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

[A26 Special K]

Perfect weather prevailed all three days of Wings over Dallas. Kay flew solo in the show on Fri and Sat. On Sunday, we had a Bomber Conga line led by a B-17 and followed by B-24, B-25, two A-26’s and the B-29 bringing up the end. Overhead were a pair of P-51’s, P-63 and Hellcat. Don’t reckon this lineup has been seen in some time. Had a grand time meeting people and showing the airplane. The T-33 also got to make some passes as a “Glimpse into the Future.” The P-80 first flew in 1944 so it is considered to be a WW2 airplane with the T-33 first being dubbed the P-80C in 1948 when the need for a trainer became evident. Now that we are finished with the season, we will start winter maintenance this coming Saturday at the Vintage Flying Museum Hangar. Come see us if you are in the vicinity. We will be there working most weekends until mid March.

[RyanShort1]

I got to see her being painted and she is gorgeous.

Here are some Special K shots from Wings Over Dallas.

From Friday on the ground:


DSC00542 by Ryan Short, on Flickr

From Saturday:


B-26K Special Kay at Wings Over Dallas 2018 by Ryan Short, on Flickr


B-26K Special Kay at Wings Over Dallas 2018 by Ryan Short, on Flickr


B-26K Special Kay at Wings Over Dallas 2018 by Ryan Short, on Flickr

There are more photos in the Flickr album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmuVxvn7 but expect them to be gone in about a month thanks to Flickr's new policies.

[A26 Special K]

Nice shots Ryan! Thx, if you wouldn’t mind, please post your photo of Kay in the pass with the bombbay doors open. Would like to post it on our Facebook page with your permission. If anybody else has a similar shot, please PM me or post here. This is the first time we have opened them at a show. They have been tested previously, but we weren’t sure how well they showed up from the ground. We naturally slowed down the first time and worked our way up gradually on speed to see how they behaved. We don’t have the bay spoilers that the original used to disturb the airflow in the bay. At speeds above 240, the flow kept the bombs from dropping out. Spoilers resolved that problem. We have the drawings and could build the spoiler system, but since we aren’t dropping anything besides pumpkins, there is no rush to complete them. We have started winter maintenance so there is a big list of things we want to do before our show season starts in March. Replacing the right Aux fuel tank is the biggest item since the wing has to be opened up. Stay tuned and check out our FB pg. No membership required to view. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[Scott Rose]

I've always loved the Counter-Invaders best, and this is a beautiful example.

[RyanShort1]

Nice shots Ryan! Thx, if you wouldn’t mind, please post your photo of Kay in the pass with the bombbay doors open. Would like to post it on our Facebook page with your permission. If anybody else has a similar shot, please PM me or post here. This is the first time we have opened them at a show. They have been tested previously, but we weren’t sure how well they showed up from the ground. We naturally slowed down the first time and worked our way up gradually on speed to see how they behaved. We don’t have the bay spoilers that the original used to disturb the airflow in the bay. At speeds above 240, the flow kept the bombs from dropping out. Spoilers resolved that problem. We have the drawings and could build the spoiler system, but since we aren’t dropping anything besides pumpkins, there is no rush to complete them. We have started winter maintenance so there is a big list of things we want to do before our show season starts in March. Replacing the right Aux fuel tank is the biggest item since the wing has to be opened up. Stay tuned and check out our FB pg. No membership required to view. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

Here are the three best I have with the bomb-bay doors open.

You've got my permission and please feel welcome to use them with proper credit.

It was fun seeing the plane painted and great to see her fly!

Attachments

[airnutz]

Badazz Bird, nice job guys. Great photos Ryan!

[airnutz]

Oooops!

[A26 Special K]

Winter maintenance in the winter is a momma dog! We are deep into the inspection program and installation of a new fuel tank. Number one engine has been gone through with many new pushrod tube seals to help dry it up. Number two gets the spa treatment tomorrow. Lots to do yet so keep track on our Facebook page. No login required. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay
Our 2019 airshow schedule is starting to gel. Will post as it develops.

[Snake45]

Hi! I apologize if this has been covered/discussed/already, but frankly I don't want to wade through 266 pages just to find the answer is not there.

And it's a pretty simple, easy question. When the B-26Ks were remanufactured by On Mark, did they get a new data plate with the FY 64 serial number and showing On Mark as the manufacturer? And if so, did this new data plate replace the original Douglas plate, or was it just added next to it or nearby?

Thanks in advance for your help. LOVE what you're doing with this airplane, BTW.

[A26 Special K]

OnMark modified the B & C models into the K with extensive changes. The AF gave it a new SN 64-17679 which is what we placed on the vertical per the original. OnMark had data tags on specific parts that it manufactured. There are Douglas and OnMark tags in the cockpit. 34198 was the previous AF serial number. The FAA ignored the change in model designation because there were never supposed to be any K models in civilian ownership so the FAA registry still has her as a B model. It shows it as an Experimental but not because of the changes. Many surplus Invaders were converted to exec transports with a Limited category, but that practice was limited to the late 40’s. After that, any A-26 or B-26 as the designation was changed to when the AF split from the Army had to be given an Experimental category even if the two (pre & post) were exactly alike. The designation was changed back to A-26 when the K’s were sent to NKP in 1966. However, the FAA Registry still uses the B-26 designation to this day. When filing a flight plan or working with ATC, they still call it a B-26. Part of the ignoring the changes was due to the CIA and AF keeping the K’s classified. No paperwork was ever filed by either with the FAA about the modifications, nor was it required for a military aircraft. Only the transfer from the AF to the State of Georgia Forestry Service for three airplanes was the first clue the FAA had that any were in civilian ownership. Kay is the last flying survivor.

[Snake45]

OnMark modified the B & C models into the K with extensive changes. The AF gave it a new SN 64-17679 which is what we placed on the vertical per the original. OnMark had data tags on specific parts that it manufactured. There are Douglas and OnMark tags in the cockpit. 34198 was the previous AF serial number. The FAA ignored the change in model designation because there were never supposed to be any K models in civilian ownership so the FAA registry still has her as a B model. It shows it as an Experimental but not because of the changes. Many surplus Invaders were converted to exec transports with a Limited category, but that practice was limited to the late 40’s. After that, any A-26 or B-26 as the designation was changed to when the AF split from the Army had to be given an Experimental category even if the two (pre & post) were exactly alike. The designation was changed back to A-26 when the K’s were sent to NKP in 1966. However, the FAA Registry still uses the B-26 designation to this day. When filing a flight plan or working with ATC, they still call it a B-26. Part of the ignoring the changes was due to the CIA and AF keeping the K’s classified. No paperwork was ever filed by either with the FAA about the modifications, nor was it required for a military aircraft. Only the transfer from the AF to the State of Georgia Forestry Service for three airplanes was the first clue the FAA had that any were in civilian ownership. Kay is the last flying survivor.

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I really appreciate it, and thanks again for all you do.

[A26 Special K]

We are very pleased to see Kay on the cover of the Feb. issue of EAA Warbirds magazine. The photo was shot by Scott Slocum and the article was written by Budd Davisson. Kay is also the centerfold with a shot from above and the vents open on the chem trail tanks!

[A26 Special K]

The EAA has posted two new Warbird videos on YouTube about Oshkosh last summer. Kay is featured in part of one along with many other Warbird types and the other is exclusively about Kay and her history. For the first time, a Stick Actuator discusses her flying characteristics. The easy way to find them is to look at our public Facebook page. No membership or login required to view it. So y’all are invited!

http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

Kay has a new right hand Aux fuel tank installed. It has been a race to get it done and off the engine support jack before our neighbor in the hangar is ready to go outside and test a newly overhauled number 3 engine. We have to move Kay in order for FiFi to get through the door. The rest of the inspection is going well. The pitot static system and transponder check were done this week. Kay is equipped with ADS-B out and a 406 ELT. She is certified for IFR. Our airshow schedule is starting to fill up. We are even getting requests for next year already. We will post the schedule here and on our Facebook page when it is completed. The Vintage Flying Museum at Ft Worth Meacham Airport is having a fly day on March 16. Several aircraft including the B-24 will be selling rides. We hope to be flying by then. Check out the VFM website for more info and to book a flight. A couple of us will be attending the National Warbird Operators Conference in Tuscon next week. It includes a tour of the DM boneyard. Will send back some reports!

[A26 Special K]

The National Warbird Operators Conference came to a successful conclusion on Sunday in Tucson. We had good weather for the tour of the DM Boneyard and a close up look at an active A-10 from the 357th Fighter Squadron. Their patch has the phrase “Ugly but well hung” on it. Of course, the reference is to that big ol 30 mm Avenger gun. This just continues to be an amazing airplane. We had all sorts of speakers and breakout sessions. Snow hit Tucson on Friday. The May 8, 2020 flyover of DC to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe will have about twice as many planned aircraft as the last time. It will be nothing short of spectacular to honor the Greatest Generation’s accomplishments. We have put Kay on the reserve list to go if there is an opening. She went to England in 1945 so it would be appropriate for her to participate and represent the three major wars that A-26’s were used in by the USAAF or USAF. We have been posting pictures from the boneyard on our FB page if anybody wants to see them. No FB login required. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay