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

[NImrodA26]

............Hey Randy, ya'll need to come see us when she fires up!

===Yep, lookin forward to getting down that way again, winter is a wearin thin on me already up here, getting tired of the "Low teen" temps here every night. Actually got up to 35 today, felt so good about it I washed the truck and car!! The engine is really lookin good!

[A26 Special K]

Here is a peek at Mona's backside. Golly! Just makes you want to say golly! Ain't she pretty?? There were a lot of ooooh's and ahhhhh's yesterday during the unveiling. Lots of wrenches started flying when the accessories needed to be installed. There is just something hypnotizing about a brand new Pratt and Whitney emblem! Many thanks to JR and the crew for working so hard to get Mona ready to be mounted.
to the guys at Anderson Aeromotive! The Other JR

[Zac Yates]

Absolutely beautiful! How exciting!

I'm guessing it'll never ever be so clean again!

[LadyO2Pilot]

to you and your whole team !!!!!

[A26 Special K]

No doubt this is a clean as it will ever be. Wouldn't be a round engine if it didn't leak oil and get gunked up. But thanks.. and you too, Broomrider. How is the Duck?

[LadyO2Pilot]

Duck needs some body to start the annual

[A26 Special K]

Duck needs some body to start the annual

I thought all you had to do was wiggle your nose and presto, it would be done??? Is that not how you work?? Maybe it wasn't your nose?? I get so confused by all those TV shows. Reality shows that aren't real. Who knows whether they got it right about broomriders? The Loyal Opposition, JR

[A26 Special K]

We had a special guest in the hangar last Saturday. When this guy shows up though, you have a tendency to keep a close eye on him to make sure he isn't after any of your airplanes. Yep, that's Kevin Lacey being escorted by our own Hawkeye and Stan B. He is one of the pilots on the TV show "Airplane Repo". As it turned out, he was just visiting and is a warbird buff. The B-29 was especially interesting to him. Speaking of which, FiFi may be pulled out for engine runs soon. Next weekend is the big CAF B-24/B-29 Squadron ground school and training sessions. It would be a fine time to come talk to many of the people who work on or fly the airplane. Drop by and see Kay in the back of the hangar while you are at it. JR

[LadyO2Pilot]

Duck needs some body to start the annual

I thought all you had to do was wiggle your nose and presto, it would be done??? Is that not how you work?? Maybe it wasn't your nose?? I get so confused by all those TV shows. Reality shows that aren't real. Who knows whether they got it right about broomriders? The Loyal Opposition, JR

Wish it was that easy !!!!!!!

[A26 Special K]

Hey Broomrider, what's happened to your buddy Ober? Haven't seen him chime in for awhile. I fully expected some kind of comment from him about your wiggle?? Meanwhile, back at the ranch, this weekend should reach nearly 80 so everybody in the hangar will be humping to get stuff done. The B24/29 Squadron is having their annual ground school and training session. Our friends working on Buba are in the middle of their inspection. Be warm enough to check control cable tension on it even. It would be a great day to wash down the engines if the B-24 gets moved out of the way. Meanwhile the Kay crew will push hard to get the QEC and new engine ready to mount. Quite a few things going on in the hangar. Be a great day to visit!! VFM Hangar, Meacham Airport, Ft Worth in the Republic!!! Cheers, JR

[LadyO2Pilot]

Ober seems to be in FaceBook mode and dreaming of new boats and fishing

[Obergrafeter]

Yes Sir, but he is still lurking around to keep an eye on you guys (and gals)!

[A26 Special K]

Ober, how can you be lurking around watching out what Broomrider does if you are out deep sea fishing all the time?? She said something about putting a spell on you so that would happen. Did it not ever occur to you that was the reason you developed interests besides C-47's? So ya'll going to be at any shows this year? Buba may go to some. Kay is getting close, but maybe not in time for the season. Drat. The devil is in the details of finishing up the loose ends and systems checks. Trying to get everything ready to hang our new engine. Be sure to look me up if you see Buba or Kay at some show. Take care, JR

[A26 Special K]

Man, there is a lot of excitement around the hangar this weekend. The B-24/B29 guys are holding ground school and humping to get the airplanes ready to go out on tour. FiFi is headed to the land of milk and Arnold by early March. She'll be baaaaack. Meanwhile, Big Ed and company are diligently prepping "Mona" for installation. We hope to recover some momentum that was lost last weekend with the cold and wet weather. Should be a perfect day to work tomorrow. May even see some old faces that haven't been out in awhile. Our Y leads for the left engine are on the way from Seattle so that will make everybody happy that we have everything we need to finish it up except for a carb flow test. Should be ready to run after that. Looking forward to a great weekend at the Hosper's Home for Wayward Warbirds. See you there! JR

[A26 Special K]

"Mona" and the QEC are getting closer together. Ichabod Crane is all set for the mating. The cowl flaps still need some work, but the oil tank is ready as soon as the QEC is mounted. All the big pieces are there, just have to figure out the puzzle of getting it all in. I mean it came out of there so it must all go back in, right? Might have to get the Duck Drivin Lady to come wiggle her nose! JR