Kay Comes Back Alive

[@pclayton5063]

I was at Bien Hoa, Vietnam in 1970 and there was a flat black SOG A26 parked on the flight line I drove by all the time. Awesome looking aircraft.

[@STONEDARTphotos]

That aircraft has quite the history.

[@pclayton5063]

@@STONEDARTphotos I'd like to read more about it if you have a source.

[@paullee2177]

In 1969 I was a aircraft mechanic at Nakhom Phanom RTAFB (NKP) Thailand assigned as a O-2 mechanic with the 23rd TASS. Loved watching the A-26s and A1s taking off. Nothing like the sound of a big recip!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Absolutely, I still get goosebumps when we crank them up. Thanks for watching and Thank You for your service.

[@rickgibbs5450]

My brother worked on f4 ,f104,f111,f16 c131 gunships the f16 was later the rest were at George afb,Edward's afb ,danang ,6 tours

[@rickgibbs5450]

Our dad was in b24 was shot down 21st mission, polite oil field in Romania crashed in sweeden

[@eodmax]

I was TDY to NKP in 67 worked in the bomb dump I think we got all the old ordnance that the jets couldn't fly.

[@hogheadtb6489]

I served twenty two years in the USAF and there is nothing like watching the old war birds come to life and fly. Thank you for sharing.

[@ssnerd583]

Thank you all for keeping this important and beautiful part of aviation history going!!! A&P 1983

[@HanHan-fw6ki]

Thanks for the video - I had the privilege of flying the A26 Invader for 3 years in fire suppression work. It was great to hear one start up again 👍🏼

[@a26kspecialkay13]

You welcome and I think you are the first I have heard from that flew fire suppression in a A26. That is great to hear and thank you for posting this.

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

Beautiful aircraft! It is awesome to see old warbirds in such great condition, and the sound of those big radials is mesmerizing!

[@chuckmorris7043]

I was born in 1940, as a little kid when WW2 was going on and many years afterwards, I lived about 3 miles west of Van Nuys, California airport, many airplanes overhead and including the A26, which sounded fierce and still gives me goosebumps hearing those 2800'S. I served in Naval Aviation during Vietnam, and was crew member in Lockheed Neptunes, and to hear those 18 cylinder engines for hours on end. Still get goosebumps. Your Special Kay is a beauty and I hope to hear it and see it more in the future.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

I’m the same way, goosebumps every time. Thanks for your service and thanks for watching.

[@errolorebaugh8161]

Thank You for your service!

[@c10wiremantawwallace13]

I was born in 1961 in Norwalk California and my father was in the Big Red 1 right after the war came to an end. he went on to work for Huges Aircraft corp. becoming senior maintenance engineer for the Culver city facility housing the Spruce Goose. I was 11 years old when he took me & my older brother to work to see that giant plane. I was in awe of how big it is at that age it was to much for words. I grew up buying every single WWII era war plane I could find in the hobby stores. By the time I was 17 my bed room ceiling had more than 98 different war birds hanging off fishing lines and thumb tacks. My son donated them all to Chino air museum. lol. T. A. Wallace

[@chuckmorris7043]

I now live in Portland, Oregon region, two weeks ago a bunch of us went to see the Spruce Goose at the air museum near McMinnville, Oregon. Saw lots of other aircraft there. Bringing back memories from my Vietnam experiences.

[@c10wiremantawwallace13]

@@chuckmorris7043 I moved out of California just 5 years ago. To many crazy democrats for me to stand. So I moved to Arizona and it seems a lot of dam democrats did too. I couldn't handle liberal Portland OR for more than 10 minutes. lol. So I call Apache Junction Arizona home now. Only 5 minutes from my Gun Club.

[@kansaman1]

Hell yea team Kay!!! Good to se she back making noise!! Can wait to see her claw at the clouds again!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Hi and thanks for watching. We can’t wait either, need to do a few more things off the list for flight. Stay tuned I’ll have more videos coming out with our progress for flight.

[@kansaman1]

@@a26kspecialkay13 proudly display the spark plug on my mantle… can’t wait to some day see her in person and get some autographs!!!!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

@@kansaman1 Looking forward to it.

[@Blitz9H]

She looks and sounds good! Takes me back to flight line and the Convair 240s I worked with.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Yes there isn’t anything better than listening to the R2800’s cranking up. Thanks for watching.

[@dalecomer5951]

Good comment. Do you remember the prop circle diameter for the CV-240 with Hamilton Standard props? My mom worked for Pacific Airmotive Corp. when they provided world wide service and support for Hamilton Standard.

[@Blitz9H]

@@dalecomer5951 Good question. I don't remember the technical details.

[@patrickshaw8595]

@@dalecomer5951 Want me to look it up? Exactly which CV-240s? I ran a bunch of T-29 converted freighters back in the 80s and still got all the books somewhere.

[@dalecomer5951]

@@patrickshaw8595 I was curious if it is the same as the A-26 (12' 7").

[@cjwyhs9601]

Excellent work gentlemen! She sounds great!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thanks, since the Covid release the team has been working hard to get this far.

[@jamespollock2500]

AMAZING!! Thank You for the Video of Special KAY! To see what was the Latest in Tech from 80 Years ago and know without all the fancy bells and whistles we have today these Men of iron nerve flew and fought these craft to their limits and sometimes beyond and the amount of damage they took and still brought the crews home. Thank You for preserving that history.

[@stein_the_lynx3284]

never had the opportunity to see an A26 but i have been lucky enough to see the predecessor the A20 at the Amberly air museum in australia. absolutely beautiful lineage of aircraft

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Agree with you. Thanks for watching, more to come.

[@johnwillis4706]

Congratulations gentlemen, she sounds great. What a feeling it must be for you guys who put heart and soul into this restoration.

[@jamesharp3445]

My father flew these in WW2...it was his favorite aircraft. Shout out to the movie Always...great flying scenes with this amazing aircraft. Great job folks.

[@smitty1952]

Great job by a team of very dedicated volunteers. You can be very proud of what you have done bringing her back.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thanks you for the comment, and watching, more to come.

[@Wrootplonk]

Had completely forgotten how lovely those engines sound! Last time I heard similar ones was when the A26B called Sugarland Express flew at an airshow here in Norway. They're currently restoring her to flyable condition, so hopefully I'll get to hear the roar of those lovely engines again soon. Would absolutely love to hear Special Kay and Sugarland Express roar past in a formation, but it's a bit of a distance between them.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

How neat, keep us posted on her restoration. Thanks for watching, more on the way.

[@thomasneill965]

Nothing beats a radial!

[@Wrootplonk]

@@thomasneill965 The only thing that rivals it is a Merlin, but radials are awesome as hell.

[@JarOfDirt.]

What a beautiful aircraft!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Yes she is but I’m biased because she was the first aircraft I ever worked on back in 1968-69. I went from tech school on jets straight to the 603 SOS on A26K models. See some of my earlier videos for my history with her.

[@mhughes1160]

It’s great to see these old birds brought back to life , and so sad when they crash and are lost forever.

[@Patriotgal1]

No worries, our entire CIVILIZATION is in the process of crashing, and being lost forever.

[@phillipsprout7205]

I was stationed at Udon Thani, Thailand, in 1966. Occasionally these aircraft would land and park on our flightline. Painted flat black with little red tail numbers they were, indeed, an awesome looking aircraft.

[@XrayMike17plus1]

All history is important, IMO. Especially these beautiful aircraft. Well worth the effort to preserve them.

[@danielmurphy2164]

The A-26 Looks like a hotrod when compared to other twin engine bombers of the day ,love the lines of the fuselage on this plane .....beautiful beautiful bird.

[@maxsparks5183]

Gorgeous! Now that’s a lady to fall in love with! Thank you gentlemen for your hard work and dedication restoring this old warrior.

[@edkirkpatrick5864]

My first assignment out of tech school was to the 603 Air Commando Squadron at England AFB La. Worked on Special Kay and all the IF tails for a year. Seeing 679 fire up again brought back a whole load of fond memories. Thanks to all who worked to save her.

[@toddbarboza5513]

Good fortune and clear skies! I wasn't a K fan because I believed i was a ww2 buff, but Kaye and you guys have won me over! I'm a great plane buff!

[@cmdrfrosty3985]

this is beautiful. the a26 is one of my favorite warbirds and certainly one of the prettiest

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thanks, we think so also. Thanks for the comment. More videos to come.

[@frostyfrost4094]

Another Ted Smith wonder

[@paulkube3901]

My heart just leapt ! My late partner was "Kay". Her biz name was "Special Kay" (coincidence?). She was an avid lover of the old War birds, did art and litho work for MAMM (?) and collected originals, prints and posters of vintage craft. Serendipity, I suppose... Thanks

[@genebohannon8820]

God bless you and your late SPECIAL lady!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Yes indeed, serendipity at its greatest! Thank You for the comment and more videos to follow.

[@buzzabuzza3494]

Fantastic restoration thx for sharing 👏👏👏

[@larrywilson1783]

This is my favorite plane of all times. It's been in and out of service forever...I many wars and brought back to life again

[@a26kspecialkay13]

She is kinda my favorite plane also. Kay was the first aircraft I ever worked straight out of tech school. I was trained on F4s, F105s etc. all jet. My first base was in Louisiana, Kay and I were in the 603rd SOS.

[@kyleb3754]

As a fan of airplanes, Seeing this A26K just exist makes me EXTREMELY happy. Team Kay All The Way!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Glad it makes you happy, makes us happy. Thank You for watching, more to come.

[@steveo7767]

My dad was a navigator on the A-26 during Vietnam based out of Nakhon Phanom Thailand 609th Air Commando's. Originally based out of England AFB Alexandria Louisiana. NIMROD

[@a26kspecialkay13]

How cool, what is his name? We may have met at some point. Thank You for letting us know.

[@rachidmachado1722]

Wonderfull plane !! Amazing !! Hugs from Brazil !!

[@seabrooksynthetics]

Always nice to these intricate works of art resurrected.

[@dennispage8921]

As an 8 yr old boy living at Spangdahlem AFB Germany during the early 1950s I recall the small squadron of RA-26s photo recon aircraft. They would always be flying around. They are beautiful to see and hear.

[@TheGearhead222]

What a beautiful aircraft! I had no idea that radial engine bombers were used post WWII, much less in Vietnam! Great video:)-John in Texas

[@scott3837]

My father flew the C version during the latter part of WWII....it is great to see this On-Mark version kept alive and flying.

[@donalddarr3268]

I remember seeing her a few years ago when she was still unpainted and being worked on. Glad to see the progress you've made on her.

[@chuckbolik7060]

What a great bird and project. The tug was even cool. I so envy you.

[@tedjohnson9329]

My father worked at Douglas, in California, during the war. He worked on both the A26 and the A20. He always said that the A26 was the most fantastic plane because it had those two, Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines. The plane was considered overpowered, in a good way. I was very young at the time, but I remember the foggy mornings and later, when the sun came out, the sound of of those engines spooling up for ground tests.

[@bnln1939]

My father was stationed Albrook A.F.B. Panama Canal Zone in the early 1960's When the reacquiring the b26 back from South American Air Forces. For use in Viet Nam. Don't know what they did to them but the test flying done after they came out of the maintenance hanger's was awesome.

[@johnvanduren4806]

Compound Radial Engines, the most Beautiful sound in Aviation ! Nothing like it to stir a Pilots soul !

[@stephengranger9019]

Glad to see this plane brought back to life! These planes not only were used in WW2 but extensively used in the Korean War also I think. A lot of horsepower and fire power to destroy what ever it was going to take out. 8 50 cals and hard points to boot. Got to love it and great job there Special K❤❤❤

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Agree wholeheartedly. The “K” models were know as the best aircraft for anti personal, anti truck to slow down the supply line on the HCM trail during Viet Nam. Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more now that she is active again.

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

For those engines been sitting for two years they are on outstanding shapes.

[@jacktennant1942]

Good looking engines, I worked on R 4360 on a KC97 Tanker, it had 4 engines put out 3k each That was a lifetime ago

[@seannot-telling9806]

Always feels good when starting a project after it's been sleeping for a long time.

[@G0TBI]

Hi Guys Can you tell me whatradio equipment the Old Girl has in her particuarly interested to hear of HF radio perhaps? Thanks Stuart (Member of RAFARS)

[@redbaron983]

Fantastic plane re-construction.. Congrats

[@onebadapple83]

The PW R-2800 really should be given more credit as a WWII winning componant!

[@troygroomes104]

Beautiful to see q vintage warbird

[@wanyelewis9667]

I remember an army surplus A-26 in Ames, Iowa being used as a duster for Dutch Elm disease. It was 1969 & I was 10 or so. We lived close enough to the airport that you could hear him taking off, and a few minutes later, the earth shook as he flew over the neighborhoods, spraying trees. He had a nose wheel malfunction at one point, crash landing in a field off the runway. Pilot sustained a minor injury, and simply bought another one. Warbirds were plentiful then.

[@Mtlmshr]

Never looked at this channel before and I must say that I’m writing this just 15 seconds into the video…..that is one Bad Ass looking Aircraft!!!

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

I know that it sounds dumb but I had a 55, 2door Chevy with a big block and a radical cam. Sounds a whole lot alike

[@AFluffyBunny4]

My Father (Lawrence J Klein) flew the A-26 quite extensively. Here is his history for that time frame of his life: March 1952: Finished tour with the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron and transferred to the 452nd. Bomb Group (L) A B-26 (Douglas) Night Intruder outfit at K-9 Airfield (Pusan East) Korea. On or about May 1952 the 452nd was deactivated and we were reactivated as the 17th Bomb Group (L) *Note: The “Douglas B-26 Invader” was re-designated “A-26” in 1956. Not to be confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder, used extensively in World War 2) March - September 1952: Flew 55 Night Intruder Missions. Awarded a couple of Air Medals and a D.F.C. (Distinguished Flying Cross) September - December 1952: Temporary duty to Miho AB Japan. Flew B-26 maintenance test flights.

[@TairnKA]

Congrats on your outstanding milestone.

[@patrickshaw8595]

Mmmm! C-Series R2800s! BEST ENGINES EVER BUILT P E R I O D.

[@tigerphoenix7121]

This is the first I knew of an A26 in flightworthy condition. She’s just a beautiful and inspiring aircraft. I’m a fairly old guy too, past the half century. Would love to make a scale model of her. Would you like one for display? FOC but if you could provide some still images, most appreciated. Any information on her unique details would help. I have subscribed. Well done on all your dedicated work, from here down under in Australia 🫡 👍 💜

[@wingmanjim6]

Well done, gentlemen - hats off to you !

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thank You, much appreciated. Also thank you for watching, more to come.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great to see. Last video I seen of her it was still silver. Looks and sounds great. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thank you for watching and subscribing. She will look even better when we give her a good wash. More videos to come in the very near future.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

@@a26kspecialkay13 awesome. Thanks for the the hard work on her.

[@HootOwl513]

What is the aircraft in the background, camera left, with the yellow cowling highlights over black? Another A-26?

[@KristinaUSA-x5n]

My grandfather was U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander TBM Avenger torpedo bomber pilot Otis Lloyd Turner Junior Oscar in the Uninvited Squadron on the USS Wasp in the South Pacific in World War II.

[@slcm0248]

A real beauty.

[@av8tore71]

Not too many of these flying anymore. When I worked for Mark Clark at Courtesy Aircraft at KRFD I got checked out in the one he had before selling it. That was a blast!!!

[@possumpopper89]

Beautiful!

[@Erelus.]

There is one of these planes sitting at the museum at Travis AFB. I’ve seen it first hand. Nice plane.

[@garyechols9458]

Aah the dance of a double nine warming up

[@sandybarbee8401]

Thank You for the LOVE , Guys . I know you ain't gettin' rich doin' this !!! Can't hardly type , got water runnin' down my cheeks !! If I had "MUSK Money" we'd be buying up EVERY OLD Bird we could find . The SOB's who SCRAPPED them all should be Tarred and Feathered !!! When would it be OK to drop by ?

[@a26kspecialkay13]

The museum is open on Fridays-Sundays. Please come by and say “hi”. Thanks for watching.

[@sandybarbee8401]

Thank YOU for what you're doing ! I'm in MISERABLE WELLS but will make an effort to come and enjoy what you're doing .

[@scotabot7826]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@SuperGasguzzler]

When I was in Delhi, Tehran and Kabul working on the Embassy 240 and 340 Convair's as a cleaner, my dad a Korean B-26 Flight Engineer/Co-Pilot would not have a Tug hooked up during any engine run, also fire guard was essential.. but back then we had 115/145 Purple AvGas... Maybe that is why this doesn't matter any more...

[@rescue270]

The fuel makes no difference. 100LL is just as inflammable as 115/145. 100LL just has a lot less tetraethyl lead in it than 115/145. Those were safety precautions adhered to by the military.

[@loualiberti4781]

That Plane is Spectacular !

[@vitaliycherniak6714]

Amazing and beautiful

[@seanconservativeburke]

Love the sound of radial engines , compared to v block engine .

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Yes for sure. Thanks for watching. More videos to come now that Kay is active. Stay tuned.

[@b0BSh4nk3r]

what a beauty

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Thanks, I’m biased. She was the first aircraft I ever worked on in 1968-69. She and I were in the 603rd SOS, and now we are both in the same city. Thanks for watching, more videos to come.

[@genebohannon8820]

Get this thing armed for real. The country may need her to help save America again.

[@johnfromwv5331]

Hi Lefty! It sounds great!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Hi John, Thanks as good as she sounds, probably not as good as your big engine vette.

[@tomshiba51]

The propellers on a rubber scale model of this aircraft would still look scale. Those are wide propellers!

[@johneubanks5951]

That baby has gotta have one helluva starter and battery's..

[@billvoorvaart7206]

she is awesome you have another one too

[@rodanderson8490]

The A-26 when first delivered to the Army Air Corps already was already being called "the Widow Maker". AAC pilots didn't want to fly them. Someone had the brilliant idea of having them delivered overseas by Women Air Corps ferry pilots. The male pilots quickly lost their fear 😂.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Are you sure you're not confusing the A-26 with the B-26? I've never heard a bad thing about the A-26 but plenty about the B-26, which was tricky to fly and very maintanance-intensive. B-26's disappeared pretty quickly after WW2 and nobody missed them, but the A-26 lasted to the Vietnam Era. Says a lot about that airplane!

[@rickgibbs5450]

I was nukes my dad did 21 missions before being shot down, he was radio operator.he was part of d day,north Africa, bombing German war machine factories.

[@allanburt5059]

I was at Bien HOA in 1979-71 working Flight line Explosive Holding area and there were awesome A1E , A-26, OV-10 , O-2, A37

[@philfreeman5567]

I think you mean 1969-71. I was on a flight crew in 1971. We stayed over at Bien Hoa ( AKA as rocket city) quit often.

[@charlesharter3068]

Still prefer the B-25, but it's close! Absolutely Gorgeous!

[@TheClampettmobile]

Nice, but WHERE is this? And where's the orchestra - airplanes don't have music associated with them unless it is ROUND SOUNDS!

[@davidbevins8796]

I was just down there 2 weeks ago and sat and talked with two guys about this plane. It's actually in my KZbin video that comes out tomorrow at 6pm on my channel. Do it Yourself Do it Right

[@davef.2811]

Does this one have CB-16 or CB-17 eng's on her?

[@jamesireland6606]

How cool is this nice job

[@easttexan2933]

Are these the same engines as on the F9F TigerCat? P&W R2200 ?

[@romeo9017]

A shame cannot be said of the Vulcan rusting away here in Southend! Heartbreaking…

[@eustace2c2]

They don't make them like that anymore. A work of art that is a workhorse.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Well said, and Thank You for watching. More videos to come.

[@barrymeadows2103]

how does the cylinders on the bottom not fill up with oil ?

[@bobbyduke777]

They have to put this beast in warthunder

[@jimrestaino7763]

My brother who was 5 years old saw an A26 go into a flat spin and crash on some body"s front lawn in Eastmeadow N.Y. on Nov.2 1955 killing both airmen. Every time i pass by i think of this, not knowing what happened and does the people who live there, know a plane that big just missed their house. The plane was fling into Mitchel Field on long Island. It closed around 1960 due to all the houses being built like Levittown, just a mile east, to handle the boomer population.

[@lentzln]

NKP in 1968, so love seeing this!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

How cool. What group/ squadron were you with, do you remember the A26s? Thanks for watching, more to come.

[@lentzln]

@@a26kspecialkay13 I do remember seeing the A26s daily, along with all of the other prop aircraft and choppers at NKP. I was with Task Force Alpha.

[@benfranklin5255]

My father as well, with the Air Commandos. He would love to come see this.

[@gerhardp3430]

Keep it low and fast, I'll be outside at the old Saginaw airport looking and smiling!

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Roger that, come out to the Museum some day and say hi, would love to meet you.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello, that's a nicely cared for airplane. She looks good.

[@a26kspecialkay13]

Hi and thanks for watching. Yes she needs a good washing and some paint touch up after sitting in the hanger for a couple of years. Maintenance is the priority presently, then she will get a good cleaning for show.

[@alansherby4046]

Awesome 👍

[@marcblank3036]

Hop into the sky again soon, Special Kay

[@jaytowne8016]

OnMark Engineering Van Nuys Ca. R2800 CB17 s.High quality attack aircraft into the 1970 s . NKP and the Nimrods...

[@samrock7632]

These old girls carried enough armament to completely ruin someone's day.

[@asquare9316]

Amazing and beautiful, one of my fav planes of all time. Thank you for preserving it and keeping it flying. Is that an A3D off to the left behind the fence in the nose-on shot at the end?

[@glcm1961]

Lot of oil coming out - did you pull the prop through before cranking it over?

[@pmahaffey170A]

not only did we pull the prop through we did the initial start with the front spark plugs on the lower 5 cylinders removed. This is called a burp run and is essential when one of theses engines has been sitting for an extended period of time. You can see the oil shooting out of the lower spark plugs on the initial starts.

[@mick00000000002]

Fantastic nice )