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

[Ken]

The USAF Skyraider manual goes into detail on the use of torque gauge for power, mag checks, and it's the only way the AF wanted to lean for cruise. I'm very accustomed to torque from the C-130, although the T56 uses a set of paired magnets that deflect apart on an inner & outer shaft, whereas the radials use an oil based system I'm still learning about.

Ken

[A26 Special K]

Ken: just found where K's manual goes into detail also about how the BMEP gauge should be used for mixture control and one other thing not found on the Spad. Identification of an engine failure is very apparent with the torque falling off even though rpm and manifold pressure may remain unchanged. On K, it is also part of the autofeather system. With those big ol wide props, autofeather is quite handy as engines tend to fail at the most inopportune time, ie takeoff. Thanks, JR

[A26 Special K]

Larry installed the new compass and mount earlier this week. It is quite an improvement over the jury rigged mount that was there previously. Saved a bunch of space and cleaned up the look tremendously if you compare to an earlier cockpit photo a few pages back. Thanks Larry!!!
On another note, the hangar dance is tonight and the weather looks to be perfect. No reason not to come enjoy a Big Band with a B-24 as the backdrop. Not often you can see and hear what it was like back in the 1940's. Many folks are wearing clothes or uniforms from that era, but it is not a requirement. Sure adds to the scene though. You can still buy tickets on the Vintage Flying Museum website to save $5 or walk ups are welcome. See you there!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Forgot to mention there is a special price on DC3 rides at the dance. $55 which is nearly half of the usual charge. Come out and enjoy the sound and smells of old round engines making history one more time. The city lights are beautiful and very romantic. Be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater as it could be a little cool up there. You won't get this opportunity at this rate ever again. Sign up for the flights as you enter the hangar dance. You will be given a flight time and pass. Again, hope to see you there!!! JR

[A26 Special K]

Holy Cow! Ya'll ain't gonna believe this.... a few posts back I made a wish that a gal like Dianna, the Huntress pilot, would show up at the Hangar Dance last night.... well, she did...and her name is Dianna. She was very interested in the A26 and after touring the cockpit, she asked if I could teach her to fly. My jaw dropped when she said her name. It was like Deja Vu all over again as Yogi used to say. Gosh, I hope she comes back! Maybe it was the first Dianna's spirit and maybe it was just all coincidence, but sure would like to find out if she can stand on a prop hub in cowboy boots. From the new Twilight Zone of the Republic, JR

[Jeremy S]

Calling all History's Mysteries Detectives! I was drooling over Martin Simpson's "everything you ever wanted to know about A-26's" website ( http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id893.html ) and ran across this picture. Fell instantly in love. You gotta like a gal who can stand on a prop hub in cowboy boots! So what was this airplane and lady all about? That's the mystery of the week!! I'm headed to the hangar to get ready for the Big Band dance tomorrow night. Maybe a gal like this will show up!!! Keeping fingers crossed in the Republic, JR

Huntress was A-26B 44-34766. It was a Bendix racer (Race #91) owned by Dianna Converse Cyress Bixby. Perhaps that is her in the photo? The Invader is still around, N26BK.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1 ... 03,1474455

[A26 Special K]

Thanks Jeremy, that is a great article you found. To flesh out the story a bit more, Dianna's first husband was killed in Europe in 1945 while flying an A-20. She was lost in the accident you described ten years later while flying an A-20. There has to be some irony in that. Amelia E. was her inspiration for getting into flying and she was moved to attempt the completion of Amelia's around the world flight in 1950. Paul Mantz was her adviser as he was Amelia's, only she and her second hubby were planning to use a DH Mosquito that had some significant sponsors for the trip. They were plagued with engine problems and only made it to Calcutta where they finally called it off and made plans for the following year. I suppose the birth of her first child in 1950 or 51 might have precluded the execution of the plan. Her son was born a few years later so she was still flying in their cargo business and raising a family. Not much time left for great adventures! Don't we all know that feeling?? Ah, only too well. Anyway, Dianna was instrumental in helping to resurrect the Powderpuff Derby after WWII as she was an active 99 and competitor. That race is still being run each June by the ladies and is now called the Air Race Classic. I've had the fun of advising one particular team each year since 2009 and it is interesting to watch the ladies all be friends during the meetings, briefings, and pre-launch banquet, but when race day comes, the fangs come out!! They compete hard because the top ten racers usually are only tenths of a second apart based on their handicapped speeds they have to beat. Last year's race went from California to Penn. This is over 2000 miles in four days or less in single engines, VFR only. So Dianna, et al, has left this legacy along with several others. It is time she got the recognition. I don't know of any other female A-26 pilots from back then although I'm sure some of the WASPS flew them, but it would be fun to find out. Bueller, Bueller, anyone, anyone?? Thanks again, Jeremy! From the Republic, JR

[napoleon]

She is an article here http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id398.html

[A26 Special K]

Loved the shots of the K running the pylons at Reno. Hmmmm, wonder if they would let us take Kay around the course by ourselves just as a nostalgic moment?? That story about Lear running a B model thru the course and actually beating a Mustang is priceless. That must have been something to see. Thanks for the link to an awesome website section I have not found before! JR

[A26 Special K]

So now that the hangar dance is over and the hangar is restuffed with airplanes, we need to get back to business. JR and David A have a plan to finish up the oil cooler straps. The picture shows just how tight a space they have to work with to get those cables across the seals. Part of the problem has been the alignment between the cooler and the air inlets. It is off just enough to prevent the seals from settling in as they should. Saturday should see another attack on the problem. In other news, the newly overhauled Carb Air Temp gauge came in today. That just leaves the Fuel Flow gauge to go. I expect it late this week or early next. Ray will be finishing up the repair to the nacelle on No. 2 so when the engine comes back next month, we should be ready to mount it to the QEC and then get Ichabod over to lift it up to the airplane and mount the prop. We are getting anxious to hear airplane noise, but there are a lot of details left before we get that far. The report on No.1 engine's ignition system, mags, wiring harness etc is rather lengthy.. translated...means expensive. Looks like it may run over $6000 to overhaul, but this is good insurance and money well spent. This is going to be the most expensive year ever on the restoration costs mainly due to the engine overhaul, but also the other big ticket items that required overhauls like the oil cooler, various pumps, instruments, generators, etc. Again, better to know where we are starting than have to wonder about more unknowns. Stay tuned for more progress. The Other JR PS the B-29 is back in the hangar. FiFi, the B-24, Beech 18 and Buba all depart for the Midland CAF Airsho on Friday at last report. Might be a good day to drop by Meacham Airport and hear a lot of good noise. See ya there!

[C VEICH]

I suppose the birth of her first child in 1950 or 51 might have precluded the execution of the plan. Her son was born a few years later so she was still flying in their cargo business and raising a family. Not much time left for great adventures!

If this has already been mentioned I apologize but the aforementioned son was Robert Converse who turned the pylons at Reno in P-51D "Huntress III", named in memory of his mother of course. I believe he too is now deceased but could be wrong on that point.

[A26 Special K]

Dianna's son Robert who was born in 1953 recently passed away in April of 2013. His death was related to pulmonary hypertension. Thanks for connecting the dots on the relationship between them. The Huntress theme resonated but couldn't quite figure it out. JR

[A26 Special K]

Is it real or is it Memorex? Remember that commercial?? If so, you might be old enough to figure out this puzzle. This is a pic of the cockpit of Special K. The question is, "Is it in 1969 or 2014?" If you have been paying attention as Larry and the gang have been restoring the cockpit, it can be figured out easy enough. OK, best guesses now!!! What say ye? Good luck!! JR

[A26 Special K]

If it has a scab patch on it, then JR likes to look underneath. It's been a good thing he has made this a practice. We have found numerous things that really needed attention. This is the latest one on the left inboard flap lower surface. Apparently it is more crash damage from the Macon unpleasantness... yuk. More work for Ray and Lou. They sure could use some sheetmetal help if anybody is willing to volunteer. This is one more project to be tackled this coming Saturday. Really a shame Broomrider 1 can't just wiggle her nose and make it all better, but she claims she doesn't work that way. Wonder what she wiggles then?? The Other JR

[NImrodA26]

-------------- "Is it in 1969 or 2014?"

Definitely 69.