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

[A26 Special K]

It's obviously a Stuka dashboard.

Mud, you are probably very close, but you see there are a couple of instruments there that might not be seen on a Stuka unless the Germans built a 4 engine version?? And the PDI thingee kinda indicates it was more of a level bomber instead of a dive bomber. I think Randy was just funnin us with what looks like B17 forward hatch doors with the word Stuka written on one. Trying to throw us off track or something?? Doing a good job at it.

[muddyboots]

Then it's a Gmeinder class 478.6 locomotive dashboard.

[A26 Special K]

Want to remind all of the planes, cars and motorcycle fans that Spring Fling will start at 9 am in the morning, Saturday, at Meacham and will run until 6 pm. The P-51, Stearman, and 1929 Travelair are already in place. The DC3 is up and running so will be giving rides as well. Same with helicopters. We expect the clouds to be a little low in the morning, but improving rapidly before long so all the vintage planes will be there. Going to be an excellent day to be out in the sun and enjoying all these things we like. See you there. Be sure to say hi. I will probably be over at the B25 part of the day doing tours. Don't forget to drop by the hangar and see the A26 too. Cheers, JR

[LadyO2Pilot]

It's a panel off a quad engined something which has a tail wheel......that's as far as my guesses can go at the moment. The thing that confuses me if the chromated door thingie on the left looks like one we have that came off of somewhere on the other A-26

[NImrodA26]

The aviation gods were workng with me today, I got on the tour to go to the restoration hanger here at the Air Force Museum. They had a lot of "No shows" so had extra seating.
That instrument panel was a set up. The instrument panel is out of the Memphis Belle. It is the crew hatch that "Stuka" is painted on. The new one is beside it. "Stuka" was Morgans dog mascot, and he had his name painted on the door. We got about a 2 1/2 hour tour of the restoration shops. Amazing place. How they reproduce some of that stuff is increredible.

[muddyboots]

That's the whole instrument panel? It hardly seems wide enough! Thanks for the lesson!

[A26 Special K]

The aviation gods were workng with me today, I got on the tour to go to the restoration hanger here at the Air Force Museum. They had a lot of "No shows" so had extra seating.
That instrument panel was a set up. The instrument panel is out of the Memphis Belle. It is the crew hatch that "Stuka" is painted on. The new one is beside it. "Stuka" was Morgans dog mascot, and he had his name painted on the door. We got about a 2 1/2 hour tour of the restoration shops. Amazing place. How they reproduce some of that stuff is increredible.

I was just about to say Memphis Belle and you beat me to it. What a coincidence... my house guest tonight was the Best Man at Col. Robert Morgan's second wedding. We got a chuckle out of looking at the panel out of his old airplane!. Bob would have been pleased to see the airplane being restored and taking it's rightful place among the stars. Glad you were there!! Keep em coming!! JR

[A26 Special K]

That's the whole instrument panel? It hardly seems wide enough! Thanks for the lesson!

The cockpit of the B17 is not all that big. You would be surprised at how tight the airplane is inside when trying to move around. I certainly wonder how in the world they managed to bail out of the thing as hard as it is to reach a hatch just in level flight. Can you imagine what that must have been like in a spin or the airplane breaking up around you as it goes like a yard dart toward the ground? Whoa... lots of respect for those guys! The success rate of A-26 bail outs was even worse. If ever an airplane needed an ejection seat.... JR

[NImrodA26]

Here's something interesting. They have increased the information about the A-26's role in Thailand. This is a pic of 671, taken early in the program I'm guessing as they were still carrying their own flares. This should make you guys proud of what you're doing in Ft. Worth.

[A26 Special K]

[quote="NImrodA26"]Here's something interesting. They have increased the information about the A-26's role in Thailand. This is a pic of 671, taken early in the program I'm guessing as they were still carrying their own flares. This should make you guys proud of what you're doing in Ft. Worth.

Oh heck yeah, it does!! Thanks for the picture. Love the caption. It is about time that some recognition of the A-26 accomplishments is finally given by Uncle Sam. That is what we are really trying to do. Could you send me a copy of your shot via personal email so that I can get a clearer image to show the team? That will make a heck of a little poster for them. BTW, I was showing my house guest around the hangar this afternoon and stopped at the picture you sent of 679 in green and cream with the Kittinger special loading yall did. I mentioned that Joe had been part of the squadron and had trained in our airplane. We both blinked and remembered we met Joe at the same conference back in the 80's when he was there to talk about his big balloon jump. If only we had known about his connection to our airplane then!! Wow... funny how things intersect like that. My guest was also instrumental in obtaining the other (CAF) A-26 in our hangar when it was abandoned in Amarillo. We both had dealings with it then. Nice to see old friends! Thanks again... JR

[A26 Special K]

Don't forget.. today is Spring Fling at Meacham. Headed out to the airport now. Thanks everybody for putting us over 46,000 views now. This is 20,000 since the end of Feb. so nearly double what we had before. Keep those cards and letters coming!! See you at Spring Fling today. Support your local museum!! JR

[tex-fan]

what do you think will be flying? and about what time? thanks

[A26 Special K]

what do you think will be flying? and about what time? thanks

The low ceiling is forecast to break up about 11 am. Whatever time Ma Nature sees fit to comply with this request is when it will start. The DC-3, 1929 Travelair, T-6, and helicopters will be giving rides in the order in which they were scheduled. All other vintage aircraft will be flying in as the weather permits. Sunshine expected before noon. The B25, Huey and P51 will be on static display. Display cars are already arriving. Other vendors are setting up for a 9 am opening. Come on out! JR

[A26 Special K]

Spring Fling was a huge success. Lots of people came out today to Meacham and it was just great to see everybody. The picture of the little guy looking up for the airplanes just says it all. Many families came, and the parking at the terminal with our "Deuce" going back and forth as a shuttle worked purty good. Not a lot of people can say they have ridden in a VN era Deuce!! The clouds let up about 11 as requested from Ma Nature and the flying began shortly after. The DC3 was making an almost endless turn around with full or nearly full flights. The others did quite well also. The Stearman was more popular than expected. Lots of great cars showed up and the various clubs were well represented. They sure sounded great. Overall, we are very pleased with the success and hope to do it again. It would be a great way to end the summer and start the cooler Fall season I think. More pics will be posted soon. Please check back again. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

This just in from CNN... breaking news... It has long been rumored and suspected that certain people fly on brooms. At Spring Fling yesterday at Meacham, positive photographic evidence was finally collected as the entity can be seen passing thru the propellor of the B25 Pacific Prowler. A technical review by forensic experts has shown that the photo was not retouched or photoshopped. This is amazing. If you missed Spring Fling yesterday, you missed out on history in the making. This is huge... up there with the Apollo landings on the moon and the search for Amelia. If only the photographer had waited a split second later for the face to be discernible...... Live from Ft Worth, this has been the other JR reporting. Back to our studios at Dealey Plaza.