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

[A26 Special K]

Here the gear is rotated to meet the trunnions. This a delicate operation as everything has to be aligned just so so. JR

[A26 Special K]

With the gear in place, Big Tim is tapping it ever so lightly to align everthang* and mate up with the trapeze. JR

* Note to all who don't speak Texan, "everthang" is sometimes understood to mean "everything" in other parts of the Union.

[A26 Special K]

Now, it is understood that it ain't aligned until our resident Nimrod pilot and mechanic says it is aligned!! Joe Maynard helped out this morning to see this big milestone through to the finish! Thanks Joe. We appreciate you and all of the other Nimrods, Big Eagle and other A26 folks so much! JR

[A26 Special K]

The team has the gear installed and now supports the strut until they are ready to let it down and then top off the strut with nitrogen.

[A26 Special K]

The gear was made ready for the wheel to be mated and then everybody got really excited. No, not because it was lunch time, but because the time was getting closer to let her down off the jacks finally! JR

[A26 Special K]

Mark is servicing the nitrogen level in the strut. We left Big Mike in the wheel well behind him to catch the airplane just in case the strut gave way when we let it down off the jacks. Yeah, he is that strong!! JR

[A26 Special K]

In a coordinated fashion, Tim and Mark let the jacks down so that the gear would take up the load. Wow, what a grand feeling! The only thing that is going to take getting used to is that fact the fuselage sits much lower now. We are used to just walking under it.....well, except for Too Tall Tim. He has to duck no matter where he is, but for the rest of us, this will take some getting used to again! It is worth it though. This couldn't have come at a better time. Besides Fall Fling on the 13th of Oct, the VFM 40's Hangar dance is the 20th. We needed to be outside by then. Also, the VFM is sending a team out to AZ to load up the A-3D that has been donated to the museum and will become a static display. The "Whale" or "All Three Dead"' as it was affectionately called will be arriving some time in November. The VFM team would like to use our jacks to do the job. JR

[A26 Special K]

Ta Dah!! There she is!! Sitting on her own 3 feet again. Ahh The real JR and team have done a magnificent job! Many thanks go to these dedicated folks. Can't wait to hit the tour and airshow circuit with them. We are going to have some great times as well as honor those Viet Nam Vets this airplane symbolizes. It will indeed be a huge opportunity to tell their stories. It is time for it to be told! JR, the pilot

Last edited by A26 Special K on Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[A26 Special K]

It is just too pretty to hide!! Just one more shot for Amy!! Oh yes, forgot to mention that we had to say farewell to one of our oldest, ie, longest, team members. Amy took a great job in Tucson with Bombardier. She was among our youngest, but she made some tremendous contributions to the restoration. Her work in the tail on the horizontal spar carry thru structures was something only she could have done. She spent so much time back there, we got her a change of address card from the Post Office!! We will name that section "Amy's Place" as she is the one who made that all possible! Many thanks, Amy!! The gang all says hi and we miss you! JR

[A26 Special K]

Some of the team worked this morning to finish out most of the rivets on the leading edge of the right hand stabilizer so we can have it ready to hang next weekend. Some of the team left early, however... namely our Floor Manager, Inu, had his driver pick him up out front of the hangar and head home for chow. We wonder if he is also a back seat driver? The funny part about it is that Arnold gets a lot of folks who want to take his picture... ah, no, not Arnold, but Inu on the bike. I also am wondering if there is any safety issue here. Shouldn't Inu have his own googles and helmet?? And what about "leathers"? JR

[Lightjug]

Yep, the left gear was installed today. JR

Congratulations on this milestone

[A26 Special K]

Yep, the left gear was installed today. JR

Congratulations on this milestone

Thanks very much. WE appreciate when somebody notices that we are actually making the return to flight that much closer!! Stay tuned!! Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

Anybody notice anything missing? Yep, the brake assembly. We mainly wanted to get the airplane on the gear so we could tow it to our Fall Fling on Oct 13. If we have time, we will take the wheel back off and do the installation. This coming Saturday, we will be mounting the right horizontal stabilizer hopefully. Be sure to drop by and see the team in action! We might even share our donuts with you! Cheers, JR PS, the strut is still holding up perfectly!!

[A26 Special K]

This is the 'lectric fuel pump in the bomb bay of the 26. We are looking for a source for these electric fuel pumps: TFD 6600-2 and -3, plus TFD12100-1. Would appreciate any leads on these.
Also looking for the small hubcap and snap ring that goes over the nose wheel bearing. The wheel is a 36 SC, Goodyear 34874-A. While we are at it, need a new tire (non diamond tread type) to go with it, also 36 SC. Please post or PM me with any leads on any of these things besides the obvious of "try Aero Traders". I am doing that one as we speak!! JR

[skymstr02]

That looks very close to the boost pump on the B-17. We got ours at S & T Accessories in New Braunfuls, TX.