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

[A26 Special K]

While the guys had the lift available, they went to work on pluggin up some of the holes and repairing some of the facing on the outside of the hangar. Might keep some of those cold winds out this winter. "Pneumonia holes" we call 'em in Texas! JR

[A26 Special K]

More window repairs thanks to Steven J. K's nest is looking purty good now!! Should be a good place to work. We are still looking for volunteers who have some avionics background. Really need some help there. Would like to get the new avionics installed while the cockpit is all apart. Could also use some help in obtaining the Garmin 750 talked about earlier to hide behind the military radio heads on the center of the panel. Thanks! JR

[A26 Special K]

I still have a lot more news and pictures yet, but let me end this evening with this picture of K's sister airplane located in the Memorial Air Park at Hurlburt AFB, FL. She is waiting for K to do that fly over next October. We need everybody's good wishes, prayers and donations to make sure that happens. Would appreciate it. Our Pacific Prowler website has been discontinued so that now everything appears on the Greatest Generation Aircraft website. If you would like to donate, either PM me or contact us on the website for a tax deductible donation. http://www.gga1.org
Thanks for your support. JR

[A26 Special K]

Oops, forgot to mention.... We are throwing a Xmas party on Dec 6 from 6 to 9 pm. Ck out the plans for fun at this fund raiser!!! Besides good food, music, Santa and our airplanes tours that are included, our pilots and crews will be on hand to answer your questions on what it is like to fly these beautiful airplanes. We have 1940's new reels that will be running in the conference room as well. For more information, look at our website link for Christmas at the Museum:

http://www.gga1.org/christmas-night-at-museum

Yall stop on by, ya hear now!! Get your picture made with Aviator Santa!! JR

[A26 Special K]

OOOOOhhhhhh, lookey here what Ray found on the lower aft fuselage under an old scab patch. What does that look like to you??? It is not on the bottom side, but just up from it about a foot and half. Any guesses?? JR

[NImrodA26]

What does that look like to you???
------------
Possibly a maintenance fixture or something gouged a hole?

[LadyO2Pilot]

OOOOOhhhhhh, lookey here what Ray found on the lower aft fuselage under an old scab patch. What does that look like to you??? It is not on the bottom side, but just up from it about a foot and half. Any guesses?? JR

a hole.....torn metal

[A26 Special K]

O2 Lady.. I am glad you recognize a hole when you see it, but I was sorta hoping to get another answer sorta like Randy's ... ya know... a guess as to what caused it, see? Now has anybody noticed whether there is paint under the scab patch?? JR

[muddyboots]

Is it a shrapnel hole or something?

[NImrodA26]

=====Now has anybody noticed whether there is paint under the scab patch??

Hard to tell from the pic if that is paint or not. If that is a shrapnel wound, it would have had to be left over from WWII -Korea???
Does the history of 679 go back that far? Did this patch get by On Mark during the rebuild? Or did this occur during one of the mishaps she encountered as a civilian. Is that on the same side that the gear collapsed on??
In any event, it looks like it was a hasty repair. ................and the mystery continues.
Randy

[A26 Special K]

Randy, indeed this is a mystery. There is no paint under the scab patch. The only time the airplane has not had paint on it outside of a shop was when it came out of the factory and went to Europe in WWII. If this turns out to be battle damage, that would be when it occurred. We got some guys looking at it to see if they can determine if it is. Wouldn't that be something though? Then again, maybe it was some of those old guys down in the swamps of Louisana protecting their stills?? Stranger things have happened. Kinda like how we have been needing help with avionics planning and installation as noted a few weeks ago. Today, 3 of them walked in to volunteer! Amazing how things like this happen. We also got a big box of spare engine parts in from California today. My, this has been a good day!!! JR

[NImrodA26]

..........Then again, maybe it was some of those old guys down in the swamps of Louisana protecting their stills??
=================
You know, you might have something there. I know we did do some flying in conjunction with exercises being done at Ft. Polk. Maybe someone got trigger happy one day!!! Or possibly a ricocheting bullet? A couple 26's flew down there on Armed Forces Day, I believe in 67. Remember that one of the pilots came back complaining of "hung ordnance", and said that the nape sailed clear over the hill from the target he was supposed to hit. (At least that's what he blamed it on!!)
Ask Joe Maynard if he remembers hearing about that next time you see him.
Randy

[OZFURYFAN]

Hi all,great thread,should be awesome when complete!! Back on page 77 you guy mentioned looking for engine mount donuts for the 2800,just wondering if you managed to find a supplier or if you talked to Sanders about the P/No mounts they are using,best regards,Pete

[A26 Special K]

Hi Pete: No, we have not talked to Sanders yet although I did see some great pics of a 2800 going into their Sea Fury on their website. Might just take your suggestion. We are getting close to time for pulling our left engine so that a sheet metal repair can be made behind the firewall. We hope to find the part number then for the donuts. Maybe we could make them out of duct tape as Muddyboots thinks you can do everything with that! Thanks and keep checking back as I am sure there will be something mentioned about this when JR pulls the rabbit out of the hat again. Good on ya, Mate. Cheers, the other JR

[A26 Special K]

The move continues to the new side of the hangar, but we had a semi-serious air compressor donated to help us out with all of the pneumatic tools we run. David A and Rand are checking it out. If size matters, that tank should tell you something!! whoof whooof... oh, sorry, got carried away. Well, the motor turned out to be in need of replacement so David A says while we are it, let's just plumb the lines to each station including the B25's on the west end of the hangar so that we can all work when needed on the various projects. Pipe ordered, pipe delivered and several of the team members have Friday off so we should have that up and running for the Saturday episode. Come see us at Meacham. You can also see the Whale that just arrived on the VFM side of the hangar for exhibition. They are in the process of assembling after the trek from the boneyard in AZ. It will become a very suitable memorial for the Navy A-3 community. Cheers, JR