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

[Warbird Kid]

Good news! The gun nose has been reinstalled on Kay. The guns and ammo boxes will follow shortly. The Outside Temperature probe was mounted that will connect to the new glass instrument on the copilot’s side so it will display TAS (True Airspeed). Gear swings are coming up after we get the bomb bay doors back on. There are numerous items left on the list such as installing the newly overhauled carbs and cowlings. The cockpit painting is nearly ready to go if not too cold after Christmas. The tail cone will go back on soon so we can test the nav lights and rotating beacon. When airworthy, we plan to take her over to Kevin Miller’s shop for paint touchup on the exterior and get the nosewheel well done that we didn’t do on the first restoration round. Overall, there is light at the end of the tunnel so we can back on the airshow road. We have several shows lined up with more to come. Will announce the 2022 schedule when completed.

Any chance at any events in the NorthEast?

[A26 Special K]

So far, Selfridge is about as close as we will come to the NE. Nothing in the works that direction, but if we find something that works, will try. Pease AFB is high on our list of like to do’s. Just need to pair it with a couple of other shows to make it economically feasible.

[Warbird Kid]

So far, Selfridge is about as close as we will come to the NE. Nothing in the works that direction, but if we find something that works, will try. Pease AFB is high on our list of like to do’s. Just need to pair it with a couple of other shows to make it economically feasible.

Well I would suggest calling the National Warplane Museum at Geneseo and see if they'd be interested. I could see that B-26 being a bit hit.

[A26 Special K]

Haven’t checked in awhile, but they only have grass strip, correct? Kay is restricted to pavement only so no can do.

[Scott Rose]

Just updated the Registry Entry for Special Kay


http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26regis ... 17679.html

[A26 Special K]

Nice shot. Look closely behind the pilot and can see the Flight Engineer taking a picture in the seat behind. Anyway, thanks Scott for updating. Can add this bit. Kay was built at the Long Beach plant as a Block 45 B model in Dec 1944. She was delivered the next month and transferred to England. Upon return, she was in storage for a few years before being converted to a target tug. In 1961, she was selected to become one of 16 B and C models used to train crews headed to Vietnam in the 4400th Combat Crew Training Wing. In 1964, she was delivered to OnMark for modification into a K model and was the last off the line in April 1965. She became part of the 603rd Air Commando Squadron.
We are making good progress on the preparations for resuming the airshow circuit. First appearances should come towards the end of April. The annual ground school for our crews will take place the first w/e of March and flying/training should start soon after.

[A26 Special K]

Big milestone today. The hydraulic system was pressurized and it held 1000 psi with no problems. We got the bomb bay doors back in place and just need to finish up the rest of the hardware before attaching the hyd actuators. Getting ready to do gear swings soon. An A-26 ground school for our folks is planned for March 6 and we hope to resume flight training not long after. We have been working on the airshow schedule for 2022 and while there are doubts about whether the Spring shows might be canceled due to Covid, we are putting contracts in place anyway. If we can go, we will and if not, we will just try again next year. With a max effort, we could do up to 17 shows. Most are for Kay, but some are for the T-33 or both airplanes. Holloman AFB, for example, will be both. We did that show some years back when we were operating a B-25. Had a great time. Looking forward to another good event. Just need to get as much winter maintenance done before the cold sets in for February.

[The Ripper]

Big milestone today. The hydraulic system was pressurized and it held 1000 psi with no problems. We got the bomb bay doors back in place and just need to finish up the rest of the hardware before attaching the hyd actuators. Getting ready to do gear swings soon. An A-26 ground school for our folks is planned for March 6 and we hope to resume flight training not long after. We have been working on the airshow schedule for 2022 and while there are doubts about whether the Spring shows might be canceled due to Covid, we are putting contracts in place anyway. If we can go, we will and if not, we will just try again next year. With a max effort, we could do up to 17 shows. Most are for Kay, but some are for the T-33 or both airplanes. Holloman AFB, for example, will be both. We did that show some years back when we were operating a B-25. Had a great time. Looking forward to another good event. Just need to get as much winter maintenance done before the cold sets in for February.

Any chance of you guys heading back to AirVenture again?

[A26 Special K]

AirVenture is not on our radar for the next couple of years due to the cost and our income losses from show cancelations. When in better shape, we will go again. Thx for asking.

[A26 Special K]

We made good progress last weekend. The bomb bay doors were actuated for the first time in nearly two years. The left one still needs some adjustment but that will not take too long. The cockpit floor is nearly ready to paint. Just needs a little more prep and warmer temps. Might happen today. Next step is to install the overhauled carbs. Then gear swings and a few more sheet metal items should lead up to control cable tension checks and a new weighing for weight and balance. The transponder/pitot static checks are due for IFR certification. After a few test flights, we will take her over to Kevin Miller’s shop for a touchup on the paint and to do the nose wheel well as that is an area we haven’t painted before. It is a race with Covid and cold weather to see when we finish prepping for show season. We are really looking forward to getting back on the circuit.

[A26 Special K]

The carbs are installed. Need to finish the cockpit to install the seats and canopies next. Installing the airscoops will get the engines ready to test run. We have the usual inspection items, weight and balance check plus transponder/pitot checks left to do. Our nose jack went tango uniform so have to get it fixed before we can do the gear swing. We are shooting for a run over to the WASP Museum’s fly-in on 30 April for our first appearance. That’s in Sweetwater, Tx where they trained in WW2. Drop by if in that area.

[A26 Special K]

Cold weather and ice put the kaBOSH on work last Sat. So some of the guys will double up during this week to help us get back on schedule. Two of us attended National Warbird Operators Conference in Corpus Christi. Weather wasn’t much better, but we picked up some good info and had a good time on The Lexington for dinner. The demise of 100 LL by 2030 was a top concern for us R-2800 engine operators. We will hold our annual crew training next Sunday at VFM to avoid taking work time away from Kay. Coming up March 31, T -Bird One will be on static display for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce meeting on 31 March at Meacham. Still hoping to have Kay at Sweetwater for the WASP Museum on 30 April. Holloman AFB, NM is scheduled for both airplanes the first weekend in May. Several other shows in the works, but it remains to be seen whether the situation in Ukraine causes some shows to be cancelled as the bases get busy.

[Kyleb]

The demise of 100 LL by 2030 was a top concern for us R-2800 engine operators.

Is there no engine operating chart covering fuels with less octane than 100 LL? I remember some of the older (and possibly less stressed) radials could use 89 or 90 octane with boost restrictions.

[A26 Special K]

Our 2800’s were designed for 115/145. We are already working on lower octane, 100LL, and derated power. 100 Oct is as low as the manual goes. To derate further is unacceptable for performance during take off. Then there is a mechanical issue with valves that were designed for leaded fuel. Next concern is the cost of the replacement fuel. Even if it works in the engine, is it going to be affordable? Aviation fuel is such a small segment of the overall market that fuel makers may not retool for the new fuel. These old engines do not have adaptive electronics to adjust for differences in octane and alcohol. Alcohol as an anti knock element in car gas won’t work in the fuel systems or engines of old aircraft. Water/alcohol was used for anti-detonation at take off power in the A-26 but was in a separate tank and used sparingly. We don’t have that system anymore. Anderson Aeromotive has been running a 2800 in the test cell to see if they can address the no lead dilemma. We have not seen any conclusions yet. 2030 may see a lot of warbirds parked if cost and efficacy are not solved. That would be a huge loss to history and for the owners. If a 3 million dollar airplane is suddenly worthless because it can’t fly……

[bdk]

Is there no engine operating chart covering fuels with less octane than 100 LL? I remember some of the older (and possibly less stressed) radials could use 89 or 90 octane with boost restrictions.

From the AT-6/SNJ Type Certificate Data Sheet:

Engine Pratt & Whitney Military model R-1340-47, R-1340-49, R-1340-AN-1 or R-1340-36
Fuel 87 min. grade aviation gasoline

No boost restrictions.