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

[A26 Special K]

Sunday, we had the pleasure of showing some Osprey drivers the A-26's in our hangar. They were passing thru and stopped for fuel. The Invader Sqdn of the CAF operates the black airplane "Texas Special" in the background. It was a Grand Central conversion that involved Bob Denny who later went on to found OnMark and get into the A-26 conversions to exec style and later did the work on the K models. So it is also a very unique airplane and the AF guys wanted to see. Somewhere in their distant past, their unit had operated A-26's. Joe Maynard, our resident Nimrod and Special Ops guy came out to visit with them about that. Of course, our second assistant wiper had to get in the line up. T has grown several inches taller since the last pic. Won't be long before he will surprise ol dad by being tall enough to blend right in. JR

[A26 Special K]

A little noseart never hurt a thang!! What you say it looks grainy and out of focus?? No, it is perfectly clear. You must be trying too hard to see the gal. If so, you qualify as an attack pilot!! Anybody recognize the pilot? JR

[NImrodA26]

.............Anybody recognize the pilot?

That would be Jim Galluzi

[A26 Special K]

.............Anybody recognize the pilot?

That would be Jim Galluzi

Randy, you mean the Director of Maintenance, his ownself?? Heard from him recently. He is enjoying life in FL. BTW, the way we know the engines were changed out.... the K model engines can turn 43E60 props while the stock engines run the smaller hub 23E50 prop as used on the A-26 B and C, plus the B-25 and several other airplanes. JR

[A26 Special K]

Another view of life at NKP with "Nother Trucker". Any guesses on who the 3 striper might be? Bueller, Bueller, Anyone, Anyone?? JR

[A26 Special K]

Looks like Batman, eh? This airplane, 677, is only 2 serial numbers away from K which is 679. The other things that show up well is the fact that Armament load panels had been introduced and the crew names were painted in red on the right nose door. Looks like the latter period of operations at NKP. It would be nice to find an original survival vest like this one for our cockpit display. So anybody know this troop?

[A26 Special K]

And where there is Batman, there must be Catwoman, aka Aircraft 64-17654 of the 609th Special Ops Sqdn, 56th Special Ops Wing, NKP!! I am assuming it to be Catwoman because my recollection is there was no Batwoman. And who could forget Halle Berry in her Catwoman outfit. Wow! That would make a very nice Valentine's present!! Not to become too distracted, back to the airplane, to the left of Catwoman is a red prop arc "Keep Clear" marking. Haven't seen that very much in other pics. There are also two external labels on the gun nose doors. Randy or Bob, any idea what these might have said? We found where the location, size and Part Number of all the external markings is located in the last chapter of the Illustrated Parts Catalog, howsomever, the markings themselves are not shown anywhere. Another dang mystery to solve if somebody can help us out with leads. The AF Museum did not label their K and we suspect they don't have the markings either. But we are digging still. Now where did I put my DVD of Catwoman? Hmmm, be a nice way to spend the evening! JR

[NImrodA26]

Well, the guy in front of 677 is Larry "Robin" Counts, Navigator.

As far as the markings on the gun bay doors on 645 or 654, which ever one it is, I don't remember them. It appears that the lower marking is over the hex locking bolt on the door, indicating which direction to lock or unlock the door. It may have been put on there to indicate a "Locked" or "unlocked" condition. It appears that a white horizontal line was painted across the door and bolt, probably so the crew could visually check it on walk around or something.
Probably are instructions above on how to access the guns. If I remember, there are also several Dzus fasteners around the door also in addition to the locking bars.
Here's a theory on why that may have been added. I heard that at some point, a A-26 landed at another base in Thailand one night, and no one there knew how to dearm the guns. Maybe they added instructions for those not familiar with this plane! I think the T-28 was the only other Air Force planes to carry the .50 cal. that I know of.

[shrike]

And where there is Batman, there must be Catwoman, aka Aircraft 64-17654 of the 609th Special Ops Sqdn, 56th Special Ops Wing, NKP!! I am assuming it to be Catwoman because my recollection is there was no Batwoman.

Batgirl. Later work of Alberto Vargas (Varga) Playboy July 1966

[Fouga23]

better image here:
http://studdedvictorianshroomz.tumblr.com/post/51739851790/vintagegal-illustration-by-alberto-vargas-for

[A26 Special K]

Batgirl hmmmm... nice! I suppose there was a Batwoman, too. But I think I just got Catwoman on the brain. JR

[A26 Special K]

Today, Ray prepped the nose gear doors for primer while other folks worked on the aileron gap seals and the cockpit. Our crane, Ichabod, was also up and running again after much work by David A, Arnold and Jamie. We should be able to pull the left engine soon and start the repairs on the firewall from the old crash landing at Macon, GA. Couldn't have asked for a nicer day. 70 deg and light breeze out of the South!! JR

[A26 Special K]

...and this is the "after" picture when Denis finished priming the doors. They should be ready to fit and mount next week, but we will have to check out the retract cycle on all the gear and we are waiting for one fitting to arrive for the left nose door. Keeping fingers crossed it comes in soon. JR

[A26 Special K]

Ichabod Crane is now fully operational so we look forward to pulling the left engine as soon as possible and beginning the repairs to the nacelle. Meanwhile, work continues on the avionics and we found that our shark fin attenna doesn't line up with the old holes exactly. Go figure. But Ray is working out a plan to build some doubler plates so we can get that part done soon. It is always something that comes up to slow us down. Today, the hangar was re-spotted by the VFM troops to make room for some new visitors. Expect an annoucement that will blow your socks off soon. Also, wanted to mention that the A-3D in the background of the picture is being restored by the A-3 Navy Vets group for display here at the museum. It will remain outside, but there are some plans to eventually get it covered. Exciting times at Meacham. Lastly, the CAF A-26 is scheduled to launch some time in the afternoon on Friday for the Brownsville airshow this weekend. Drop by if you get an opportunity. R2800 noise is always good noise!! JR

[K5DH]

R2800 noise is always good noise!! JR

Amen to that, Brother Jim!

Nice to see you today, by the way!