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

[CAPFlyer]

I'm not any of those guys listed, but I'm going to be there. I'm hoping at least a few of my CAP Cadets will be there as well. I know several have an interest in these beautiful airplanes so hopefully they'll take the opportunity to see the rare awakening of a dormant beast.

[fwnelson]

JR I would love to attend on the 9th but I will be looking for some video on the event. I'm saving my visit for the day Kay climbs into the Texas sky.
Frank Nelson
Nimrod 67/68

[rdennard]

I echo the sentiment about lots of pics and videos... especially video with the sounds of those 2800s coming to life please.

[A26 Special K]

Bob... Frank, sorry y'all can't make the rollout this coming Saturday. It is shaping up to be well attended by the other A-26 vets!
It is open house at VFM and free admission. Lots of other activities besides Kay planned. It will be a great day in the Republic!

[A26 Special K]

I'm not any of those guys listed, but I'm going to be there. I'm hoping at least a few of my CAP Cadets will be there as well. I know several have an interest in these beautiful airplanes so hopefully they'll take the opportunity to see the rare awakening of a dormant beast.

We always welcome CAP Cadets! Started there myself back in the day! Was great prep for things to come! JR

[K5DH]

What time are the festivities starting on Saturday, Jim? Perhaps a better question would be... at what time is someone unlocking the hangar?

Speaking of CAP cadets, I was Communications Officer for the Delaware Wing, "back in the day". Even as a kid, I was a radio nerd.

CAPFlyer, please hunt me down when you're there so we can meet and greet. That goes for all WIXers who attend!

[CAPFlyer]

I'll be sure to say "Hi" Dean. I try to make it a point to at least do that for all WIXers and others I know at museums when I stop by.

BTW, if the engine start's not enough of a draw, the Ft. Worth Gun Show is this weekend too (didn't realize it until today).

[A26 Special K]

Kay Day is tomorrow, Saturday, July 9. A-26 veterans registration opens at 8 am. It is open house (free admission) at the Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth. The roll out of Kay will be at 9:00 with engine start at 9:30. DC-3 flights begin at 10. There will be other activities in the hangar throughout the day. VFM will be selling hot dogs and drinks for lunch. It will be a fun day so come on out!! Don't miss this historic event! For many of the A-26 vets, this is the first time they have seen or heard their old airplane in nearly 50 years. They are very excited to see Special Kay come back to life for them.

[A26 Special K]

Kay will be ready to go outside for her debut for the A-26 veterans!! Several of the team hit some good licks today to make sure. They installed the oil cooler door actuator that we obtained in San Antonio. Works like a charm. Over 70 vets with families and friends plus our team will be there for this historic event. Many of the veterans showed up today including one guest who was the son of the last A-26 MIA brought home from Laos just a few years ago and placed in Arlington. We hope you will join us in celebrating the 74th anniversary of the first flight of the A-26 in 1942.it is also the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first K models to NKP in 1966 for Project Big Eagle.

[rdennard]

I'm with you all in Spirit. Have someone play "Ghost Riders" for me. (Sing it with the Nimrod words.)
http://www.a-26legacy.org/home/nimrod-ballad

[A26 Special K]

Wow, just plain wow!! Great turnout for Kay's debut yesterday. The hangar and ramp was as full as I've seen it except for the annual hangar dance in October. The video of the engine start was live streamed on our FB page and then posted there. More photos to follow of the group. Check it out on:
http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay JR

[hawkeyepoole]

No extra words from the guy who's been very quiet recently.

https://youtu.be/und4YrG6jHk


Special Kay spinning three blades!

I edited this post on 7/12/16 for an updated video. I had several names wrong and the time frame is 6 years not 4.

Last edited by hawkeyepoole on Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[rdennard]

Hawkeye,

Thanks for the great video. Congratulations and THANK YOU to everyone that worked on Special Kay to make this happen.

[A26 Special K]

Kay Day was a huge success with a great turnout of A-26 vets and visitors. Besides Hawkeye's newly edited video, we have another video of the engine start that was live streamed on our Facebook page. We recently added another that was taken inside the cockpit of the engine shutdown and the crowds' reaction. There are several A-26 veterans who shared their stories that will also be posted shortly. Please check our public page frequently for updates as we progress toward the first flight. Facebook membership is NOT required to view this page:
http://www.facebook.com/a26specialkay

[A26 Special K]

Great stuff JR.

I was wondering, why are the yellow prop warning stripes so large? All of the pictures I've ever seen of B-26K Counter Invaders indicate a stripe that is about half as wide (thick).

Don't at all get me wrong, you guys are doing an absolutely fabulous job with her. I simply have noticed a detail that is quite a bit off from what it was "in the field, back in the day."

Best regards and keep up the great work. I'm looking forward to seeing her back in the air!

Oh that's an easy answer. I wanted it that way! Actually, maybe you have not seen all of the K pictures if you think this is too wide. Some are smaller. Some are yellow. Some are red. Some are red with white stripes in the middle of the red. Then there are varying widths. Doesn't seem to matter. But I like wide yellow for safety reasons. JR