A26 in New Jersey circa 1967-68

[PropsRule]

How easy is it to swap noses on an A-26? I seem to remember reading they were designed to be switched out quickly. The photo of N507WB shows a nice clean break ahead of the nose wheel well. Does the nose just bolt on?

[T J Johansen]

The thing is that I don't know if N507WB was actually lost on a drug run. The N# is just one of those that have been dispersed of over the years. Milt Stollak was involved in rebuilding A-26s for static display in the 70s, and N507WB is one of those that never re-surfaced. Stollak restored A-26s for AF museums, but unfortunately he perished in the fatal crash of a fire bomber PB4Y in 2002 (H & P T123). I was in touch with his daugther Brandi at the time, but she has also dropped off the map since then.

Edit: There was apparently an article about Stollak and his partner in Air Classics back in the 70s. It detailed their work on refurbishing old bombers. Anyone out there who can scan said article?

T J

Last edited by T J Johansen on Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

[T-28mike]

How easy is it to swap noses on an A-26? I seem to remember reading they were designed to be switched out quickly. The photo of N507WB shows a nice clean break ahead of the nose wheel well. Does the nose just bolt on?

It is a bolt on assembly, and is pretty easy to do as that location is a production break. The hardest part was getting the doped cotton tape over the production joint straight and good looking.

[RareBear]

There was an On-Mark converted A-26 at Bob Diemert's place in Carman, Manitoba, in 1973-74. I saw it there several times, and climbed into it on one visit. It was in pretty good shape at the time. Where might it be now?

Walt

[T J Johansen]

There was an On-Mark converted A-26 at Bob Diemert's place in Carman, Manitoba, in 1973-74. I saw it there several times, and climbed into it on one visit. It was in pretty good shape at the time. Where might it be now?

Walt

Not an On-Mark, but rather a Rock Island Monarch.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26regis ... 35643.html

T J

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

There used to be a T-33 in Ocean City also. Any intell on what became of it ?

[Lynn Allen]

Does anyone know/remember the A-26 that was stranded in San Antonio, Texas in the late 60's @ the airport on the north side, KSAT? It had a engine fire and damaged the wing spar I heard. I think it had the Onmark convert. Did it make it or is it part of somebody's frying pan?

Thanks,

Lynn

Would quite likely be this one!
N507WB

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26registry/a26-4435495.html

Sounds like it as I remember the fire part of the story. It was white with stripes down the side. It sat there for years.

[Lynn Allen]

John sent me another photo to post.

Well here is a shot of the bird, taken by Lee Bracken, at San Antonio, Airport, 1972.

A-26C N507WB 44-35495 SAT 1972

Eric could I get you to repost this picture please?

Thank you,

Lynn