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

[A26 Special K]

We have been talking blue formation lights so thought we would show one. Not so visible from the front, but it is in the middle of the top deck of the fuselage. See if you can pick it out. Blue is a much better color than green. Wouldn't you agree, Dean?
JR

[A26 Special K]

As I sat in the airplane last evening making airplane noises, the throttle quadrant drew my attention. Larry, Stan and Rand have been planning out the avionics which, of course, includes PTT switches. The left yoke is festooned with all kinds of buttons, most of which, usually, make something exciting happen like fire the rockets, guns or drop things that break other things. Wouldn't do to get mixed up which button to push to transmit on the radio so putting it on the throttle is a good idea for most of the time. We would like to add a button to the right yoke though so the copilot can do most of the radio communications when not flying. Our avionics package has been sent out for the building of the wiring harness so we are hopeful it will be back soon and the guys can get to installing everything. We will have a lot of GPS capability, a luxury the guys of the VN era did not have that sure would have made a big difference for the navigators. I'm not sure how they did as well as they did out there in the dark with hardly any lights in the the cockpit to even see a map or instrument. They did an awesome job!! JR

[A26 Special K]

This is the right side of the copilot's yoke. Notice is not like the yoke used in the WWII versions of the A26 with a Douglas logo in the middle. There are several buttons covered up because these were used in other Douglas models as well. In fact, a DC-9 or MD-80 pilot would find them very familiar. Only the DC-9's electric trim button makes it look any different. So now, we will explore how to get inside the yoke and figure out how hard it might be to wire a push to talk switch in there. The yoke on the right side is removable to allow access into the nose if necessary so how hard can it be??? Ewww, I should know better than to ask questions like that... My bad. Annnywaay, O2 Lady suggested putting a PTT button on the sidewall somewhere, but our guys had thought of that already and have it as plan C. It just makes it harder to talk and fly at the same time. Not something a lazy pilot like me wants to do. I mean, we all became pilots because we didn't want to work, right? JR

[A26 Special K]

This coming Saturday should be very busy for our team. The B25 will get some last minute adjustments to complete her makeover and then be ready for training flights to resume on Sunday and Monday. Hopefully all of that will go well and we can resume giving rides soon. The A26 end of the hangar will see one of the elevators about ready to hang, the gun ports finished, planning for the intercom wiring and jacks done, newly overhauled nosewheel to be installed and a lot of other sheet metal work completed. Hawkeye is making lunch for us and has edited/posted a new video of the interview he did with James Sizemore recently in front of Kay. James's dad was the last Nimrod pilot to be lost in Laos in 1969. It was thought that he hit a mountain in the dark, but the team that investigated the site found evidence that the airplane was hit by ground fire and most likely shot down. Anyway, we will play part of this interview during lunch. Later this weekend, I'll post a link to it for those interested. His dad and the navigator, Maj Andre, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 23 Sept. Some more KIA/MIA finally brought home where they can be honored for their sacrifices. Come out and join us to see just how hard our guys are working to finish these airplanes and get them flying again! Cheers, JR

[tulsaboy]

JR-
Special request... in that last photo you posted of the control yoke, you can just see the Douglas dataplate in there. Could you post a clean photo of that for us data plate nerds?

Thanks! And keep up the great work.

kevin

[A26 Special K]

Kevin: this is about as good as we can get on the data plate for now. It was redone by OnMark and shows our current serial number 64-17679. I will try again later for a better view. JR

[tulsaboy]

Thanks, JR!

[A26 Special K]

Keeping our eye on the prize!! I have several pictures and reports to post, but it just so slow going what with this webbing between my fingers and toes. The green has faded, but sure will be glad when the O2 Lady removes the pox. I saw Dean over the weekend. He is not much better off. Rivet rivet... JR

[A26 Special K]

Our engine overhaul funding campaign continues with the challenge that for every dollar we raise, it will be matched, but we are starting to see the one year deadline looming. Please help us return the A26 to flight sooner rather than later. You may contribute by going to our sister non profit foundation: http://www.a-26legacy.org and using the donation button on the lower left corner of the webpage to use your credit card or if you would rather send a check, please mail to: Mr. Don Vogler, A-26 Legacy Foundation, 311 Oak Grove Pkwy, Durham, NC 27703. We would very much appreciate your support. All contributions are tax deductible. Our goal is to have the airplane flying next year for the reunion of A26 vets whom we intend to honor. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

The nose wheel is back from overhaul. It's a beautiful thang! The tire, not so much. Need to find another 36 SC tire. We were pleased to have Nelson E. from Breckenridge take a look at K this morning and he was complimentary on the work we have done so far. He will be among many looking forward to seeing her fly. Just gotta keep on truckin to get her done. JR

[A26 Special K]

It is my sad duty to report that the B-25 Pacific Prowler has been sold and is no longer part of Greatest Generation Aircraft. She has a new home in Mt Pleasant, Texas, and will be well treated without doubt by the new owner. Sure will miss her. Will get to fly with her again when the A26 is done hopefully. Might still make that formation flyover at Kyle Field for an Aggie game. JR

[CAPFlyer]

Is it to the same owner who purchased several of the Fagen aircraft? If so, he seems to be buying several airplanes lately. Wonder if he's starting a new museum out there.

[Obergrafeter]

Is it to the same owner who purchased several of the Fagen aircraft? If so, he seems to be buying several airplanes lately. Wonder if he's starting a new museum out there.

Nope!!

[Warbirdnerd]

Is it to the same owner who purchased several of the Fagen aircraft? If so, he seems to be buying several airplanes lately. Wonder if he's starting a new museum out there.

What Fagen Aircraft have been sold?

[CAPFlyer]

Is it to the same owner who purchased several of the Fagen aircraft? If so, he seems to be buying several airplanes lately. Wonder if he's starting a new museum out there.

What Fagen Aircraft have been sold?

Sorry, typo. Meant to type Yagen. Apparently 2 or 3 of Yagen's planes were bought by a gentleman in Mt. Pleasant.