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

[A26 Special K]

Now that's what I call a good neighbor and a great Xmas lights display. Incidentally, our DC 3 is flying nearly every night from now thru New Year's eve. Be sure to get signed up for your ride and see the beauty of the DFW Metroplex in all of its Xmas light glory. See our website for more details on how to make a reservation. http://www.gga1.org
BTW, my Aggies are playing the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl on Jan 4. Be a great time to see the game and then come by the museum to see the A26 the next day. You can count on us being there at the hangar on the 5th working as usual with a great team. Aggies Rule!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the A26 Team!! JR

[NImrodA26]

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... rplane.jpg

been there, dun that!! I bet if he was doing that on the ramp at NKP in August, he wouldn't have that many clothes on!! I had to change out a gun firing relay once, think it was back up in the starboard side. Seems when they let off the trigger, the guns wouldn't quit firing. Doubt I could get in there again! Ah, the memories of days gone by.

[TXCOMT]

JR...have you folks taken any local media up in the DC-3 yet? If you have, never mind; if not, it could be a good way to get some ink, pixels and video. Again, it'll give you a chance to mention everything else you've got going on over there.

TXCOMT

[A26 Special K]

TXCOMT, we have had varied success with the idea of taking the media for a ride. The one time we had a great turnout, the left engine on the 3 decided it didn't want to start. It was not a quick fix so most of them left. That was nearly 3 years ago. There have been a couple of media folks ride on the Xmas light flights and put video up for that. Helped a bunch in terms of letting people know how great that flight is. Our ridership nearly doubled. We recently had a spot on KRLD that advertised our Night at the Museum Xmas party that generated several calls. It was a very effective ad. We also hauled the Huey over for a TV live shot recently. So guess we are slowly learning how to get the media folks' attention, but really need some help in that area. Just sending out press releases doesn't seem to get much play. Any suggestions? JR

[TXCOMT]

Yep, I've got some...shoot me a PM so we can discuss 'em. I'd be glad to help!

TXCOMT

[A26 Special K]

Luis, at the Aviall Wheel and Brake shop, proudly displays his handiwork on our A26 main wheels. They have been given a good overhaul and primed for paint and reassembly. Our new tires will be mounted so when the wheels come back, they will be ready to go on the gear when the mains are finished. We want to thank the guys at Aviall for doing such a great job!
The right side is prepped and ready for primer, but alas, it finally rained today. Not good for painting. A little too cool. We won't complain though because we need the moisture. Don't mind a little wait. The rest of the team will be back at it tomorrow morning (Sat). We have so many different project areas going that I don't know how the real JR keeps up with it, but he has the magic. Drop by if you are in the area and we would be glad to show you how it is going. Always welcome visitors. The other JR

[muddyboots]

Is that the correct green?

[Chappie]

Sorry if I've missed it, but does this aircraft have a combat history from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam?



Chappie

[A26 Special K]

Is that the correct green?

Yes, it is..... if you want it to last for the next 50 years without further overhaul! JR

[A26 Special K]

Sorry if I've missed it, but does this aircraft have a combat history from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam?



Chappie

Yes, K went to England in early '45. She missed Korea although she was used for training. She was used again for training starting in 1961 for VN. Then she was rebuilt by the AF in '65 as a K model. The K's came out of OnMark with green and creme paint jobs at first. Then they were given SEA camo paint with most of the trainers getting creme colored bottoms while the combat aircraft got semi gloss black. Somewhere along the line, our Special K got semi gloss black on the bottom as shown from her picture in the boneyard. Because of this, speculation is that she may have been slated to head to NKP, but the Nimrod program was discontinued before she made it over. Being the last off the OnMark production line and being used only for training, she had the lowest airframe hours and stress of any of the K's. She would have been a prime candidate to go. We are glad she didn't have to do that as she probably wouldn't have made it back. Five airframes were given to the VNAF and were blown up before being overrun by the NVA near the end of the war. What was left in Dec '69, headed to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB . Of this group, the AF museum has one, Pima Air Museum has one, Hurlburt AFB Memorial Air Park has one and there is one in a museum in Korea. Our K is the only one that will be restored to flight. JR

[A26 Special K]

In case there is any doubt, the main wheels will be painted silver per the mil spec, but I haven't decided about the nose art yet. We need to hold some auditions for some scantily clad young ladies ala WWII nose art who might like to have their image considered. I suppose the O2 Lady will have a cow over this idea, but seems like a good idea to me. I didn't say we would put it on the airplane so chill out! JR

[LadyO2Pilot]

In case there is any doubt, the main wheels will be painted silver per the mil spec, but I haven't decided about the nose art yet. We need to hold some auditions for some scantily clad young ladies ala WWII nose art who might like to have their image considered. I suppose the O2 Lady will have a cow over this idea, but seems like a good idea to me. I didn't say we would put it on the airplane so chill out! JR

No COWS here......I like WWII nose art with ladies....on airplanes.........but why would you have WWII nose art on the now specific model used during the Vietnam War.......hmmmmmmm.

[NImrodA26]

..........We need to hold some auditions for some scantily clad young ladies ala WWII nose art who might like to have their image considered.
=========
I wonder how many volunteers you'll get to serve on that committee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[skymstr02]

No COWS here......I like WWII nose art with ladies....on airplanes.........but why would you have WWII nose art on the now specific model used during the Vietnam War.......hmmmmmmm.

I'm not saying which O-2 driver posed for the nose art on this aircraft, I'll just leave it up to your imagination.....

[A26 Special K]

OMG, DZ, do you feel all tingly and itchy? That Duck Drivin Lady is gonna put a pox on you like you never seen before!!! Just hope everybody stands back and reduces the chances of collateral damages. But I have to say that the artist really captures the "attitude" there. Thanks for that input to our question about proper nose art for the K. JR