the moment. Bueller, Bueller, Anyone, Anyone?? JR

[A26 Special K]

Primer is all dry and prepped for silver today. This is the long anticipated part we have waited for that goes across the top of the gear for the trunnion support. Big Mike got it all ready and shot the silver paint so it should be ready to assemble and install some time this week.

[A26 Special K]

Who is this masked man who shoots the silver bullets with a hardy "Hi Ho Silver, away" ??? And if you are old enough to answer this question, please come see us. You belong in the museum!! Well, not literally! But to work with us!! JR

[A26 Special K]

As the stranger on the white horse rides away in a cloud of dust, he leaves his silver calling card for all to see and marvel at its beauty!! Ain't it grand?? Well, it certainly is to us because it means we can have K back on her feet soon!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Meanwhile, Arnold and Ray took the leading edge out to our "other paint booth" to touch up the primer on the inside where some repairs were made before Ray shoots the rivets for the metal strip that goes along there. They may have it ready to shoot rivets for the installation back on the horizontal stabilizer by the weekend. Once the rudder is finished, we can hang the stabs and elevators. Joy!! JR

[A26 Special K]

For those of you who love to play "Where's Waldo", this might peak your interest. All of these parts except one belong to the left main gear assembly. It is not the red object on the black gloves so now, for you sharp eyed types, which part does not belong with this group?? JR

[A26 Special K]

Looking down the barrel of the upper support trunnion, this is what we needed to get fixed up before putting it all back together for the left main gear. It is quite probable that the right main will require the same treatment, however, we feel with the experience we have gained from this first one, it should go smoother with the second. At any rate, we will have K on her feet for the Oct 13 Fall Fling at Meacham at the same place we held the Spring Fling. This fly in and car show was a great hit last time and we will have even more aircraft this time. The B-25 and A-26 will be there for tours. The DC-3 will be giving rides as will several other vintage aircraft. Ck out our FB page for more details as Dana posts them. http://www.gga1.org is the website and just click on the FB page or the Pacific Prowler link. JR

[hawkeyepoole]

On the 25th of August we we hanged the rudder on Special K. You've seen the pictures, and now you can see the video time lapse of the event. I had some technical issues getting this done. Sorry for the delay!

Just so you know the time lapse is of most of the work day. The rudder hanging took about 104 minutes. The time lapse covers about 6 hours.

https://vimeo.com/48780739

[A26 Special K]

Hope you enjoyed Hawkeye's video! If you didn't watch it full screen with the sound up, you didn't get the full blast!! I suspect many of you noticed when we broke for lunch. Lately, we have been doing a picnic style lunch in the Mancave rather than trapsin off to the restaurants. Seems we get more done when we do it this way, although it is fun to visit with the gals over at the Dixie House Cafe. We will back!! Anyway, bought some more of that expensive silver paint today... the $72 per gallon kind.. for the gear. We will be assembling the left main tomorrow and maybe getting it installed since it should be much cooler than normal tomorrow. Got a bunch of hoses as well since we are changing out all of the hoses in the gear well and the engine area. Should have no trouble getting her back on her feet in time for the Fall Fling 13 Oct and the VFM Hangar Dance on the 20th. Drop on by and see the team in action tomorrow, Saturday, the 8th. Join us if you would like to work on K. We have something for nearly everybody to do. JR

[bdk]

Is that nose light just another nav light like on the rudder?

Do you guys need a B-26 structural repair manual (1944/1968)?

[A26 Special K]

Is that nose light just another nav light like on the rudder?

Do you guys need a B-26 structural repair manual (1944/1968)?

No, we don't think it was a light, atleast on the K because it was painted over on all of these airplanes. I looked at an OnMark 8 gun nose today that had been adapted to a stock A-26 and there is the same hole, but there are two smaller ones below it so that just confounded the mystery. The repair manual you say is 1944 thru 68?? Does it include the K? We have one, but there are some pieces missing apparently, so yes, we would be interested in it. Does it by any chance show this mystery part? Our IPC doesn't even have it listed or illustrated. Thanks! JR

[bdk]

The printing was in '66 for the '44 manual. It doesn't have an IPB. Look in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=47024

If you don't have this manual and want a copy, I'll send you one. It's about an inch or so thick. A donation letter on letterhead would be appreciated if you can provide one.

[A26 Special K]

Ah, the start of a very fine day, especially after it was over 100 yesterday!! We got a lot done and have decided to work tomorrow as well. JR

[A26 Special K]

Saturday, we had a good turnout of the troops and were very productive. We had a massive laying on of "hands" to assemble the left main gear. As it came together, it got heavier and heavier, which usually calls for Big Mike, Tim and the real JR to add arms as well. Fairly soon, 6 or 7 people were taking part. Everybody was getting excited about this big step on the way to a return to flight..... not the least of all is moi, JR the pilot who can't hardly wait to fly her.