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

[A26 Special K]

JR,

I'm interested in a t-shirt. Can't reply to your pm's.

Can you please conact me via email

migkill5(AT)zonnet.nl

Replace (AT) with the obvious.

Thanks

Harald
The Netherlands

Harald, you will be getting an email from me soon. Thanks, JR

[CAPFlyer]

I agree that it's a Stinson Airliner (Model B) like Dean surmised, but it looks to be painted in TAT colors, which I think would be what throws a lot of people off.

[airnutz]

Looks like Ford model 4 AT-E "City of Richmond"...otherwise I'm clueless.

Last edited by airnutz on Thu May 08, 2014 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[planeoldsteve]

Bushmaster 2000?

Steve

[A26 Special K]

City of Richmond it is!! Yes, it is a Ford 4 AT-E. Like most others, I didn't realize that Ford's came in several different flavors. The 4-E has 300 hp engines instead of the 450 hp of the 5. The gross wt is about 10,100 lbs so it does not require a type rating to fly unlike the 5. Of course it doesn't have as many seats either or the underwing baggage compartment. Not many were made so this is a very rare airplane. Mr. Ford actually used truck tires, wheels and brakes when he built the thing in 1929. Just think about trying to find replacements for those!! And I thought hunting A-26 parts was bad!! Scott said he would bring the Ford over to Meacham for a visit soon. Will let yall know when he plans to do that. Ford educated now in Ft Worth... JR

[airnutz]

And she was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941...the old girl has been around the block.

[shrike]

Mr. Ford actually used truck tires, wheels and brakes when he built the thing in 1929. Just think about trying to find replacements for those!! And I thought hunting A-26 parts was bad!! ... JR

Probably a whole lot easier to find. Assuming they are Ford AA truck bearings, they are around $25 each, available at any decent auto parts store.
I seem to recall reading once that B-17 main wheel bearings are the same deal - never a "Boeing" part, but rather an over the counter truck part.

[A26 Special K]

Well, here we go!! Not only is it Mother's Day on Sunday, but lots of things happening this weekend. First of all, our avionics guys say they are ready to give the radios the smoke test. The armament status board shown in the picture will also be powered up most likely. They are confident enough to tell me to bring a headset so this is the big one on Saturday. Unfortunately, I may not be there to see it. Maybe just as well, since I feel like an expectant father pacing the floor outside the delivery room. I am supposed to fly with the CAF A-26 crew to the Corsicana airshow on Friday and Saturday. Maybe I will get my turn at the wheel of Buba. Anyway, come on by the hangar as it should be a great day. The B-29 and B-24 are still there but will be leaving soon. FiFi goes westward for a tour and the 24 is headed east for awhile. That Duck Drivin Lady is supposed to be there at the Corsicana show flying the Duck instead of the Broom this time. Might get to see some airshow action with her and some other birds. So lots happening. Pick your spot and make the effort to get there!! Beats mowing the lawn... besides it is too wet here!! See ya at the show. JR

[A26 Special K]

That little orange light on the armament status panel that is glowing... well, don't get too excited about ordnance dropping off the wing unless you are a wiild hog... but it means there is power on the airplane and most importantly of all, the standby, electrically driven, hydraulic pump is now fully functional!!! Yay!! That thing has taken a lot of sweat and tears to get going so we are indeed excited about it. The team had a great day yesterday while I went off to get some A-26 time in BUBA at the Corsicana Airshow. The Duck Drivin Lady showed up and paired with a Birddog to start the fun. We had a good time and some pros shot some great video of the airplane making bombing runs ...with a little help from our pyro friends on the ground. BTW, the pyro folks were all girls this time and did a superb job. Since I was a little too busy to take good pics, I hope somebody will post a shot or two before long. JR

[A26 Special K]

Larry and the Sparkies got all set for the big smoke test of the avionics on Saturday and then only got a small poof. Things did not go well. A circuit breaker popped and none of the avionics was coming on. Needless to say, there were a few depressed people around the cockpit, but they just wouldn't give up. Not these guys!!! It now works as advertised. Should be all good to go very soon. We will be doing the happy dance soon as well!!! And we got rain today!!! Sure do need it. Can give up some flying time in order to get some. Just really need a good solid week of this. It will make it cooler to work in the hangar a bit longer, too. That's a plus. Next Saturday should be very interesting as we are running a DC-3 ground school and giving about 6 pilot experience rides so if you like the sound of round engines, drop by Meacham Field in Ft Worth on Saturday. If you would like to join us for class, please contact Dana at greatestgeneration@yahoo.com for more info. It can't possible rain from now until Saturday!! Right??? JR

[NImrodA26]

Hey, that cockpit is coming right along. I especially like the new seating arrangements for the pilot! That's first class!

[A26 Special K]

Hey, that cockpit is coming right along. I especially like the new seating arrangements for the pilot! That's first class!

Well Randy, glad you asked. We did some research on the AF research concerning ejection seats for the A-26. They were definitely needed. Anyway, we discovered this prototype which is a bucket seat with explosive charges underneath it. It is considered a 0-70 type seat. That is, if you are at zero altitude, you have to be moving 70 knots for it to work. Or maybe it was if you weren't moving, ie, zero airspeed, you had to be at 70 feet. Nah, that can't be it. See what you did? Got me all confused so now I will have to go back and check it all over again. See ya Saturday and you better be grinnin!! Have a safe trip out to the Republic!! JR

[A26 Special K]

I have to report a friendly fire incident at the Corsicanna Airshow last weekend. This great shot of the action was caught by Christopher Ebdon (credit). The Duck Drivin Lady experienced a Black on Black Force napalm drop, accidental of course, by the Big Ugly Black Airplane as she calls it, the CAF A-26, more affectionately known as BUBA. It seems her airplane is the Pretty Little Black Airplane or PLBA for short. Hence, the Black on Black rather than the usual Blue on Blue terminology. Since then, it has been reported that the crew of the A-26 has suddenly acquired a taste for eating flies as is typical when changed into toads. I told them not to mess with her but they did it anyway. I did get the chance to help fly the A-26 back as a result though. Thanks O2 Lady!! JR, one step closer to having wild hog fun!!

[A26 Special K]

And this is the guilty party as shot by Francis Govers, Invader Sqdn Leader, FTW. Wonder why it appears to be abandoned? Might look closer to see if there are any toads wondering around trying to figure out how to get back in the airplane for the ride home??? Rivet Rivet... JR

[A26 Special K]

Oh shoot, I can't remember... to keep the bomb from going off, do I cut the white wire first or the yellow one?? Nevermind, that is a different episode! What we have here is one of the culprits that was not helping us to get the standby hydraulic pump running. Sir David A, Master Knight of the Round Electron Table, was Knighted by the King for figuring out this doggone relay was bad in the right nacelle junction box that provides power to said pump. He replaced it and waaaaa lah, the pump now works!! An attaboy for Sir David!! JR