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

[A26 Special K]

Yesterday, I got to crew the other A-26 in the hangar over to the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake airshow. We hit the T.O.T just right to fall in behind the B-25 Devil Dog to make passes at show center over the lake. Some silly Zeros thought they were going to catch us. Wrong... but the P-51 and P-40 shot them down anyway. Then we did some individual passes. It is always fun to go roaring across a lake at 250 mph low level. Never get tired of it. A couple of photo passes finished us up and we zoomed back home before BUBA could make up his mind he would like to stay. Some attaboy's for the CAF crew that got BUBA ready to go!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Saturday was a productive day in spite of all the other activities around the hangar. Larry and Stan have just one more instrument to install in the panel and it should be here this week. Larry said he might get it done on Wednesday. So what do ya'll think of it? JR

[Rod Schneider]

Saturday was a productive day in spite of all the other activities around the hangar. Larry and Stan have just one more instrument to install in the panel and it should be here this week. Larry said he might get it done on Wednesday. So what do ya'll think of it? JR

I think it's very nice work!!!!

[Al Moore]

It looks spectacular! Thanks for being so diligent with the updates. K will look super sweet when she is done.

Last edited by Al Moore on Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

[A26 Special K]

Speaking of the Cedar Creek Lake airshow, found this nice video of the action. Besides the WWII aircraft and Buba, you might spot a Russian Hind heli and two MiG 17's. There is also a T-37 Tweet and a Caribou. How often do you see these at an airshow over a lake. Makes for quite a setting. Have to say I really enjoyed flying in it, but would like to have been on the lake too!!! Nice... JR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lnhy2WipZE

[A26 Special K]

Rod.. Al... thanks for the comments. Can't wait to get it all finished. JR

[rdennard]

Very nice work on the panel.

[A26 Special K]

Thanks Bob, we just need our HSI to come from shop and to make one metal plate that will go below the radio stack to almost have it done. There are a few minor details yet to deal with such as proving out the avionics gear. Did I mention that we will be IFR capable and have ADS-B in and out compliance? So hope we are ahead of the game for awhile. Well, hey, as we speak the UPS truck just drove up with our HSI. What luck.... Larry may have it installed by Wednesday of this week. Doing the Happy Dance in the Republic... JR

[A26 Special K]

Excitement builds for next Saturday as to whether we can hang the left engine. Ol Ichabod Crane is all charged up and tested for the lift. All of the repairs are done on the nacelle. The accessories are installed. One wire from the vibrator to power source remains to be fixed, but can't be finished until the engine is mounted and the cannon plug secured. Then Stan and Larry will tackle that one remaining item. BTW we wish David A good luck tomorrow on his type rating checkride in the GGA DC-3. It is hot enough in the hangar now that we should have a good dousing with champagne on Saturday for him to celebrate, right?? Hmmm, on second thought, maybe we should just use water and not waste the champagne?? JR PS On third thought, as scarce as water is in TX, maybe we should use something else. Any suggestions?

[A26 Special K]

Mystery part of the week!! What is it, where is it and what does it do?? No pony prizes but maybe a star by your name!! Game on! JR

[K5DH]

It's located at the aft end of the left wingtip fuel tank, but I have no clue on what it's for.

[fwnelson]

The tip tanks on the K have a fuel dump valve so if you activate fuel dump that's where the fuel comes out. Don't recall using it very often.

[Obergrafeter]

Relief tube for really tall maintenance personnel!

[A26 Special K]

Dean, you were on the right track so you get a third of a star by your name. Frank, you got it right so you get a full star. Do you recall why you used the dump system? Usually, I'm told it was because of engine failure shortly after take off or any time a landing was going to be made because of the restriction of not having any fuel in the tip tanks. Seems that put too much of a bending force on the wings. Ober, no star, but good try!! Oh BTW, meant to tell you... watch out for the Duck Drivin Lady. She traded in her broom for a new car... one of those sporty hot rod lookin things. If you see a gray streak go by, you will know who it is. She said she got a smokin' deal on it, so I suspect there is a car salesman somewhere zapping flies with his tongue and croaking in the evening. That's the only thing I can figure out. So be forewarned... JR

[A26 Special K]

It's not all work and no play around the hangar. Last Saturday night, GGA loaded up the DC-3 with our volunteers and flew over the Six Flags over Texas fireworks display near the TX Rangers stadium and Jerry's World. A good time was had by all. JR captured this air burst as they were going by. Look closely and you can make out the wing. The Rangers Stadium is nicely lit up too. David A even had a guest from Germany along for the ride. Speaking of David A, his checkride got postponed by a mechanical glitch on the DC-3 this morning. Tomorrow doesn't look good either with the TFR in effect for the arrival of AF One and still some work left to be done on Southern Cross. So stay tuned for the next window of opportunity. The Other JR