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

[A26 Special K]

Mystery question of the week!!! What is the connection between this airplane and Special K? A friend sent this picture to me from the AOPA Convention. That is a clue!!! Now we shall see who the real warbird detectives are!! Let the games begin! JR

Both Special K and this Invader were owned by Lynch Airtankers.

Right on, Bryan.. but can you expand on the answer just a bit for those who don't realize what the Palm Springs airplane was famous for besides being an air tanker?

[Warbirdnerd]

It was used in the movie Always. I had hoped Bob would keep it in tanker/movie colors but we were told soon after he bought it that it would be painted in Navy utility colors before coming to FCM.

[A26 Special K]

Yessirreeee Bryan, the PSP airplane was none other than Tanker 57 flown by the "Pete" character played by Richard Dreyfuss. Nice to find out it didn't really blow up, huh?
Thanks for being our detective! Now if somebody could just figure out the connection between the Red Bull Stratos jump and K.... ok, looks like our resident gunplumbers will have to answer this one!! Go for it guys!! JR

[groggie]

I'm sensing a Joe Kittinger connection. I've known the answer for days but was trying to let others play.

Chris Grogg

[LadyO2Pilot]

I've known the connection to A-26s in general also for a bit; so here ya go.

"Kittinger later served three combat tours of duty during the Vietnam War, flying a total of 483 missions. During his first two tours he flew as aircraft commander in Douglas A-26 Invaders and modified On Mark Engineering B-26K Counter-Invaders as part of Projects Farm Gate and Big Eagle." from Wikipedia.

However, I suspect JR is gonna tell us that Kittinger flew both Special K and the other A26 and it's in the log books........

[NImrodA26]

You are correct, that Joe Kittinger has a relationship to 679 This is a pic of Joe in his prime, 6 years after he made the jump from 102,800 ft, a record that stood for 52 years. He was also the capcom on the Red Bull jump last week.



And this is a pic of 679 (Special Kay) in her "younger" years. This pic shows up earlier in this thread also. I took this pic during a short deployment back to Hurlburt Field, sometime around late March, early April of 1966. Joe was flying 679 on this particular evening. We had played a little joke on him prior to his coming out for the walk around.

[rdennard]

Yes indeed, Joe Kittinger (AKA the "Beer Bottle Bomber") flew A-26Ks out of NKP. Randy and he were there at the same time. Randy can tell some funny stories about him. I've been able to become vaguely acquainted with Joe through my book research. He is an interesting guy and truly an American Hero.

I think you might get a glimpse into the kind of guy he is by one of his comments at the press conference after Baumguartners feat. The mission had it’s doubters and Kittinger said, "I’d like to give a special one-fingered salute to all the folks who said he was going to come apart when he went supersonic."

Way to go Joe.

Bob
Memories of Naked Fanny

[A26 Special K]

Yep, you guys are good!! All correct. 679 was flown by Joe K his own self!! Maybe we can catch up with him in FL next year and get him to sign the airplane. That would be so awesome. We have a good collection of Big Eagle and Nimrod signatures now as it is, but his would just be more icing on the cake. Like to also give a big shout out to my buddy JO in AZ, who is also an enthusiastic warbird guy! Yall stay tuned as we start the next phase of restoration on K after the VFM hangar dance this weekend. The right gear is coming off for overhaul. Lots of sheet metal work left to do on the aft end of the fuselage (bottom side) and in the bomb bay. Happy in TEXAS, JR

[A26 Special K]

Our resident gunplumber, Randy, sent this link to Joe Kittinger's account of bombing the HCM Trail with beer bottles. You just gotta check this out. Great stories.

http://mofak.com/Aviator_Colonel_Joe_Kittinger_USAF.htm

Thanks, Randy... JR

[A26 Special K]

Need a little help from the group. We have a "Towel Rack" type antenna on the belly of K that needs to be replaced, however, the Illustrated Parts Catalog does not depict it or show the part number. We are looking for this antenna, but it sure would be easier if we had the part number???? Bueller, Bueller, Anyone, Anyone?? Part number or where to find one?? Thanks, BTW be sure to drop by the VFM hangar tomorrow night (Sat) for the 1940's Big Band party. Our B25 will be the backdrop for the band. Come say hi and get a tour while you are at it. Cheers, JR

[Old SAR pilot]

Some manuals here, if that's any help...

http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id404.html

[A26 Special K]

Bob, thanks for the link. Say, noticed the T-34 picture.... one of my favorite airplanes. Back in the day, I used to work for Earle Parks in Amarillo when he started the engine conversion biz. Got to fly the first 285 hp test airplane and later the 300 hp version. We rebuilt and restored many an airframe along the way. N1BD was the first conversion and it is being restored at Earle's shop. Sure miss him. A good friend took over the management of the shop and is keeping it going for Earle's son. Got to fly with friend in Earle's favorite, "55" awhile back. Good memories!! Amarillo will certainly be one of the places we take K on tour! San Angelo, too! Stay tuned! JR

[A26 Special K]

Tonight is Saturday night and yall know what that means! Time to get that weekly bath and head on over to the VFM hangar for the 40's dance. Come see me at the B-25, mention you saw this on WIX and get a free tour of the B-25.
JR

[Rogue]

Headed that way!

[A26 Special K]

Ah yes, a good time was had by all. Here are two of our favorite B-25/B-29 people, Steve and Kelly enjoying a WWII moment at the 40's dance! Looks like they are having fun. The band was great and we are glad to report that jitterbuggin has not died and gone away. There were some fantastic dancers there last night. If you missed this one, you really missed a fantastic time.... not to mention some of the dresses!! Wow, I sure wanted to dance with some of those dresses, however, duty called, and I stayed busy giving B-25 tours. Yeah, I know, somebody has to do it. JR