DZAUTO

I know that few---------------if any here are interested in our A26 restoration project, but we are getting closer to flying.
The closer we get, the more the various tiny gremlins are just eating us alive!!!!!!!!!!

But, the plan for Sat is to roll the plane out after lunch (we will probably spend all morning checking and checking and checking to assure everything is good to go).
NO, we will not be flying Sat!
The plan is to roll the plane out, start engines, check ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL SYSTEMS to assure everything works as advertised.
In the recent past, one of the gremlins we have been chasing is getting BOTH generators on line, and that can ONLY BE DONE with both engines running ABOVE 1500-1800rpm. So far, we feel the generator issues are fixed. Next, we need to parallel (or synchronize) the generators.

We will be inspecting EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE for leaks (fuel, hydraulic, oil, flight control operation, etc). Everything must work perfect.

Then and ONLY THEN, can we consider doing high speed taxing.

Once all that is done, then HOPEFULLY, it's gear up and drill holes in the sky.
Stay tuned for Saturday's results.We hope to make it to an airshow near you!

desertpilgrim

Best wishes, Tom!

Early66L72

maybe a few but i would be one. if you need a pilot I've got tons of 25 time. keep up the posts

A10pilot

Is this the LAST A-26 built. Just wondering what happened to that airplane.

Lotsacubes

Push them props thru a bunch! Then enjoy the beauty of the beasts sneezin’ oil and thick rich smoke. I love the first sounds of uncertainty as the various plugs try to clear. 36 spark plugs right (R2800s?)? Wish I could be there. Enjoy!

Vette5311

Pics?

3JsVette

Good luck. I hope all goes well and you're able to get both generators on line. I look forward to seeing the video.

tomy62

Absolute best of luck come Saturday. I LOVE the sound of a radial starting and the 26 is one handsome airplane! Do post pics. How about nose art?

DZAUTO

No, Ours is a 1944 built plane at the Tulsa, OK Douglas plant.

DZAUTO

It's a waste of time. In the past when comments about warbirds have been posted, I've posted pictures/videos of our A26 restoration and there has been little to zero interest.
The comments posted above are the MOST that have been made at any time in the past. Honestly, I'm surprised!

59BlueSilver

So cool, Tom!

FLYNAVY30

Thats surprising to me....Id be very interested in seeing pics/videos/etc.

Lotsacubes

Well..ok. Then do it for the 10 of us here passionate about warbirds and radials. I’d LOVE to see a vid starting with the high pitched starter whine and the early chugs like a steam locomotive transitioning to that smooth thrum. Come on Tom... do it for the children. (The always works for politicians)

A10pilot

Thank You! Good Luck!

40ZR1

Hey Tom, thanks for posting. Many like me are lurkers but do appreciate the pics and up dates! GOOD LUCK!!! Thanks to you and all the others who have spent the time and money to save this old bird. Where did this plane serve?
i still remember my first solo, scared to death, but what a feeling that I did it and having the pocket of my shirt ripped off.

Redbird

Tom, I know you will appreciate this. How about some pictures of the startup! Our Rotary club of Sun City Georgetown supports Tango Flight here at the Georgetown, TX high school. They have assembled 5-6 planes already with another 6 for next year. They started by purchasing one assembly kit and the rest is history. There is a waiting list for high schoolers to get into this program. Google "Tango Flight"!

GUSTO14

Tom, I have about 100 hours behind an R-1820 Wright Cyclone about 30 years ago, and still love the sounds and smell of the big radials coughing to life... Not nearly as powerful as the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 "Double Wasp", but a blast to fly never-the-less. The torque of those monsters (it would flip on it's back in a stall as quick as anything), gave us a lot of respect for those that flew the Bearcats, Hellcats and Corsairs in the 40's off of carriers.

Looking forward to the pics...

GUSTO

Tampa Jerry

Keep the posts and pictures coming. How many hours does the resto crew have in the project? I, for one, have enjoyed all of your posts throughout the years. Jerry

Vette5311

I love the old warbirds even though they are out of my economic strata. Keep sharing

DZAUTO

STRANGE, after all these years of making comments about our A26 restoration, SUDDENLY everyone is interested!!!!!!!
Our group has been on this restoration for 20yrs this month. It had a broken wing spar and was parked, neglected and abandoned on a field in Ark almost 30yrs ago.
Our group leader went to Ark, assessed the damage and determined it could be restored to flying condition. So it was disassembled and trucked to Okla City where the restoration began 20yrs ago.

This was the plane when I joined the group 13yrs ago. Part of my aircraft background is doing sheet metal and structural repairs on B52s at Tinker AFB, so that is my main tasks on the A26.
This is where I began on the project 13yrs ago..




Transporting the pieces to new location








Me, power washing off 65+yrs of crud, grunge and grime.





Total engine rebuild, with 18 brand new cylinders on each engine.




Installing first engine



A few years ago.



4yrs ago



Our planned nose art



Home made .50cal barrels for the nose.




There will be 6 in the nose





Today


This is the projected finished effort (photoshopped).


Very first engine start, about 2yrs ago.

Both engines


Last year we started, ran both engines and taxied out the the runway and back. Still a LOT more to do.


That's me waving at you.