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

[A26 Special K]

Fans came despite the rain hoping for a break from Mother Nature and some airplanes to fly in Topeka. Not looking so good. The forecast says it should be lifting by now and we can only conclude that someone at the weather office missed the dart board again as to the time for clearing. Ma Nature pretty much does what she wants though so it should not be any surprise. Just keeping fingers crossed that it improves enough for the DC3 to get home tonight. JR

[A26 Special K]

Our A26 guy, David B. is showing our newest recruit how to work airshows in the rain. Paige appears to be wearing a trash sack rain coat, however, it really is a rain coat made to look like a big trash sack. At least that was what I was told to say. She makes the best oatmeal raisin cookies so that alone qualifies her to become a permanent member of the restoration team....in spite of her wardrobe choices. JR

[A26 Special K]

One of our visitors to the DC-3 was a WWII vet who came especially to see the Gooney Birds. We asked him to autograph the interior side of the cabin just as we always do for the vets we encounter. Then he told some of his flying stories in the Pacific and they were incredible, yet he was just telling them like it was all matter of fact and no big deal. You just have to admire guys like Major Brimm. Glad we could help him go back to his youth and share his memories. JR

[A26 Special K]

Aubrey Brim said that he was so pleased to see the Gooney Birds because he felt it might be his last chance. A large number of WWII vets are pushing 90 or more now and we feel very honored that they still make the effort to come out even in the rain. Their determination still shows and no doubt contributed to the winning of that very difficult and uncertain war. There was no script. It was not all done in 52 minutes with 4 commercial breaks for the good life. Just.... real heroes. One more time, thanks! Hope to see you in Topeka next year! Appreciative in Texas, JR

[rdennard]

Great pic of Aubrey Brim. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[A26 Special K]

Thanks Bob, the more I look at that picture, the more poignant it becomes. As I get older, I am beginning to better understand what Aubrey meant. We just have to do the best we can to provide the opportunities for our vets to have this one on one time with their old and trusty steeds..... while both the folks and the airplanes are still kickin! JR

[A26 Special K]

There were several pilots at Topeka who made sure that any WWII Vet who came to the show and wanted a ride got the opportunity. Scott Glover gave a bunch of rides in his T-6 and other airplanes. Some of the vets still have it! JR

[A26 Special K]

Ditto!! One of the things we would like to do with the A-26 is give those who flew or served with it the chance for a ride as well. When we have the next Nimrod reunion, we will try our best to make that happen. We don't have all that much time left to get this done either so we are going as fast as we can while still maintaining safe and good restoration practices. JR

[A26 Special K]

Scott also sent along this shot of Cowden Ward's Pecos Bill. Cowden gave a number of rides to the WWII Vets at Topeka. This beautiful shot just speaks for itself. Topeka could become the next big event for warbirds. We look forward to next year with the B-25 and the A-26 going up there for it. JR

[NImrodA26]

............................We look forward to next year with the B-25 and the A-26 going up there for it.
Sounds like a trip to Topeka will be in order for us next year, if Special K is going to be there.

[A26 Special K]

............................We look forward to next year with the B-25 and the A-26 going up there for it.
Sounds like a trip to Topeka will be in order for us next year, if Special K is going to be there.

Randy, while we recommend that everybody who loves warbirds goes to Topeka next year, we would like for the A-26 vets in particular to have the chance to see K first. The Nimrod reunion is being planned so as to make that happen. If we can get her finished in time, the planning committee will set the reunion up so we can have everybody come to Ft Worth or some other location, perhaps Hurlburt as usual or another. We would like to make OSH too so we have our work cut out for us. It, of course, is dependent on man hours and money available to git er dun. We still have the engine to overhaul and our matching donation campaign is still going. If anybody would like to help, go to our sister organization's website and look for the donation button or address to send it to.... http://www.a-26legacy.org Thanks! JR

[Lightjug]

Wow, does this picture speak for itself or what? Outstanding... thank you JR.

[A26 Special K]

Lightjug, the more I look at that picture and try to put myself in Major Brim's place, the more poignant it becomes. Thanks for the comment. Perhaps we can get it published in some other places and share the moment with folks who might appreciate it. I have been thinking about a title for it.... and it comes from the Major himself... "Last Time"
Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

Meanwhile back at the hangar, work has slowed a bit on the A26 with so many guys gone to Topeka and the work being done on the B25, but Lou and Miguel plowed ahead on some of the sheet metal repairs to the fuselage. The area had two big holes from shrapnel hits that had been patched over. Ray straightened out the structure underneath and now it is ready to be covered. If all goes well, perhaps Lou and Miguel can finish it up this Saturday. Be happy to have visitors this weekend so feel free to drop by our Meacham Field hangar. Not supposed to hit 100 degrees on Saturday so should be a good work day!! Meanwhile we want to wish one of our mainstays the past two years, Mark, the best of luck in his move to Corpus Christi to work on Navy airplanes. Hate to lose him. He has been our everyday go to guy and has done a great job. See yall, Saturday. JR

[A26 Special K]

This is the panel that was removed and replaced by the new panel in the previous shot. We are just about to catch up on the fuselage repairs. May start prepping the gunner's compartment for paint tomorrow. The real JR came by some of the mil spec gray paint somehow.... That is the only area painted gray for some reason. The cockpit is all black with green quilted material covering some sections. Going to look pretty nice when all is done. Ran into a glitch with the Lear-Seigler K-4A vertical gyro control and attitude indicator. Can't seem to find anybody who can overhaul these or has an overhaul manual. May have to resort to plan B. Anybody have some solid leads? We have tried many of the leading shops. Somehow 1960's tube technology is now a lost art. Dang it. The other JR