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

[Obergrafeter]

Ask Karen about her "armorer" he has made the fake launchers and can probably be talked into making more.

[LadyO2Pilot]

Ask Karen about her "armorer" he has made the fake launchers and can probably be talked into making more.

I could put them in touch with him....it just takes money......right?????????????????? BTW the O-2 had the 7 shot LAU and the night birds had logs also........but since I can't have the real... the replicas just cause drag..... LOL

[Obergrafeter]

Inert don't kill no hogs though!!

[A26 Special K]

[quote="NImrodA26"]

This is the baby I have right here. 2.75" FFAR (Folding Fin Aircraft Rocket). Has an inert "HEAT" head, or WP, they both used the same casing. You would need either a LAU-32 or LAU-3 launcher. these are old desiginations, don't know what they are referred to now. LAU-32 is what our FACS used on their Bird Dog 0-1's. They held 7 rockets. LAU-3's held 19. Course, if you could find the launchers with the fairings, you wouldn't need any rockets, as they wouldn't show with the fairing on.
It was a "collective" group of us that hung the launchers inboard. That was quite funny, and most coincidentally, Special K was the actual plane.

Hey Randy, did you see the latest in Aviation Leak online today? Better hang on to this baby. They are making a comeback. Seems the Marines and others are interested in them with new "guidance" capability. The unmanned helicopter scout could carry some of these and keep the bad guys heads down when one comes thru the window into his pile of rubble formerly known as a house. JR

[A26 Special K]

Inert don't kill no hogs though!!

Who said anything about inert? Oh wait, you meant until we are out to the ranch and arm them suckers?? Yep, I gotcha now... right... inert.. meaning won't go boom. Yes, that is what we meant all along. The Ace Hog Extermination Company of Texas!!! JR

[N3Njeff]

If you guys keep looking around, you will find them and would not need reproductions. I used to know someone that had two launchers. He did own a UH-1 at the time but I believe he sold it so I do not know if they still have. As far as the 2.75, they are out there.

[A26 Special K]

Thought you might like to know that Special K is not our only airplane. This DC-3 / C-49... yes 49, not a typo. Yes looks like a C-47, but it isn't even though it definitely was used by the USAAF from 1941 on. It was on the production line when Pearl Harbor happened. Instead of going to the airline that had ordered it, Uncle Sam "borrowed" it to use to transport folks and use for paratrooper training. It does not have the cargo floor, door or engines of the 47 so the Army called it a C-49. But I digress.. what I really wanted you to see is our new Ice Cream Wagon that Arnold fixed up. It sure has come in handy as winter maintenance has rolled around and we need to transfer tools and parts out to the airplane on the ramp. The B25 is still in maintenance also. Pacific Prowler is getting the landing gear service bulletin and the other winter maintenance it requires so it is up on jacks. Our other project is a CG-4A Troop Glider of the kind used at Normandy on D Day. After the K project is done, we can start on getting the glider airworthy... yes, that is what we said here... airworthy. When is the last time you saw a WWII military glider fly at an airshow? Ck out our website at http://www.greatestgenerationaircraft.org
Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

If you guys keep looking around, you will find them and would not need reproductions. I used to know someone that had two launchers. He did own a UH-1 at the time but I believe he sold it so I do not know if they still have. As far as the 2.75, they are out there.

I have no doubt they are still out there. Just wanted to mention that we are looking in case we get some solid leads. Spreading the word on WIX is faster than anything else!! Thanks, JR

[N3Njeff]

I will keep my eyes out and do some digging. Found the pics of my early ones that we have in the back of our EOD truck.

[N3Njeff]

BTW, your B-25 was in Vermont for a time. It was here were it got painted from the talmantz white and blue to the "Dolly" paint scheme that she took to the UK. The paint scheme was courtesy of my uncle.

[A26 Special K]

Holy Cow, Jeff... this is a picture we have never seen before of the Prowler before she was all naked like she is now. Would you mind if we used this pic on our website?? Be a great addition. Thanks, JR

[N3Njeff]

Sure but I did not take the pic, a fellow mechanic too them and I dont think he would care. There are many others that were taken while she was here. I think my uncle even has some when she was in for paint.

[A26 Special K]

For those who are not aware, GGA's B-25 is one of the Tallmantz camera ships. It was involved in the shooting of "Catch 22" and appears in the movie as well. It has been used to film over 80 movies plus the Disney films shown at the omnivision theatres. It has also appeared on the Military Channel in some of the sequences about the Doolittle Raiders. She is a great airplane to fly, but when you think about who has occupied that seat before you... it is just a big oh wow... I can't believe I am doing this. If you are not familiar with the Tallmantz company story, Aero Vintage Books has a great website with a page devoted to the camera ships and a section about the company founders, Paul Mantz and Frank Tallman. You can find it here: http://www.aerovintage.com/N9451Z.htm

[A26 Special K]

Sure but I did not take the pic, a fellow mechanic too them and I dont think he would care. There are many others that were taken while she was here. I think my uncle even has some when she was in for paint.

If you run across some others, please post here. These are such great shots!! Thanks! JR

[A26 Special K]

I will keep my eyes out and do some digging. Found the pics of my early ones that we have in the back of our EOD truck.

Many thanks... say, what is that writing on the side of one?? Does it say point this end at hogs? Unless Randy is there to mount the rockets, I am not sure we will get them pointed in the right direction. Hate for them to go backwards and shoot down the ATF helicopter trailing us. Oh wait...crap, how do u erase on this thing?? Would somebody please tell me?? I meant.. uh.. the camera ship... the news helicopter.. whatever... AHECoT