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

[A26 Special K]

Everybody keep fingers crossed that nothing else breaks. Fast taxi may happen either April 15 or 16th or the following weekend. We are anxious to see how well our engines and props perform at high power settings for takeoff. Not ready to fly yet, but that can't be too far off. We would love to make an Airshow in the near future! Check out our Facebook page for pictures from England AFB back in the 60's as taken by Rudy K who worked on Kay then among others.
www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

Last weekend saw more details completed. The left nacelle repair is done and ready for closure. The right carb heat is now working smoothly. The left one needs some more persuasion. Left carb is ready to run. The new nosewheel will be finished next Saturday. The 3 in 1 engine gauge was sent off for repair under warranty. As soon as it is installed and lines purged of air, the right engine will be ready to go. I certainly appreciate all our guys continuing to work so hard while I've been away! Can't wait to get home. Y'all come see us in the near future to see the action. Regards, JR

[A26 Special K]

For our A-26 vets who follow this page, we received 26 pictures of England AFB and NKP A-26's from Rudy Kozole who was assigned as a young Airman to work on -26's and later C-7's and C-123's in 68-69. We are publishing these on our Facebook page which is open to the public and no login required unless you want to comment. We would be glad to answer any questions here if you don't do FB. Try it out. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

The 3 in 1 gauge is back from repair. The new nosewheel should be installed on Sat. The Stick Actuator gets back from the sandbox. The weather should be good. Sounds like it is time to run the engines and go for a ride around the block. We feel the need for speed!!

[Ztex]

It was good to see Kay out side with some life in her last weekend!

[A26 Special K]

Thanks Zane for posting these pics. We found the right carb was misbehaving again. Pulled it off and took it to shop. Another $1300 spent. We hope to have it back on Saturday for another go at fast taxi. We have been posting some pics on our FB page that were taken back in the 60's at NKP and other places like the Eglin range and England AFB. Be sure to check this out. We are getting close to being ready to weigh the airplane and make final prep for the first flight. Be sure to come see us at the VFM hangar on the weekends!

[A26 Special K]

Happy to report engines and carbs are much happier. A fast taxi was accomplished and we found a fiesty gal that sure wanted to fly. We have some tweaking to do on the left engine and a dead spark plug to figure out. The long awaited left nacelle repair was done so now we can hang the main gear doors on that side. The taxi was a baby step toward the goal of flying but it was an exciting day for the Kay Krew. It has been about seven years since she has been on a runway. We have been at this a long time and can finally see the goal line! Video has been posted on our Facebook page.

[A26 Special K]

We have a special speaker coming to the Vintage Flying Museum on Satuday, April 29 from 10 am to noon. Alfredo Maza is a Cuban who was hired by the CIA to fly B-26's in the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. He later was a crewman on the newly overhauled B-26K during the Congo campaign. This was the first combat use of the airplane before the Vietnam conflict. Come hear Alfredo's stories and ask your questions of a man who was there when history was made. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

[A26 Special K]

Weather may keep us from running down the runway tomorrow (Sat) but our guest A-26 history maker is still speaking. Don't miss this opportunity to hear this first person account of flying for the CIA in the 1960's! We just posted a new video of last week's engine start on our FB page. Check it out if you like round engine noise and smoke. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

We were pleased to find that Kay's story was given two pages in the latest "Aviation History" magazine, July issue. As we get closer to flying in the next couple of months, we expect to have even more coverage of the event. We are fitting out the cockpit with a camera and several other locations outside of the airplane to help document the flights. Stay tuned! JR

[A26 Special K]

The last rivet was put into the left nacelle gear trunnion support area. We pulled the panel off five years, 8 months and four days ago from last Sunday to inspect that area. It resulted in a lot of fabrication, sheet metal repair and engineering to correct all the problems, but it was a case of do it or leave open the possibility of another gear collapse. So while it may not sound like much, it is a huge milestone for the team. Next weekend is slated for another engine wash then run to see if we dried up the new oil leaks from the previous run down the runway. Last but not least, we want to wish our avionics guru, Larry, a safe trip to the land beyond the Red to reconnoiter the AF Museum's K model. We can't wait to hear his report!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Posted new video of the hi speed rollout down the runway.
http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

The left engine has some ignition & oil leak issues that were found last Sunday. The left gear doors had to be refitted to accommodate the nacelle repair. Once those are done, the plan is to get her ready to weigh. No doubt with all the armor plate, wing and engine mods done by Douglas and OnMark, kay will be the heavy weight of A-26's, but then we shouldn't reveal a lady's weight, right?

[A26 Special K]

Further inspection of the left engine found the need for four replacement cylinders. Cylinder assemblies with pistons etc were quoted at $2100 each. Harvey is not happy and when Harvey is not happy, nobody is happy. The gremlins are back. It was Harvey's job to keep them away after he evicted them. Who can you depend on nowadays if Harvey can't seem to keep it together?? We are speculating the gremlins sent over a good lookin' girl bunny to distract him. It happens even to the best of us.

[A26 Special K]

BTW, if you don't know about Harvey, your education is incomplete. It will help if you Google the filmography of Jimmy Stewart as he made a very informative movie about Harvey.