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

[rdennard]

Hey JR... thanks for your thoughts.

You can check out the books either at amazon or at my web site. There is another book about to be finished off too. It's "More Memories of Naked Fanny". It has stories from guys from the entire time NKP existed as a U.S. base. The stories include Randy's time with the "Big Eagle" deployment. This book is in the final editing and I'll post here when it is ready. Here's the web site.

http://www.memoriesofnakedfanny.com/

Bob
Nimrod '68-'69

[A26 Special K]

Bob, I think it is important to include your information on the website because folks don't need to be left with the impression that the A-26's were the only things working Special Ops at NKP. There were a bunch of other types of aircraft. In fact, the Duck Drivin Lady's airplane, the PLBA as it is often referred to here, ok for those who don't know, the O-2, was based there with the Forward Air Controllers who worked with the 26's, 123's, A-1's and others. (She claims the aux engine, ie, broom, has been removed and the new rear engine installed. She says she is just waiting for the annual inspection to be signed off to start flying "Steely Tiger" around again. Fair Warning, due to Sequestration related budget cuts, the FAA will not be issuing a NOTAM on this event.) Now where was I, oh yes, even the Navy was there with P-2's for awhile and they weren't looking for submarines in Laos. I had several friends who flew Jolly Greens out of NKP as well. While I am sometimes reluctant to admit that I have friends who were helicopter pilots, I make exceptions for these guys. We need to show where the A-26's fit into the overall scheme of battle tactics and strategy. To put them in a context makes it much easier to see just what a heck of job they did against really bad odds. Man, I am concerned about just navigating the airplane around the local area and I can't imagine doing it without important Nav aids like GPS, in the dark, over mountains and jungles with people with big guns who have every intention that you not interfere with their truck convoys on the HCM Trail. Unbelievable that they were as effective as they were, but it took a team of other airplanes to make this all work. JR

[A26 Special K]

While looking for A26 videos, I ran across this account of a German nightfighter pilot and how they intercepted Lancasters in WWII. The video recreates the attack by using an A26 as the nightfighter while the German Ace talks the pilot into position behind a Lancaster..... but all over Lake Erie. Both airplanes are simply gorgeous and the story is incredible... talk about doing your best work in the dark! Enjoy... and wouldn't it be great if Special K could be used in making a movie about the work of the Special Ops guys in Laos? Cheers, JR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gi6UOoKItY

[A26 Special K]

Ah, back to the restoration... any idea of what this area might be? Hint: it is in the aft end of the right nacelle . It is a system that we have to get started on soon to get all the plumbing lines made. No ponies this time, just an attaboy or attagirl whichever is appropriate. JR

[bdk]

Nacelle toilet?

[A26 Special K]

Fire extinguisher bottle is the closest answer even though it looks more like the second answer.... I'm just sayin. This system is the one most extinguished in the airplane for some reason. We are having to rebuild all of the plumbing for it plus get the bottles sent off for overhaul, testing and refilling. This will take some time and is some of the big reason we won't be flying by October as we had hoped. The other biggie is the fact that we need to overhaul the engines that these fire bottle protect. Our campaign to meet the matching donation challenge is still going on. If you can help, please send a check to the A-26 Legacy Foundation, attn: Don Vogler, Chairman, 88 Fitch Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452. It is tax deductible since it is for a 501c3 charity. Your $5 becomes $10 for Special K. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

The Collings Foundation is bringing their B24 Bomber, P51 Mustang, Me262 and B17 Flying Fortress to Ft Worth Meacham Airport, April 1-3. They will be offering rides and tours and have invited GGA to join in the fun. We will be offering C47 rides at a discounted price during their visit: $99 for one, two for $189...normally $200. To book, call Dana at 817 659 9249 or email greatestgeneration@yahoo.com.
What a sight this will be for photographers as well!! JR

[Obergrafeter]

Ouch, those fire bottle overhauls are expensive! Just finding a Cartage Company that will transport them is a feat in itself.

[pjpahs]

My trip keeps getting better and better. First was only going to visit VFM and then Collings will be there and now I'm on the 4 pm. flight in the C-47 on Monday.

[A26 Special K]

Welp, Sasnak, you asked about that "Attaboy" so we turned it over to the judges. It is a matter of tense. You see, originally, both fire bottles were mounted on a platform in the left nacelle, there was nothing in the right nacelle in the picture that we can find in the Illustrated Parts Catalog. So that's the past tense and your answer would have been wrong. Howsomever, in the present tense, we intend to make that area hold a fire bottle so we have one on each side. It makes sense now that we have to reconstruct all of the plumbing and wiring to just make this change. The number one aft nacelle is plumbed for a putt putt APU, but the K's never had them that we can discern. We are the point of considering putting K on a diet because of increasing weight so we opted not to put in an APU that we had spotted. The judges have determined there is just reason to award you an "Attaboy" for being the closest guess. Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

My trip keeps getting better and better. First was only going to visit VFM and then Collings will be there and now I'm on the 4 pm. flight in the C-47 on Monday.

Great... I will be out to the hangar about 11 am, give or take a few. See ya there!! JR

[K5DH]

My trip keeps getting better and better. First was only going to visit VFM and then Collings will be there and now I'm on the 4 pm. flight in the C-47 on Monday.

What day are you planning to visit VFM? I'll be there on Sunday. I'm always interested in meeting other WIXers in person!

[pjpahs]

I'll still be traveling on Sunday and my plan is to visit Monday,possibly as soon as it opens. Will the Collings tour be at VFM or at the other end? Either way I will be there most of the day since I am flying on the 4PM flight in the C-47. Isn't there another open air park just down the street? I think I remember one and plan to visit there also. I'll look it up and educate my GPS. Which reminds me , has anyone ever used an automotive GPS unit in an aircraft just to see what it does? My guess is it will show a car travelling 150 mph at 2000 ft altitude going all over the street map,with the lady repeating "recalculating" over and over. I'm gonna try it if I can get enough satellite coverage thru the window.

[A26 Special K]

Monday, April 1, the Collings Foundation tour of their B-17, B-24, P-51 and Me-262 will be parking near Sandpiper Aviation's ramp which is close to the main terminal at Meacham. GGA's C-47 will also be giving rides during this time from the terminal ramp. If you have signed up for a C-47 ride, follow the signs in the terminal to the briefing room. About the air park, it is located just south of the airport. Go about one red light south after pulling out of the NW 38th St. where the VFM hangar is and turn right. It is just a few blocks west.
Not sure what time the Collings folks will start operations, but I expect it will be fairly early if the weather is good. Round engines don't like starting in cold weather, however, there is a chance of rain during the time period which may be the real problem instead of cold temps. Keep fingers crossed for good weather!! I will be at the VFM hangar around 11 to show the A-26 if anybody else is interested. JR

[A26 Special K]

Don't forget the Collings tour airplanes will be at Meacham Monday, April 1 and stay 3 days. Our own GGA DC-3 will also be available for rides on the terminal ramp in conjunction with Collings starting about noon. There is a 4 pm scheduled flight, but I haven't heard about the rest of the schedule yet. Should be good airplane noise with a B-17, B-24, P-51, Me 262 and our Douglas Racer. Contact info for Dana is on our website: http://www.gga1.org May the Easter holiday have been grand for everybody and maybe even the bunny left a few morsels of choklet for the good boys and girls! I, myself, got passed over on the candy. Not on the good list, I reckon. So I will be at the VFM hangar about 11 am for a bit if anybody wishes to come over and look at the A26 or bring me some choklet..... just don't tell my Diet Drill Sgt, the Duck Drivin Lady. JR, the Hungry.