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

[A26 Special K]

We have decided to install Garmin G 5 attitude and HSI indicators in Kay. Looks like we are in good company since FiFi and Diamond Lil are doing the same thing. We will keep the ancient steam gauges to reinstall if and when she goes static at a museum in the future. This is in the interest of reliability and better utilization of our GPS capabilities. We plan to be operational with these new gauges by the end of August.

[A26 Special K]

The Sept issue of Air Classics has a photo story about one of Kay’s sisters 17642. It was lost along with its crew over Laos. The photo was taken at Andrews AFB in 1966. Interestingly, the underside was a creme color while the top was SEA camo. The airplanes didn’t get the black underside until slated to go to NKP. Note also that the Congo mod for the carb air scoop had not been installed. The national insignia was also removed and the tail code changed to TA before going to SEA. Good article. Can find on our Facebook page which doesn’t require a logon. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

Work continued with the inspection on Kay. We took the right main wheel to the shop for a new tire having done the left one some time back. The installation of the Garmin G-5 attitude and HSI is progressing and may be ready for a smoke test by next weekend.

[A26 Special K]

The right main wheel has been reinstalled. We are close to buttoning up the cowlings and pulling out of the hangar for engine runs. Replaced the right generator so need to check that for leaks we have to do calibration work on the G-5’s outside so hope to get that done this weekend while it is only 102 deg. We know, people from Phoenix would be asking for a sweater here by comparison. We got lots of water to consume! Stay safe!

[A26 Special K]

Well shucks, we got interrupted by having to shuffle the hangar to get the C-47 out so it could run engines after its annual inspection. However, we did see the Garmin G-5’s light up for the first time in the panel. They passed the smoke test, but still need calibration and engines running. Maybe this coming w/e will get that done. The CAF B-24 is back in the hangar but haven’t heard how long before it departs on tour again.

[A26 Special K]

Posted photo of new G-5’s lit up for the first time on our free public Facebook page. No login required to view. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

The new Garmin G-5’s talked for the first time today to the G 650 and other parts of the system successfully. Will post a pic on our public FB page tomorrow. Everything is about ready for engine runs and possibly flying next weekend. Stay tuned!

[A26 Special K]

New G-5 pics are posted. We are planning to try them out this coming w/e. No login required. www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

The G-5’s worked as planned this morning. Had a quick ground school with 4 Stick Actuators. It’s just marvelous what can be found on YouTube in the way of instructional videos. Once you have a clue where to look for things and how to bring the menu up, life is good. These things have so much more to offer than the old HSI. Wish we had done it sooner but we were holding on trying to keep it original looking. Next w/e, we will have some training flights and a shakedown cruise to make sure we are ready for the St Louis show the first w/e in Sept. Come see us if you are in the area. The RAF Red Arrows are flying in the show. It promises to be a real spectacular. Be sure to buy tickets from the show’s website as no tickets are sold at the gates.

[A26 Special K]

Both engines were run up this morning successfully. The G-5’s were sure pretty all lit up with data from the 650. The generator that was replaced worked with no oil leaks noted. We will put the dishpan back in the nacelle and be ready to fly next weekend. The Stick Actuators whined about the air conditioner being inop. Go figure!

[A26 Special K]

Three training flights for our crews today.... the air conditioner is still inop. When the Crew Chief was informed, he gave a courtesy shrug of his shoulders and looked at us for symptoms of heat stroke. He did offer a cold bottle of water which was a lifesaver though. So we had a transponder not squawking altitude, but that was a relatively easy fix. The last flight was cut short by generator issues. More work to do tomorrow on it. Hoping this does not cause a cancellation of going to the St Louis Airshow next weekend!

[A26 Special K]

We are in beautiful downtown Chesterfield, Mo for the Spirit of St Louis Airshow. The Red Arrows and Blue Angels are here. Lots of other acts will hold their own and the Clydesdale horses will be around to sell some product. Kay will fly in the show both days. Saturday should be a great day, Sunday might have some rain. Get your tickets online. They do not sell at the gates. Parking lots open at 0830. Gates and static’s open at10 am. This promises to be an awesome show. Don’t miss out.

[A26 Special K]

Indeed, the Spirit of St Louis show delivered on its promises. Don’t think we have ever seen a lineup of performers like this before. The Red Arrows are incredible and then they threw in a flypast with a Spitfire. The F-22 demo showed some new (to us anyway) maneuvers especially in the vertical realm. The two Heritage flights of the Navy F-18 and Bearcat and the Air Force F-22 with the P-51 were awesome. Kay led a B-25 and B-17 around the patch a couple of times with three fighters on top cover. There were a huge number of other acts. Check their website for a complete list. We are here for one more day and hope the weather cooperates with the show and our flight back to the Republic.

[A26 Special K]

Another successful airshow for Kay and the T-33 at Midland over the past weekend. The Midland folks were as gracious as ever and seemed to enjoy it. Just guessing, it seemed to an even bigger crowd on Sunday after the word got out. We saw several people who came both days. The B-17 didn’t fly on Sat due to a mechanical issue but did on Sunday as did our T-33. The pyro was huge for all the fighters but especially the bombers. It was just warm enough to make the cockpit seem like a sauna, but was perfect for the spectators. There were two sequences that featured VN era scenarios which pleased us greatly. VN needs more recognition and appreciation for those vets. Our next appearance is next w/e at the Terrell show. Don’t miss out! Kay will be on static display and fly during the one day event. Should be nice weather as it starts cooling off soon.

[A26 Special K]

Kay has been very busy the last couple of weeks. She completed the show at Terrell two weekends ago. We just finished the VFM 1940’s Hangar Dance and A-26 vet reunion. We gave rides to six loads of vets, wives and some offspring. It had been over fifty years for most to be around a live, running K model again. There were many smiles! We just delivered her to DFW Airport for the aviation careers student expo followed by a charity fundraiser for distressed military families. Last year, it raised $3.1 million for assisting vets in our area. Kay will come back to Meacham on Sunday morning. In two weeks, she will launch over to Ft Worth Alliance for their show. The last weekend of the month will be working the CAF Wings over Dallas airshow, Dallas Executive Airport. The season is almost over so winter maintenance can start. We will probably start shows again in March. When the schedule is firmed up, we will post here and our Facebook page.