Warbird Information Exchange

I have one complete with bushing in a box of stuff left over from when I used to maintain a few A-26's way back when. The rubber is harder than a honeymoon .... well, you know,..... it's hard..
Give me your address and I will get it headed your way.

Muraski

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Expert:
Ex: Former.
Spurt: A drip under pressure.

Indeed, just what we needed. Many thanks Mike. Sure appreciate the help. Never know what might be laying around the hangar and not realize that somebody really needs that. Guess that is the beauty of this forum. Anyway, our Crew Chief JR is very happy and has already got a plan to install it. This should help straighten out the fit of the cowl ring a bit. Thanks again, and come see us when we come to your area.
Regards, The Other JR

Also on our request list, we need the brackets that attach the cowl ring to the cylinders especially the lower ones. If anybody has such, please PM me. Otherwise, we will have to make them and it just eats up so much time. We are trying hard to speed this coming out party up. JR has been working on the cowlings themselves getting them prepped to go back around "Mona" and "Lisa". This means he getting serious about wanting to do engine runs. There are so many small details yet to be done though. Guess it is Spring fever that wants us to get the airplane done. All we need is time, money and good people, right? Could use a little of each if anybody is willing!! From the Republic, The Other JR

It was a great day in Texas. Got rain yesterday and beautiful sunshine today. The guys hit some big licks on the detail work getting all hoses and lines torqued up properly and sealed on "Mona" and a good start on "Lisa". The "Wire-Chasers" went over to Buba this morning to see about the pitot-static system as to whether it was leaking any. It will be tested officially on Monday so the CAF guys really appreciated the help. They came back with a good report so no sweat on Monday. Buba is due out this week for Dyess AFB and the big show next weekend. There is going to be a bomber parade like you have never seen before. Be there. If things go right, then Buba will go to the Right Coast for the DC flyover on May 8 for VE Day. We are just getting more and more anxious for Kay to join the parade. Overall, JR was pleased with the progress on Kay with several hands making some big contributions. There was one glitch in that the right T handle did not start the prop feather pump as it should. It shut all of the fuel, oil and hydraulic valves ok. More work for our "Wire-Chasers". We also had two special guests to visit today and had a great time showing them around the airplane. Work continues on FiFi in our hangar trying also to get ready for the DC flyover. She may come out with a slightly different look as we see several areas taped off for painting. Stay tuned and perhaps Hawkeye will post some of the video he shot today later. From the Republic, The Other JR

Just returned from a ride in the B-25 Panchito in Maryland. It was worth leaving the Republic for a couple of days & missing all of the bad weather around the DFW area. I think I heard on the radio driving home from the airport that the Weather Service was saying 8 confirmed tornadoes. Sure glad we have all the airplanes inside where they are protected from the high winds, hail & heavy rains. So much for the springtime in the Republic. Work continues next w/e so be sure to come see K finishing up her makeover! JR

We were very pleased for Jim Farned to drop by for a look at Kay. He was a mechanic on A26's at NKP from '67 to '68. AND his specialty was A26 wiring!! Right when we needed someone who had experience with the prop control system wiring, he appeared out of the blue to answer our questions. Never ceases to amaze me how things happen this way. We need cash, people with the right skills or parts & what have you... Just shows up at the most critical time. This is just another great example! JR

For those who live in the Abilene area, the airshow this weekend promises to have some big surprises. Won't give them away, but something is going to happen that has never been done before. This will be an historic moment. Be there or miss out!! Be sure to bring video cameras! JR

Practice day at Dyess AFB went great yesterday. Our hangar mate, the CAF A-26, performed very well & generated enough speed that, for the first time, a B-1 was able to fly formation with it. It was awesome! Can't wait for K to join the fun. If you are in the Abilene area, come on out to this two day show. For openers, ACC ROE requires a 150 ft separation but it still looks great. Video of the first practice is at www. Facebook.com/invadersquadron
From the Republic, JR

...back at the ranch the Kay crew was hard at it. Kudos to Ray our master metalgician for creating the structure for our fire bottles. Easy to install and maintain, Ray has all the bases covered. I'll be heading out to Signal Hill to pick up the blow out discs we will use as fire bottle external indicators. Preflight will be a breeze.

Larry & Bob worked Friday to dress out the No 2 nacelle, so it was ready for the rest of us to install the oil tank. Thanks to Tim, Mac and Joe the oil tank is finally installed and complete. Joe, a long time ago member of the crew showed up to finish installation of the various lines installed under the No 1 nacelle fairing. While all that was going on, Alex our engineer was manufacturing the brackets needed to install the No 2 engine cowling support ring. What we had was seriously out of alignment. Throw some engineering at it and it will be as good as new. Larry took some time off for grandson's T ball. Right after the ump said "game over" Larry was in the cockpit with his meter. Sad to report the verdict is in and the No 2 prop feathering switch is officially FUBAR. Not to worry, we have a replacement sourced thanks to ILS. And not to forget Hawkeye. He fed the team with grilled chicken, baked beans, assorted fruit and his better half's potato salad. Weather was great, come see us, bring the kids.

Our neighbors, the FIFI crew were hard at it too. Big Dog leaves the dog house on Monday headed for the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, World War II Victory Capital Flyover in DC. Friday May 8th is the 70th anniversary. As my Gramps, a WWI vet would say "big doins."

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The real JR

While I was gone to Dyess AFB with the CAF A-26, the Kay guys soldiered on as previously reported by JR and that is very much appreciated. At the Dyess airshow, we first flew with a B-17 from the Lone Star Flight Museum down the showline together while a B-1 caught us from behind and passed us at 600 knots on the outside. Smokin'!!! Then we came back around for the join up with the B-1. BUBA generated enough speed for the B-1 to fly in tight on our left wing for another pass. You just haven't lived until you have seen a B-1 tucked in tight. It was the most awesome thing I have ever seen in an airplane. My face is sore from grinning so much. This actually was a history making event. It was the first time that the AF has approved an A-26/B-1 mission like this, but it was the 30th anniversary of the B-1 entering service so it was a big part of the celebration. The A-26 is fast enough that the B-1 did not have to lower any flaps although the wings are fully forward. After the practice on Friday, we were offered a chance to fly the B-1 simulator with the new glass cockpit upgrade. This simulator can be linked to other cockpits to fly mission scenarios with other bombers or fighters. It is extremely compelling to watch where you are going at 500 ft and 1.2 Mach. The fidelity of the graphics is very good. Knowing some of the territory out in NM where we were flying over, it was easy to pick out the various landmarks and towns. The thing was we had left from Abilene just a few minutes before. It was one of the best airshow experiences ever. Toward the end before the Thunderbirds performed, a 3 ship fly-by of the B-1, B-52 and B-2 just took your breath away. Thanks to the folks at Dyess, the CAF maintenance crew for getting BUBA in shape to perform and to the Kay guys for continuing the work that will make Kay the premier A-26 in the fleet. When it comes her turn to fly at airshows, I only hope we get the same opportunity to fly with another great airplane. The link to many pics and videos is on the Invader Squadron FB page. http://www.facebook.com/invadersquadron
The Other JR

Our avionics guys are saying we need to replace one of the prop feather switches, PN 5008-2. If you happen to have one laying around, would like to hear from you. Please PM me. Thanks, JR

Well, we didn't make it to the DC flyover with K or Buba, but Tim's Silver Dragon sure looked good. We want to congratulate all those who took part in the event. Glad an A-26 was represented. Perhaps at the next event, both of our hangar mates will be able to attend. I am envisioning a mass flyover of A-26's at some venue in the future. There are several in restoration and more flying every year. K being the last one of the last 40 the AF operated during the unpleasantness in VN could perhaps participate in a VN memorial. A proper homecoming is long overdue these vets. Our group aims to change that. Anybody want to help?? JR

We had another good day working on Kay. David & Rand finished up the install details on the No 2 oil tank. Over on the other side Ed was installing the newly overhauled No 1 vacuum pump. While he was at it Ed completed the gang drain that ties all the pump case drains into one line. The other Dave, B had a trip cancel so he spent the day installing Adel clamps on the No 2 prop lines. At break time, Paige, the Kay crew pasty chef brought a still warm home baked cherry pie. Boy was that good. We savored it for about 10 seconds, then tore it up right under Kay's right wing. A long time crew member Jim S worked on paperwork. We have an FAA approved Aircraft Inspection Program, so the jobs are not done until the paperwork is completed. Good stuff as it keeps the aircraft safe. We also use a two person sign off process, and use torque seal on items. This helps us keep track when an items in completed.

We had a visitor Russ B who was an Airman 1st Class at NKP 66-67. Russ was part of Task Force Alpha. You can read all about it if you look up Operation Igloo White.

Throughout the day the thunder storms passed thru and dropped much needed rain. Even at this early hour on this Mothers Day, the storms continue to be active all over North Texas.
Happy Mothers Day to all, this crew chief is off the SOCAL with my better half and T the third wiper.

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The real JR

While JR is off to the land of milk & taxes, we hope he & his assistant find some good places to visit.... maybe find us some parts!! There is no such thing as a vacation for an airplane restorer! While the Chief was away, some of the troops did a major clean up of the nest. It is looking really good now. More work was done on the engine details to get them finalized. This past week of storms & the forecast of more of the same makes us somewhat nervous but so far so good. Power was off for a couple of hours on Sunday but it was light enough to continue working. We will miss JR next Satuday .... unless Paige sends another cherry pie! I'm sure I can handle his piece! The Other JR

This just in from station KAYE in Ft Worth: JR and T have acquired the fire extinguishing system blow out discs we were looking for in the LA area. This is another component of the system that will allow us to immediately check if the bottles have had a discharge while doing a walk around pre-flight inspection. Stay tuned for more coverage as this system comes together and have a mighty fine day! The Other JR