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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Re: B-26K Counter-Invader Restoration ("Special K")

Sun Jan 15, 2017 9:08 pm

Hey guys my dad worked on A-26's with the EPA out of Vegas and was wondering if the two of us could come down and help out one weekend. Not sure what you need help with but would love to come and help one weekend.

Kevin

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

Mon Jan 16, 2017 5:58 pm

Kevins, w e open up around 0530 every Saturday.

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

Mon Jan 23, 2017 9:26 pm

Lots of progress to report. Engine fire extinguishing system has been completed. The emergency air brake system is getting close. Taxi time is getting close.

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

Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:42 pm

pop1 Fantastic news!

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

Thu Jan 26, 2017 6:10 pm

We have some details left to go and to install the left engine cowling. It is looking doable to be ready for first taxi tests as soon as the B-29 moves out of the hangar in Feb. After the test, we will open things up to make sure no leaks have appeared and make ready for the first flight. New pics have been posted on our FB page. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

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

Sat Jan 28, 2017 10:52 pm

We can put a check mark next to the fire extinguisher. Miss Kay now sports a fully functioning two bottle Halon 1301 system. Emergency air system components are all in place with a 500psi test charge. Keeping fingers crossed the system holds its charge when we return in the morning. If so, we can proceed to final installation. The team installed the No 1 cowling, plus we manufactured and installed nose wheel grease seals. All the access panels had new ID stencils applied. Check mark next to all those items. Our big neighbor FIFI is making steady progress towards her 2017 debut. Two more weeks and we will be outside turning 120 into smoke and Kay should moving under her own power for the first time in almost seven years.

All we lack is finishing up. Yes really!!

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

Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:45 pm

:supz: Great stuff, JR! Fantastic!

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

Tue Jan 31, 2017 5:40 pm

There are new photos and videos updating our progress plus a visit by Nimrod pilot Joe Jefferis to see his favorite airplane. No login required, http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

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

Sat Feb 04, 2017 4:52 am

We just received word that FIFI is scheduled to go outside Thursday for run up. Her winter maintenance included a No 2 engine change. This is good news to us as it means we will follow her outside and start our runs. A few tweaks to the emergency air brake bottle install, service hydraulics, bleed brakes are some of the open items remaining. We still have some squawks left from the last run that need ops checks. These shouldn't prevent us from taxiing Kay. Long pole in the tent remains the left main trunnion closure panel repair, aft end of the nose wheel well repair final, fair the nose gear doors, install & rig the left main doors, weight & balance, sign off the inspection program, pitot-static & transponder checks, etc. We've got to keep a close eye on fuel as I want to weigh with zero fuel.

When will we fly? Like the other JR says, "Saturday, we just don't know which one."

From the heart of our beloved Cowtown, where the 2017 Stock Show is history on Sunday, all we lack is finishing up!

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

Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:16 pm

Image
We had a very nice visit from the last man to fly Kay. Al Maxwell helped prepare and then fly the airplane from Billings, MT to Ft Worth, TX. He was impressed with what we have done to fix 'er up since he nursed it home. Al flies the other former Lynch Air Tanker, "Fire Eaters" in the Houston area. You may recall it was used in making the movie "Always". Kay contributed her engines and props which were stock for the B model at the time so that the airplane that ruined its engines making all those retakes of the out of gas landing could finish the picture. Kay later got R-2800 CB-3's and 43E60 props out of the deal which put her back closer to the original. The CB-3 just doesn't have high blower like the CB-16 for the most part. Anyway, we were happy to see Al and hope he comes back again. He helped get us started on the project. We very much appreciate that. JR

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

Thu Feb 09, 2017 11:38 pm

Progress was made today on the repairs to the left nacelle and the emergency brake system was just about finalized. It just needs an overnight leak check. The T-33 is now airworthy and ready to be a chase plane when Kay is ready to go. We put it on display today at the grand opening of the American Aero FBO in the newly renovated Meacham Airport Terminal. Had many nice comments on the facility and the T-Bird. More progress is expected on Kay this w/e. Getting closer to taxi time!!! :D

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

Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:34 am

Last weekend was beautiful as far as the Texas weather was concerned. Testing the hydraulic system... well, not so much. We had a problem with the reservoir which decided it needed replacing. Fortunately, we found a spare although it needed overhaul. The sight gauge glass was missing so we tried one from our old one. The gasket leaked so Tim and JR came up with a plan to fabricate a new glass and gasket. It turned out to be much clearer than the old one. So we are just about ready to install the tank again and resume testing the air brake system. This coming weekend should see it finalized. Dan is getting close to finishing the left nacelle repair. Scott has cranked up the stencil cutting machine and is making the 100 plus stencils for the external placards that will be painted on after the airframe paint job is done. Lots of other details will be attended to by the rest of the crew. We can see daylight as soon as the B-29 leaves the hangar on tour this month. Good progress!!

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

Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:09 am

Progress continues on Kay. The hydraulic system is back together and ready for bleeding the brakes. The nacelle repair should be completed on Saturday. A retract test is in order to make sure nothing has changed on the gear and to see the left hand main doors work after the repair. New seatbelts are being installed on both seats. Will be ready soon for taxi tests!! Pics are posted on our public Facebook page. Membership is not required to view. If you don't want to join but would like to comment, ask here or PM me.
http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

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

Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:34 pm

Hydraulics are back in service. We had a hiccup with the aux pump. We were using it too much and it blew a current limiter. A quick change and we were back in business. Later Saturday we serviced the reservoir, cycled the bomb bay doors numerous time and bled the brakes. Video will be posted to FB. Canopy and dog house are sealed with 1422 thanks to Chuck. Tim and Jim applied the final coat of sealed to the wood fairings, installation complete. Larry worked on the installation of our new inertia reels. Tomorrow Dan should finish up the structural repairs to the left main outboard trunnion.

The DC3 was wheels up at oh dark thirty for the Georgetown, Texas Airfest. Sitting the the right seat was none other than Rand. Ed finished the mods to the Beech 18 tow bar. While that was going on, Dave, Chuck and yours truly R&R'd the left tank drain valve. We defueled using 5 gal buckets and transferred into the right tank. Everything's nice and dry, looking good!!

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

Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:31 pm

Thanks for the thorough progress reports trJR! Softly, Softly, Catchee Monkee... :wink:
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