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

[A26 Special K]

Uhmmmmm...... well, it appears there was a modification to the brass door on K. There is nothing on the back side of it now. That's why we were wondering because the book showed exactly what you had in the schematic. I remember Holly Hunter pulling down the door in the nose on the C model in the movie "Always" and climbing up in the cockpit because both engines were already running. As if... but it had a drop down ladder on it. Still purty tight even for a small person to climb thru. That first step would be fairly high too. Amazing what young people can do! BTW, there is a connection to the movie and K. Denny Lynch provided the two A-26's and did some of the flying along with Steve Hinton as I recall. And Denny also owned K. JR

[NImrodA26]

After seeing that picture of the recon access door, I think I can safely say that none of the first 8 Invaders deployed to NKP plus the two that were ferried over later had that type of door. I think I would have remembered that. Somewhere it was said that the K models delivered to the AF also were supplied with glass noses. Maybe at some time it was changed out, possibly while Denny Lynch had it?
I can tell you from experience that it is possible to wiggle your way from the gun nose into the cockpit. A young, skinny kid I used to know did it!! Of course, there were no ammo boxes or guns installed. We had to change out a gun firing relay in one of the junction boxes and it was not easy to get to as I remember. The pilot reported "runaway guns". He said that when he let off the trigger, the guns kept firing. That relay was the culprit. Anyway, after laying up in the nose changing it out, it seemed easier to wiggle on up into the cockpit rather than try to back out.

[A26 Special K]

Randy, you are correct. All the K's came with two noses. One for recon and one for "let's git it on" with 8 50's. Did the fella with the stuck relay burn out his barrels?? I bet that was a heck of lot of lead going in one direction. Bad guys might have gotten the idea that somebody was mad at them?? Anyway, I'll try to put up a pic of the "new" nose door as I think it was just a sheet of metal that was cut and fitted to the hole. I'm in NJ again enjoying the freezing temps and drizzle. Was an interesting flight to Newark today. Also, want to give a shout out to the folks at Zip Chem. They donated a case of D-560NS general purpose cleaner and degreaser. JR and the guys tried it out. They highly recommend it as some of the best cleaner they have run across in awhiile. It is odorless and easy to work with even in a closed hangar. JR is not easy to please when it comes to cleaners and so if he is impressed, it must be good stuff. Thanks!! More tomorrow! The other JR that's wishing he was back in the Republic tonight!

[A26 Special K]

So this is what we found when we openeed the bottom nose gun door. Definitely looks like a post crash replacement. We may see if our magician Ray can do a better job with a new one later and/or place the AOA probe there if it lines up with the airflow properly. More cool stuff to think about it. Frozen in NJ, JR

[NImrodA26]

I think I can definitely say that was not the original door.

[A26 Special K]

Was looking up to the top of the forward bomb bay and noticed the big round tube like structure for the first time. Just happened the area was lit up since the guys were working on the bomb bay door actuators. The wide black straps were used to support the forward bomb bay fuel tank. It had a 125 gallon capacity but was not filled more than 100 gallons. Beyond 100, it could vent fuel during acceleration which could be ignited by the operation of the electric flap motor nearby resulting in a possible explosion. Now, back to the tube like structure.... Randy, did that have anything to do with fueling this tank? If not, any idea what it was suppoed to do? JR in the frozen north.

[NImrodA26]

........ Randy, did that have anything to do with fueling this tank?

I don't have a clue what it is. I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the armament system. I remember seeing those bombay tanks before they were removed, but really didn't pay any attention to them. Lindsey Jackson would probably know what it is. Bet you wish you were back down south, eh! 38 degrees here seems like a heat wave compared to the -4 we had earlier this week!

[A26 Special K]

JR reports another productive day today. I was sorry to have to miss it especially since Hawkeye fixed lunch. David and Rand fixed the hydraulic leak in the brake control valve that was discovered last week. We keep discovering little details like this that must be dealt with before we can take the next step like install the instrument panel. On another note, heard from Tim Black that the Air Commando Association along with the Nimrods are planning the next reunion in Ft Walton Beach, FL, the weekend of Oct 17th. We would very much like to have K ready to make her debut there. The race is on!!! The other JR, gettin wet in NJ....

[A26 Special K]

Hmmmmm, just what part of an A-26 is this?? Mystery question of the week!!

JR, still wishing I was in the Republic!

[A26 Special K]

Another detail taken care of by Lou. The old access plate was torn on the edge so he fashioned a new one and installed on the elevator. Lots of airframe repairs like this have now been completed. There were far more than first estimated because a closer look on both sides showed hidden damage underneath in many cases. The second consideration was that since we had it apart, would be better to get rid of scab patches and clean up everything. Lou, Miguel and Ray have done a great job with this. Thanks guys! JR

[One-0-Wonder]

Hmmmmm, just what part of an A-26 is this?? Mystery question of the week!!

That part of the A-26 would be the forward fuselage of a T-33 as viewed from the rear with the tail section removed. Do I win a pony?

[Mark Allen M]

One of the first A-26's for inspiration.

[A26 Special K]

Hmmmmm, just what part of an A-26 is this?? Mystery question of the week!!

That part of the A-26 would be the forward fuselage of a T-33 as viewed from the rear with the tail section removed. Do I win a pony?

Sharp eye, but, sorry, no pony!! That is indeed a T-33 split in half as part of the inspection being done on our neighbor in the hangar. Should be flying before long. Then it will be changed from the Canadian AF paint job to the USAF style. Lookin good, there Crew Dawg. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

Mark: thanks for the inpiration. Yup, that is one of the earliest A-26's for sure. Lots of giveaways, but the cockpit canopy is very obvious and one of the biggest complaints by pilots which led to the present arrangement to improve visibility. Prop spinners were taken off as I recall to improve engine cooling, but don't quote me on that one. The periscope in the rear gunners comparment can be seen sticking out of the top. The turret was remotely operated. Not so clear is how the intakes were changed for the oil cooler system. This improved the aerodynamics of the wing. The older style acted like stall strips and the area of the wing behind them had a disturbed airflow as can be seen in air tuff tests in the windtunnel. There is a youtube video of it that I wil try to find again and post a link. This is a very special wing since it was the first large aircraft to have a laminar flow wing with Fowler flaps to improve high end speed but allow an approach speed not too different from the other WWII bombers in use. The A-26 was the fastest piston twin bomber the USAF ever had. After the role was changed from medium altitude bombing to the attack mode, as one Nimrod later put it, his A-10 was an A-26 that was 100 knots faster. Anybody spot other differences between early A-26 and subsequent? JR

[Mark Allen M]

Your very welcome JR and thx for the information, great stuff. BTW what would you say is the device in the nose hanging down. Outstanding thread you have going. Always interesting and very much enjoyable to spend time reading. One of the very best WIX has to offer. Keep up the great, great work.

More A-26 photos to come if interested. Got lots of em!

Mark