Warbird Information Exchange

Crew Chief JR reported two successful trial runs down the runway between rain showers yesterday. The next run will be up to 53" of MAP to see if we are close to 212 BMEP. Yep, Kay has a Torque meter. It will also help identify which engine has failed in the event that happens. The team removed the pylons to cut drag and is buttoning up all loose ends. Our newly overhauled fuel transmitter in the left main tank is being installed today. The old one got to be a little shaky. All we lack is finishing up! Less than 1% left on the initial to-do list.

This past week, there was a dedication at the US Air Force Academy of a plaque honoring the Academy grads who served in the A/B-26 for part of their careers. Several of the Nimrods whom we have met in the course of Kay's restoration were listed. Roger Graham, author of "Nimrods" and a grad, did the speaking honors. Randy R took pictures for us and we have posted these on our public Facebook page. There is a great shot of the plaque with A-26 history. Be sure to check it out at http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

Big day planned at museum on Sunday. Kay will probably do a couple of test runs as well as the T-33. Both are close to being ready to fly. All we lack is finishing up!

The engine runs were successful on Kay. Got the prop Gov's evened out on same rpm. Both are making good power. The gear swings were right on. Not only that but all of the controllable oil leaks were dried up. The cowlings were dry after the run for the most part. A lot of work had to be done to get the doors fitted perfectly when closed. Now all we need to do is lubricate the gear and flap tracks to call those systems ready. One gremlin raised its head in the cylinder head temp gauge. It quit working on one side so off to Wichita it goes. It has been a long, incredible journey but we are almost there. We will fly some first and then try for painting. Stay tuned!!

The fuel transmitter was replaced in the left main tank after the newly overhauled unit went T.U. It was sent back to the shop for another go. The CHT gauge was also sent off for repair but a newly overhauled one was ordered to speed things up. The wing pylons were removed to save about 500 lbs and some drag for the first flight. We will do a careful weight and balance calculation to make sure it falls in the CG envelope for takeoff and landing. Nearly everything is ready to go when we get the CHT gauge back and the insurance man gives us the "Omni Omni VOR" blessing. The 75th anniversary of the first flight of the prototype was on July 10, 1942 by Benny Howard, famed Douglas test pilot. Wouldn't it be cool if we could hit close to that date?

CHT gauge is back and being installed. Ready for one more engine run after the final airframe inspection. The launch countdown has begun for the morning of July 10.... It will be 1942 all over again... all we need are Mr Douglas and Bennie Howard, the test pilot to recreate the first A-26 flight. Kay is now 72 years old and enjoying her makeover. We just hope she doesn't turn camera shy at the last minute.

Champagne is on ice, and many thanks for bringing us all along for the ride in this thread and on facebook.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Hear hear. What an amazing journey and what a privilege to follow along and contribute when possible. Bravo to all involved, bring on July 10!

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

It is a fine Sunday morning here in the Republic. Be a great day to pull her outside for an engine run to see if the CHT works now. We have been inspecting everything so now it is time to check that we didn't miss anything. Should give us time to fix any problems before the big day. The launch countdown continues this morning with fueling etc. It has been nearly 7 years since the airplane arrived from Montana. We are excited about the future possibilities. We think it is time to start planning a gathering of A-26's!

Good luck on the first flight! Fingers crossed everything will go as planned. It seems as you guys have had alot of surprises along the way.

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Since Photobucket decided to charge retroactively to host our pictures, we no longer will use them. Unfortunately, we can't go back and replace the hundreds of pictures, it would just be too time consuming. We are within days of flying the airplane for the first time. Look for pics and video on our Facebook page, http://www.Facebook.com/a26specialkay

10 July 1942, Douglas test pilot Benny Howard eased the throttles forward for the first A-26 flight. We are going to make a commemorative flight with Kay for the 75th anniversary. We will roll out of the Vintage Flying Museum hangar at Meacham Airport about 9 am on Monday, July 10th. Join in the fun if you can. Two big radials make an awesome sound. Don't miss out, call in sick!!

If you can get me the pictures I will restore the images on this thread and host them on the WIX server.

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Scott Rose
Editor-In-Chief/Webmaster
Warbirds Resource Group - Warbird Information Exchange - Warbird Registry

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Wah Hoo!

_________________
Keep your PDI centered!

_________________
Scott Rose
Editor-In-Chief/Webmaster
Warbirds Resource Group - Warbird Information Exchange - Warbird Registry

Be civil, be polite, be nice.... or be elsewhere.
-------------------------------------------------------
This site is brought to you with the support of members like you. If you find this site to be of value to you,
consider supporting this forum and the Warbirds Resource Group with a VOLUNTARY subscription
For as little as $2/month you can help ($2 x 12 = $24/year, less than most magazine subscriptions)
So If you like it here, and want to see it grow, consider helping out.



Thanks to everyone who has so generously supported the site. We really do appreciate it.

Follow us on Twitter! @WIXHQ