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

[OZFURYFAN]

Hi JR & real JR, any chance of some pics and part number or even a supplier?? cheers,Pete

[therealJR]

Dow-Elco Inc PN DE-990. This is a PMA

[A26 Special K]

We have it on good authority that the Duck Drivin Lady went to Houston yesterday for the Wings Over Houston Airshow this weekend, however, she ran into this problem nearly everywhere! Guess there were more goblins, zombies and witches out last night than ever before. To Broomrider One, we say good luck with a great show. The VN re-enactment with the F-100, A-4, A-1, AC-47, Huey, O-2 and others is really a big attraction for the crowd and we can't wait to be a part of that when K is flying! JR

[A26 Special K]

Quite a bit was done over the weekend. Some was done Friday by a good contingent of the team. The guys are working on the prepping the cowl flap ring for the return of the right engine. Ray made some new components for the cowl flaps themselves. JR, Tim and Miguel were shooting in some of the rivets for these. Ray has the component we needed for the nacelle repair all fabricated and heat treated. It should be in place if he gets a chance this week. Meanwhile, Larry was working hard on cleaning up the wiring in the junction box inside the left nacelle. He found the wiring in purty bad shape so made a new harness that goes out to the shutoff valves for oil, hydraulic and fuel when the shutoff switch is activated in the cockpit during an engine shutdown. We got the oil shutoff valve back from San Antonio and JR installed it. Meanwhile, Alex and Stan finished up the ELT wiring that went down the side of the fuselage and started replacing the armor plate there. Ed and Arnold worked on wheel jacks and other details. All we lack is finishing up!!!! Our favorite motto now. The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

Announcing our raffle for this beautiful aviation themed, handmade quilt. The drawing will be held 7 Dec. 2014. This would make a great Xmas present for someone special. It is only $5 per ticket and only 500 tickets have been printed. Odds are really good to win. This quilt is king sized and very well made with WWII and the Golden Age of Aviation on one side and WWI on the flip side. You do not have to be present to win. PM me for details as how to enter the raffle and help us return K to flight!!
From the Republic, JR

[A26 Special K]

NOTAM-Fort Worth area of the Republic. A flight plan has been filed by the Duck Drivin Lady to return from Houston Monday morning. The plan does not state which aerospace vehicle she might be riding, er...flying. Just beware of low flying black streaks in the vicinity between Houston, Conroe and Grand Prairie airports. Everybody back on their best behavior because she will probably be in a bad mood and turn you into a toad without provocation. Meanwhile, in the hangar, work continues on Diamond Lil and the B-29 which will be there until January by the CAF guys. Had the pleasure of showing K this afternoon to an old friend from Amarillo who now lives in Tucson. He was very impressed with our progess on her since his last visit. He was involved with Buba when it was in Amarillo at the same time I was back in the 70's. Small world!! A shout out to JC from the team!! JR

[airnutz]

Meanwhile, Alex and Stan finished up the ELT wiring that went down the side of the fuselage and started replacing the armor plate there.The Other JR

Glad to hear of the continuing progress guys! TOJR, how thick is and what is the armor plate made of?

[A26 Special K]

The armor on the outside of the fuselage and bottoms of the nacelle's is mostly integral to the structure. It varies in thickness from 5/8's inch to 5/16's. It is Dural... hard aluminum alloy. The plates on the side of the fuselage are fairly heavy. As for the protection they offer, might deflect a .50 cal round if impacting at an angle. Anything bigger would punch through. There was more armor inside the fuselage around the cockpit, the tail, the aft gunner compartment and the nose. Hope this answers your questions. Regards, JR

[A26 Special K]

The armor on the outside of the fuselage and bottoms of the nacelle's is mostly integral to the structure. It varies in thickness from 5/8's inch to 5/16's. It is Dural... hard aluminum alloy. The plates on the side of the fuselage are fairly heavy. As for the protection they offer, might deflect a .50 cal round if impacting at an angle. Anything bigger would punch through. There was more armor inside the fuselage around the cockpit, the tail, the aft gunner compartment and the nose. Hope this answers your questions. Regards, JR

[A26 Special K]

Not something you see too often...B-29 nose to nose with B-24, but they are in our hangar right now. As mentioned before, the B-29 is undergoing winter maintenance until January. The GGA DC-3 is also getting its annual makeover in preparation for the Xmas light flights that begin after Turkey Day and run thru New Year's Eve. So there are lot of aviation activities at Meacham Field including a Fly In that an FBO and the Airport Mgmt are inviting pilots to visit on Nov 8 with free food and prizes. They are trying to get this started on a quarterly basis. Lots of new construction at the airport so drop by and see that too. Of course, on Saturday, K and Buba will be getting lots of attention from their respective teams. Oh, be sure to go back one page to the picture of the aviation themed quilt we will be raffling off on Dec 7... just one month away and the perfect Xmas present for that special someone. Email me at jr2178@yahoo.com if you would like to buy a ticket(s). They are just $5 and only 500 have been printed. Do not have to be present to win. The chances of winning are very good. Tickets must be purchased by Dec 6. This will benefit Greatest Generation Aircraft Non Profit and help us keep our airplanes flying. JR

[A26 Special K]

The number of A-26's in restoration is now growing at an astounding rate. We just heard about another project in Tuscon. There is one in PHX as well. Mississippi, Houston, Las Cruces, NM, Guthrie, OK, and the list goes on. Interest in picking up and we say it is about time. This is a great airplane and that recognition is long overdue. Any others out there in the US? There is one in France that has been discussed here before. What's the scoop??? JR

[airnutz]

Yup, that covered it JR...Thanks!

[A26 Special K]

Ichabod Crane received a new gas tank, well, actually a repaired tank, thanks to Ed and company. There are a few other little leaks in the hydraulic system to chase down, but then Ichy should be all ready for the return and hanging of the number 2 engine and prop. Mr. Crane has been there at the right time to make all this happen. We keep marveling at the timing of events where people, tools, equipment, parts, people, money, people and did I mention people?.... keep showing up just in the nick of time to keep us going. We can only hope our good luck continues. We have been most fortunate to have the talents and skills represented so well by our team. We sure hope you will drop by the hangar or when Kay is on tour that you will make every effort to see just how complete and impressive she is. She has a very important story to tell. Be there for it! JR

[A26 Special K]

This coming Saturday, Nov 8, Meacham Airport is holding a Veteran's Day Fly In for all of the area pilots who wish to attend. The line up of activities is great and the free food is always good. Reduced prices for fuel helps as well. It will be at the new American Aero FBO ramp. Drive or fly on by. See below for the line up. While you are out there, stop by the VFM Hangar on the SE end of the airport by going south down Main St to the NW 38th St by the Firehouse and turn right. Go west until you come to the airport fence. Turn left and find a parking spot. Come see K, the B-29. B-24 and all the others in the hangar. The weather should be perfect for the outing. More information is available on the Meacham Airport Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/MeachamAirport (Open to the public, you do not have to be a FB member to view) (same applies to K's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay)

Saturday November 8, 11AM, Veteran’s Day Weekend Fly-In, Meacham International Airport (American Aero FBO)

- Live big band music by the Dynamic Swing Machines
- Vintage aircraft displays
- View the Fort Worth Police Departments Air Unit Helicopter
- $5.50 100LL from American Aero
- Free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and refreshments
- Meet the Meacham Airport Manager
- Network with other DFW area pilots
- Tail number drawings for an Apple iPad Mini and gift cards.

[Mark Allen M]

JR I've got another A-26, with no info, photo to show ya. Any ideas on anything? I think the photo is dated from the 70's? I suppose I could do the research, but I know your better at it than I am.

And as always, this is an absolute Golden thread ... Certainly one, if not the, best threads I've ever had the privilege of following. Can't wait for the book to come out ...