Warbird Information Exchange

Thank you very much. That's close enough to a schedule for me. My days of worrying about late take-offs or an early morning "go" are over for me. I'll see ya'll in Destin.

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Bob
Memories of Naked Fanny
More Memories of Naked Fanny (Nov 2013)
609th Nimrod, Bomb loader, Gun Plumber, '68 - '69

Do you have any specific information on the "A-26 veteran dinner on Sun evening." I can't find anything on it.

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Bob
Memories of Naked Fanny
More Memories of Naked Fanny (Nov 2013)
609th Nimrod, Bomb loader, Gun Plumber, '68 - '69

Sent you an email with contact info. Regards, JR

Our A-26A flies over the Air Commando Association memorial service on 15 October 2017. Three cameras, one on the ground and two on the plane. Full disclosure the cockpit video is flipped to make the tilt correct as the two airplane cameras are pointed in different directions.

I'm particularly fond of the silhouette of the airplane on the ground as it crosses the Hurlburt Air Park!

In the aircraft are Tim Black (who flew this airplane in the '60's) on the right, Steve Swift on the left, with Gus Gustafson (who flew with Tim Black) in the back. Tim and Gus are Nimrods who flew with the 609th Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phenom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

https://youtu.be/QzEzhBn8-oA

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Hawkeye Poole
https://www.youtube.com/c/hawkeyepoole
franklin@pgctv.com

Nicely done Hawkeye, as usual. Nicely done.

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The real JR

I really enjoyed that too. Great video!

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Cheers, Zac in NZ

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid

We got thru the storms after the Hangar Dance last Sat night. Got in another flight which went splendidly. We are planning to take her over to the Fort Worth Alliance Airshow this weekend. Chase plane is going too. One of our acquaintances is bringing a very rare Beech Starship. The Induction Ceremony for the National Aviation Hall of Fame takes place there on Sat night. Big doings in Fort Worth this weekend. Drop by, see Kay and all the other aircraft. The Navy is showing up with their F-18 formation team... whatz their names? Oh well...

Hangar dance was a huge success. Great fun for all. Ditto on the Alliance Airshow. We have commenced the second wave of crew flight training and expect two more DC-B26 type ratings before long. The FAA never changed from the 1947-48 type designation when the USAF changed back to A-26 in 1966 when the airplanes went to Thailand. Since that was a Special Operations designation, it would be understandable that the FAA was not notified. In the FAA Aircraft Registry, Kay is still carried as a B Model. Apparently, the Air Force and CIA never disclosed there were 40 K models either as they never intended any of them to be in civilian hands. But here we are, the only flying K model and the only one not in a static museum! We will be going into winter maintenance before long in order to be ready for the next Airshow season. We have just posted some videos of an engine shutdown and prop feathering test on our public Facebook page. No login or membership required to view. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

We plan to continue operating Kay in training mode until Dec 12th when we enter winter maintenance. So far Kay is running okay with 25+ hours added to the flight log. Winter maintenance will focus our attention towards the RH Aux tank. We continue to wait for an opening at the paint shop. Everything is set, paint on hand, just need a slot. Come see us, the other JR posts daily on FB.

Had a really nice visit at the Alliance air show with Dale Adams. His dad flew the Martin B26 in the ETO and had the distinction of being shot down by a ME262. After the war he flew for On Mark until his untimely death in 1962. We have been looking over some of his photos from On Mark including the yellow and white "Initiator V" N40Y.

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The real JR

We posted a new video of the lastest takeoff last Sunday on our Facebook page. Be sure to check it out. We are probably going to put her in winter maintenance after 27 Nov. We have lots that we want to do before we go to paint. It looked like we might get an early slot but that didnt pan out as expected. Actually, this will work out for the best looks like. There is also a great air to air shot by Craig Rembold of Kay just before sunset that is featured on our FB page. Try it out. No login or membership required. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

We were proud of Pat getting finished with his A-26 type rating today. Congratulations are in order! Steve went along to assist. Kay is safely back in the hangar. She is done flying until winter maintenance is completed perhaps by next April. Larry and Chuck tagged along to Sherman to make sure the launch went ok. It’s always good to have backup with a 72 year old airplane. Lots to do this winter besides paint. When we have a show schedule finalized, will be sure to let you know. Happy holidays to everybody!

Nice pass over Prop Wash the other day! My house is about a 1/4 south of RWY 35.

Its finally turned Christmas season in North Texas. We were 84 degrees last weekend, freezing today. Plans are to take Kay outside early Saturday for a well deserved power wash. Once FIFI is finally settled in for winter maintenance we can get to work on Kay. Plans include tackling the right aux fuel tank among other things.

This Saturday is the annual VFM Christmas luncheon. Always a good time to visit with all the crews and volunteers.

DC3 Christmas light flights are going strong. Seats still available. www.GGA1.org to book a seat.

All we lack...

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The real JR

To be clear, the VFM Christmas potluck luncheon is at noon on Saturday, Dec 16. It is for members, tenants and their families of the hangar. While it might be a good day to visit the museum, please avoid the noon hour so that we can have some time to eat, visit and share flying stories! Those who are still able to get up from the table will be glad to show you around afterwards. Happy Holidays everybody from our family to yours!

Luncheon was a big success! The team removed the stress plate on the right inboard wing in order to pull the Aux fuel tank. Today. We are happy to report that the “Tank-ectomy” went well. It will be used as a pattern to build a new one. Work continues on other winter maintenance and inspection items. Everybody is pretty well settled in until March or April when the show season starts again.