My Mary Lou A-26/B-26 Invader Collings Foundation

[Jon_man0499]

So while Looking around the Collings foundations website i came across their A-26 named My Mary Lou that they said was under restoration in Uvalde Texas. I did some research on it and found multiple stories on it. Does anyone know if it is still there or what its status is? The reason i ask is that Despite what the Foundation says about it (Quote "Our A-26 Invader, under restoration in Uvalde, TX, will be one of the few of its type to wear its original markings as "My Mary Lou" an A-26 that fought in Korea from 1953-56") I had only heard the Tail, Turret, and the nose of the original Aircraft were used in their restoration, while the original Fuselage went to another Owner prior to the start of the Collings foundation restoration. Anyone have any Info on it?

[Lon Moer]

I remember Dwight Reimer racing "Cotton Jenny".

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/a26registry/a26-4435696.html

[OD/NG]

Here's why it no longer flies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQP0Q3BJQuQ

NTSB report on crash:

https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/Repor ... l&IType=DE


I would be really surprised if Collings is seriously working on the restoration of that aircraft. A-26's are dirt cheap and not much in demand now. I'm guessing that the cost to restore that aircraft to airworthy condition is probably many times the replacement cost for a new airworthy one, especially if the fuselage and/or wings are bent. I don't know if that's the case here, however. Their best bet is to probably do what they are doing - just sit on it until the value of it increases to the point where it is worth the cost of restoration. Just my opinion.

[TAdan]

Last pictures I saw of it showed it disassembled and sitting behind a hanger somewhere.

[Fouga23]

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDos ... rial=69163

[John Dupre]

It was a real shame when My Mary Lou crashed. I remember there was one of those fortuitous coincidences after the first restoration when on display in Tennessee or Kentucky a gentleman came by with a tale of making a particularly complex and unique repair to his B-26 in Korea. He went into the bomb bay and sure enough there was the repair he had made 30 or so years before! Until then the records on the aircraft only showed the wing the plane was assigned to but not the squadron and they had no idea it had worn a name and nose art. The former mechanic brought photos to prove his story and confirm the identity of My Mary Lou. Then his beautiful 30 year old daughter posed in a bathing suit in order to recreate the nose art! I had heard after the crash Collings bought a anonymous A/B 26 airframe with then intention of adding all the remaining useful bits from the original to recreate My Mary Lou. Without that repair it would never be the same airplane.

[Jon_man0499]

It was a real shame when My Mary Lou crashed. I remember there was one of those fortuitous coincidences after the first restoration when on display in Tennessee or Kentucky a gentleman came by with a tale of making a particularly complex and unique repair to his B-26 in Korea. He went into the bomb bay and sure enough there was the repair he had made 30 or so years before! Until then the records on the aircraft only showed the wing the plane was assigned to but not the squadron and they had no idea it had worn a name and nose art. The former mechanic brought photos to prove his story and confirm the identity of My Mary Lou. Then his beautiful 30 year old daughter posed in a bathing suit in order to recreate the nose art! I had heard after the crash Collings bought a anonymous A/B 26 airframe with then intention of adding all the remaining useful bits from the original to recreate My Mary Lou. Without that repair it would never be the same airplane.

Thank You for the Reply, I had no idea about that Story. I have been attempting to track down the Tail and nose for awhile Due to the fact i know where the Original Airframe is and it would be amazing to see her restored again.