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

[A26 Special K]

Hey Randy, I'll post some numbers when I get the reports back from JR. They are impressive. Regards,
The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

More progress on the right engine tear down at Anderson's in Idaho. We hope to get a report soon or maybe not. JR

[A26 Special K]

Several projects were underway this morning when we took a break for lunch. We had an old fashioned fish fry with fresh trout, grilled corn on the cob and Hawkeye's famous cole slaw. We were pleased to invite our neighbors, the VFM staff and the CAF Invader folks for lunch. Hawkeye did the honors on dippin the fish in the fryer. Everything came out really good. Miss Sally sliced up the bread and the corn cobs. In case you can't read her T shirt, it says "Pretty in Pink, Dangerous in Camo." I don't think she was kiddin from the way she handled the knife. Next Saturday, I think Hawkeye is planning on grilling burgers. The Aggies won their game against SMU today so life is good!! Will post more pics of the work done on K tomorrow. Cheers! JR

[A26 Special K]

Back to the other projects of the day, Jim S is seen here masking the left engine nose case for painting. We want it to look as good as the right side as much as possible. The guys worked on the flaps and JR found a dent under a patch that evidently was left over from the Macon crash. Will have to put Ray on it to work some magic to fix yet another crunch. He has been very busy repairing the QEC to make it ready for the return of the overhauled engine. JR finished up the tip tank fairings and got a plan ready for making a cover for the doghouse to protect it when out on the line and pehaps keep the heat down in the summer. Larry and Stan continued working on the instruments and lines to the sensors or transmitters. I have pictures of many items being worked, but Photobucket seems to be giving me fits again. I'll get them up when the fight is over. Sorry for the delay. The Other JR

[hahnej]

Buba had some nice canopy, doghouse, and cowl flap covers that could be used as patterns.

[A26 Special K]

Buba had some nice canopy, doghouse, and cowl flap covers that could be used as patterns.

I haven't seen those, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. I'll ask!! Thanks for the heads up! JR

[A26 Special K]

The mask is off and the left engine now looks 100% better with the new make up. The covers for the mags etc were also done. When the wiring harness comes back from overhaul at Precision, everything will be put back on to finish up the left side including the prop dome. We received the prop seals from Byam's Propeller Service and the new socket tool we needed for the prop oil transfer from Regal in Colorado. It continues to amaze us that some critical parts are still available for the airplane. JR

[A26 Special K]

Larry is hard at work on the cockpit along with Stan and they are verifying that the engine instruments are correct and the sensors are talking to them. We are now looking for a fuel flow gauge and a transmitter for the BMEP gauge. Somewhere along the line, the numbers don't match up with the original gauges and while the ones we have work, we want to restore it as authentically as possible. We have a new BMEP gauge coming and that system needs to work very well as it helps identify immediately if the engine is not putting out proper horsepower and to help trigger the autofeather function of the prop system in the event of an engine failure. The book says it would take 300 lbs of force on the rudder to counteract the yawing motion without the prop being feathered. Not sure any of us pilot types are up to that amount of force without help. Gettin down to the nitty gritty details now. Like the team says, "all we lack is finishing up" JR

[A26 Special K]

Several folks have been involved in the setting up of our new display case. Dave Horn's A-26A model of Kay is the highlight. It is so accurate, we could take it to the paint shop and say, "make it look like this!" Jim S helped do some of the restoration work on the model after a close call with the previous display case getting crashed by a varmit of dubious character... probably a raccoon. Tracks in the oil stains on the floor suggest the rascal was curious about it. Anyway, it is now good as new. JR has placed and tagged a number of artifacts that have been found on K in the case along with a .50 cal round and a map of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. There are pictures of K after the Macon crash, too. Jim S placed a couple of military maintenance manuals in there as well. Lots of stuff. Be good to come see this Saturday. Should be perfect weather!!! The team will be making the most of it and Hawkeye is planning to grill burgers for lunch. It just doesn't get any better than that. We love visitors and the opportunity to show what we are doing with the restoration. See ya there! The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

Ray made up this poster for display above the new case. I guess we are now entering the social media thing with Facebook. Our Facebook page is open to the public and does not require FB membership unless you wish to "Like" or make comments. Those phones so equipped can scan the code to go directly to our Wix thread or our FB page. Wow, what will they think of next?? This old 20th Century man is having to get grandkids to explain all this to him. JR

[A26 Special K]

More pics from Idaho of our engine tear down. Still pacing the floor outside the delivery room waiting on the doctor to call. Just hope it is not twins or the same approximate cost! Can't get insurance for this stuff! Where is the Affordable Care Act for Senior Airplane Engines when we need it?? ACASAE... we should start a petition. JR

[A26 Special K]

This is another shot of the fish fry last Saturday with all of our guests filing in. It is so nice to have a community of warbird enthusiasts who really enjoy what they do. And yes, that is a restored WWII Link Trainer in the back of the room. This is our community and ground school room. Speaking of ground schools, we will probably plan an A26 ground school for some time in November or early December. More about that later..... Cheers, JR

[A26 Special K]

This is the flap rash that JR found under a patch mentioned in an earlier post. Ray and Lou are taking a closer look at it to plan some of their metal magic. The damage no doubt occurred during the crash at Macon. The paint under the patch is the original military black from the looks of it. This is just one more little surprise that K has sprung on us. We should be used to it by now, I reckon, but... arghhh!

The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

Watch this space!!! You may need more popcorn though. JR

[therealJR]

The open area to the left of the firewall is the No 2 oil cooler bay. The overhauled cooler is partially installed. Getting the two fwd support cables into correct position has proved challenging. One cable goes on each side of the gap seal. The seal closes the transition area between the cooler inlet and ram air duct discharge. Many thanks to David A for leading the charge. No doubts here. While all this is going on Ray continues to work his magic. Repairs, rivets, nut plates and hoses, the No 2 QEC support is starting to come together.