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

[A26 Special K]

Maybe

B-26K IPB

http://napoleon130.tripod.com/sitebuild ... ownpt3.pdf

Thanks!! This is an excellent website for all things A-26. We got the IPB from there. The problem is that the detail on the cowl flap and cowl ring brackets is not enough to actually build replacements. We think we have that solved though thanks to one of our engineer buddies. Appreciate the help!! Stay tuned!. JR

[A26 Special K]

Miracles of miracles... the missing page with the prop feathering wiring diagram showed up out of the blue!!! Talk about some happy campers..... Larry and Bob were doing the happy dance at the hangar today. Sure answered some questions, I heard. It always amazes me that just when we need something or somebody they just appear like this. It has happened so many times during the last five years of this restoration. Somebody seems to be looking out for us!! Sure glad because this would have been impossible without all the great people who are helping move this along. Thanks guys!!! JR

[Texnician]

It's all about "safety of flight" and the wonderful find of the missing prop diagram is huge toward that end. Bob and I spent the day comparing our "reverse engineering" data and found that we were on the right track for the most part. But we also discovered things such as incorrect wiring, one of which has solved the problem with the right Fire/Pull to feather switch issue. And it has answered many mysteries. We still have a lot to do with this but I wanted to say this...

The more we dig into this project the more awe we have for you guys that had to maintain these aircraft in the day. These missing documents contain both the change 3 (dated July 1968) and the originals. That's extremely rare because once a change is filed the superseded pages are usually destroyed. The originals were missing 2 vital relays and several wires. Amazing! It must have been almost as bad as it's been for us (having no diagram).

We can now safely say that prop feathering will be available when needed and also as important... not until then.

Larry

[A26 Special K]

Greetings from a time zone 9 hrs ahead of the Republic!! I've been getting good reports on K progress from JR & Larry. Very nice to know that the work continues!! Will get more details posted later. Have limited internet time here! Later!! The Other JR, live & direct from the sandbox!

[A26 Special K]

Greetings again... had to say that because I'm not sure whether it is morning or evening anymore. Danged ol jet lag. JR reported that the set screw was installed on the number 2 prop so that finishes that project out. We had it on order and finally arrived. The guys got all the engine mount bolts checked, torqued and safetied so that job is completed. Lots of time was spent on the 337's for all of the various changes that have been made. Part of the gang continued the work on the nacelles, cowl flaps and cowl rings so those are getting closer. We are still chasing a few bits and pieces that need to be replaced. Of course, the "Sparkies" are having a good time doing the happy dance about the finding of the Holy Grail of wiring diagrams for the prop system. Work continued for 4 of the guys on Sunday. Will have to post the pics later, but they are very interesting. The other JR

[A26 Special K]

Ahhhhh, being back home is so sweet!! Things are still green here in the Republic from all the rain so a very nice contrast to sand. JR gave a great report on the progress with Kay. Seems we are up to the 91 percent completion level now... not including the paint job. Lots of detail work left to do and a couple of major projects to resolve. Some of the detail work included a repair to the stainless steel walk way over the bomb bay. Clay is shooting rivets on top while Louie is bucking them from below. This completes this section so now the last formation light can be installed. All of the formation lights were blue by the way and rarely used in action as most of the sorties were done single ship over the HCM Trail in Laos. JR also pointed out that Kay is starting to act a little bit like a race horse that senses that a race is near and starts getting excited. I had the same feeling when I went directly to the hangar to see her when I arrived. The guys are doing some marvelous things and with light at the end of the tunnel, are making extra efforts to pick up the pace. A lot of "attaboys" to hand out there. We could always use an extra hand if you are interested in helping. Stop by to see us at the Vintage Flying Museum hangar at Meacham Field in Ft Worth on any weekend. The Other JR

[A26 Special K]

And here is the last formation light installed on the top of the fuselage by JR and company. Larry and Bob tested the circuits on all of the formation lights and waaa laaaa, they work!! Joy! JR drilled out the old nut plates and eliminated the old wood screws that were used to mount the light. Got it put back proper now, but it took the better part of the day. Little details like this eat up so much time. BTW, we posted this picture on our Facebook page and asked "Whazzit?" Got some interesting replies, but so far nobody has suggested "Sun Tracker". The B-29 that crashed into Lake Meade had one since it supposedly was testing an early design for the tracker for air to air heat seeking missiles. Check out our FB page as we post other pics or news over there usually of our progress. http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay
Regards, The Other JR PS: Thanks everybody for helping us go over the 300,000 views mark. We really appreciate the interest shown by that.

[APG85]

C-130's use the exact same formation light...9 of them (313 bulb). Go gentle with the screws (easy to crack the lens). The nut-plates on the nut-plate ring tend to corrode and strip out over time...

[fwnelson]

Nice to see details like the formation lights being taken care of, it shows that your are getting closer to that big day when Kay takes to the air again. Can't say that I ever remember using the formation lights.
Cheers,
Frank Nelson
Nimrod, Oct. 67/68

[A26 Special K]

Hi Frank: Yessiree, we are getting closer. Still a lot of detail work left to do. Need to put the new glass in the canopy frames and replace the right front windshield. BUT, we just ordered two barrels of engine oil so we can fill the tanks. Kay can start marking her territory before long! We have to get our wing jacks repaired in order to do gear swings again and make sure all the gear doors are closing properly. We are sure it will be all done on Saturday... just don't know which one yet! JR

[A26 Special K]

At some point, A-26A cowlings were modified so that carb air was taken in at the top rear section. This is the notch in the top of the cowl shown here. Why and when was this done? Yep, new mystery question of the week!!! JR is really pounding on getting these cowlings fitted again. When they fit, we will send out the carburetors for rework. They had been overhauled, but have since dried out. The one we thought was good came back from Anderson's with a bad report. Didn't get along with "Mona". These are about the only things standing between us pulling her outside and putting some fuel in her for the first engine start. Oh what a glorious day that will be! Does it sound like we are getting anxious?? The Other JR

[rdennard]

It seems to me I recall reading somewhere that modifications for the carbs were made because of the heat in Southeast Asia. I think this indeed had something to do with the intakes. I don't know if this is the same as what you see on the cowl... but perhaps this is the answer.

[A26 Special K]

Hi Bob, good to hear from you! You hit the nail on the head as to the why. The original air intake for the carb went thru the upper lip of the cowling for streamlining and speed. The heat from the engine though caused the air to be too hot with a subsequent reduction in engine output and other problems in the hotter climates. This was discovered not in SEA, but in the Congo in '64 when the CIA was using the A-26's in that conflict. The CIA "borrowed" five of the new K models from the USAF after several older 26's got too worn out. Hence, the conversion to the "notch" on top of the cowling feeding the carb air intake was developed. It greatly improved the engine performance and solved the problem. And that's why it is called the "Congo Conversion". JR

[fwnelson]

That Congo operation was quite a starting point for the K models. Have you read the story about it in the book "Foreign Invaders" ?
Frank Nelson

[therealJR]

In the previous photo you can see Jim S tending to the paperwork. With all jobs on Kay, they aren't "official" and closed out until the paperwork is finished.