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

[NImrodA26]

Far as I know, the LIstening devices were not dropped by the 26's. One of the aircraft used was the Neptunes. Again, long after I was gone from there. Some of the guys in our TLC group were with VO-67.
Here's a brief description of that operation.
Randy
"Another of the secret units designated to drop the sensors was U.S. Navy Observation Squadron VO-67 (The 67 stood for the year of origin – the unit existed from February 1967 to July 1968). The members called themselves “the Ghost Squadron.” They flew from Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, just nine miles from Laos. Their primary mission was over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, but they also performed missions in South Vietnam. They also flew the Lockheed P-2 Neptune, heavily modified, and now identified as the OP-2E. The Neptune was a 1950s-era anti-submarine patrol airplane, and now it was used to implant several thousand “Acoubuoys” (electronic listening devices modified from the anti-submarine “sonobuoy”) and the Air Delivered Seismic Detection Sensor (Adsid) along the Ho Chi Minh trail. The squadron's planes were heavily modified for the mission, including the addition of M-60 machine guns, 2800-gallon self-sealing bladder fuel tanks, a WWII Norden bombsight, an armored belly and a flat jungle-green paint scheme. Forty years after the squadron's actions, VO-67 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest decoration for combat valor a unit can receive."

[CAPFlyer]

Ah, somebody looked at the Funny Bomb photo close enough to read the M-32!! Sharp Eye!! These were the most often used by the Nims and were 500 lbs of pure destruction for trucks.

Actually Jim, I knew what the M32 was from my research for Jason's thread. The modified fins threw me off for a moment though. The previous pictures I've found showed full-length "casing" between the fins much like WWI bombs, not the shorter partial-span casing as shown in the photo, but I found some new reference material of the M32 in my confirmation search last night.

[A26 Special K]

Sometimes when you poke the bear, it pokes back. Check out the battle damage this Nimrod brought back home. 37 mm anti aircraft had 7 round clips so there were would be 7 bright blobs rushing by you. When they were far apart, they were missing you good, but when they looked like they were coming right behind each other, they were too close. This pic provides a good explanation of how a few folks wound up with the nickname of "Magnet Ass", but we won't mention any names!!!
Thanks Randy for answering the question about the acoustic and seismic sensors that were dropped along the trail. I haven't found any information that suggests that A-26's ever dropped them, but they sure benefited from the intel they provided. Besides ordinance, the A-26A (B-26K) could be outfitted with a whole bunch of cameras in the bomb bay and since On Mark provided a glass nose for each airplane, more cameras could be mounted there. Our airplane has panels that could be removed for these cameras. There is also a glass plate still in one of the bay door slots and there are several placards for mounting cameras. Many of the controls were mounted in the aft compartment. Jim R

[A26 Special K]

CAPFlyer, did you ever see this manual in your research about Funny Bombs? If not, you might want to check it out. Long about Page 46, it describes the M32. Others follow.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref ... M3-400.pdf

Randy, I think it also describes the cluster bombs you identified as hanging in the front of the bomb bay on the earlier pic. Thanks for your input. I am still talking to the Nims about the way they delivered them. The altitude had to be just right for each type. Too high and they scattered too much. Too low and they wouldn't be spread enough. Same applied to the Funny Bombs. BTW, just heard a story from one of the Nim pilots about dropping those. Seems he was making a bomb run and pulled up to check the impact. Saw right away that it didn't drop. Then there was a loud clunk in the bomb bay. They looked back there and saw the Funny Bomb had finally turned loose from the rack and was laying on the bay doors with the wind turning the fuzes. At any second, it could have dispensed the clusters of incendaries. I can only imagine the pucker factor that caused, but I doubt anybody needed a seatbelt at that point. There was a mad scramble to hit the bomb bay door switch to open. Lived to tell about it so must have been successful, right? This was sorta like Randy's story on the ramp; only different. Right Randy? Jim R.

[NImrodA26]

...........There was a mad scramble to hit the bomb bay door switch to open. Lived to tell about it so must have been successful, right? This was sorta like Randy's story on the ramp; only different.
=========
In the case of the ramp drop, the bomb bay doors were open-probably a good thing. On at least one ocassion, we had a hung bomb that released after the doors were closed, but after discussion, they brought it back, not knowing what would happen if the doors were opened. As I remember, EOD went in through the gunners compartment and safed the fuze, and secured the bomb with chains, then opened the doors. Probably a totally different train of thought with the funny bomb back there.
Jim, next time you're around the bomb bay, check something for me. I seem to remember that there were two extra stations in the bomb bay, allowing for the hanging of a total of14 smaller munitions, such as hundred pound bombs, or the frag clusters. Two stacks of three racks on each side, but either in the back or front racks, there was a fourth rack up high on each side. Does that make any sense at all?

Thanks,
Randy

[carlisle1926]

Jim, I'd ask Jason who brought up the previous thread and I linked to in my reply.

BTW, the bombs in that photo are M32s which were used early on before M35s and M36s became the normal payload.

The bombs that I was volunteering to build are for "Special K". I bought the materials and then developed a chronic case of scatterbrainedness mixed with a bout of laziness and have been busy working on a million other things. I need a good swift kick in the butt for not having them ready to go by now. I guess I had better get my act together.
Jason Barnett

[CAPFlyer]

Well there you go Jason, and even more research documentation available in that link above to the TM3-400 Tech Manual which covers the M32 in pretty good detail having just breezed over it. Data on the M32 starts on page 46, but the drawings of the M31/M32 are just above on Page 45. The M35/M36 is covered just after that.

[A26 Special K]

Jason... just what would it take to convince you to break out of your mental morass and build these Funny bombs for us? I could send Big Mike over to help you. Did I mention he played nose tackle at Texas A & M? He is really good with his hands and strong as an ox. Why just today I saw him pick up a complete 707 brake assembly like it was a toy by himself. Usually takes two or three of us to do that. He really wants to see this airplane fly... fully loaded for bear... well, actually since we don't have many bears in Texas, maybe some feral hogs. Dean said today that he was still good for that case. I think he actually meant keg though. We could send Dean along with Big Mike if that would help??? Talk to me son, let's make a deal here!! Jim R.

[carlisle1926]

I'm swamped until next weekend, but after that I can get after them and knock them out in a hurry so ya'll don't have to come down here and break my knee caps.
Jason

[A26 Special K]

Hey, wanna see some nasty pictures? I got one of Kay going TOPLESS. Actually, I am trying to laugh because the boys found some bad news up there on the top of the vertical stabilizer today. That mean ol Mr. Corrosion showed up again on the aft spar of the vertical stab. That's the bad news. The good news is that JR thinks it may be repairable. Had to remove the vertical cap and then next weekend, remove the upper rudder hinge bracket to get at it front and back for a thorough inspection. This is somewhat disappointing because it will set us back some on the timeline. Not a showstopper though. There is no monetary reason this can't be fixed.... if I win the lottery. Tearful in Texas, Jim R

[A26 Special K]

David and Rand are looking at the corrosion on the aft spar. It is hoped that we can repair it in place rather than having to remove the vertical stab. That would be a monumental chore that we rather not tackle if we don't have to.

[A26 Special K]

Lookee what JR found. He pulled another rabbit out of his hat. He was thrilled about it. So am I. Now if somebody would just tell me what it is. I just fly these things!!! This is the mystery question of the night! Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone?? Let's see how good yall really are. Jim R

[muddyboots]

its obviously a piece of pottery of some sort...glad I could help.

[carlisle1926]

Is it some form of de-icer reservoir?

[Taigh Ramey]

I am thinking it's a hard to find serviceable diaphragm for a spherical accumulator used in the hydraulic system.