I like this new format so much better!

[Tom P.]

The old format was so tiring that I had difficulty visiting and posting. What a hassle!!!!

I like this soooooooooooooooooooooo much better, I might even visit once in awhile.

[John D.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

Tom, Where have you been? Haven't heard from you in a while. Yes this format is a piece of cake to use and I absolutely love it also.
Qt: Are we permitted to use this forum to ask for a part that we need for our toys? I know we can't sell. John D.

[Tom P.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

John,
I haven't gone anywhere, but right here.
Actually I'm dividing myself in so many directions that I can't keep up with anything!
With my recent promotion, I'm now on a totally different job (can't discuss it here because of the classified nature).
I've got cars, projects and planes to work on now, a son getting married (remember that little boy at Bloomington), and not enough time for any of them!!!!
My more recent project is restoring a WWII bomber with a group of volunteers. We are literally doing a "frame off" restoration on it. Plus, my son and I are serving as part time crew members on another WWII bomber like ours.
The first is our plane (TOTAL RESTORATION) and the second one is the one that we part time crew (Zac and I are on far right). The second video is my son who is getting married next month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE7QNxMdz9c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps7rYtZL6zQ

[Bill W.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

love the sound of those big blocks. how about some photos of your restoration.

[Richard F.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

Those big blocks must have the optional off-road exhaust. Talk about the call of the wild.

[Tom P.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

love the sound of those big blocks. how about some photos of your restoration.

[Tom P.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

This is what we should end up with when finished in 2-3 more years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNZX_Gq_TU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIrZWimmN_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXXPkUvYlg

[Tom P.]

Re: I like this new format so much better!

Way Cool. Thanks for putting that up. Makes a Corvette restoration look 'mild' in comparison. Best of luck with the A26.

How many A26's are currently in flyable condition?

Thanks,
DP

I don't know how many are still flying, but for sure a minimum of 20 and maybe as many as 50.
When the last went out military service, many were bought surplus and used in forest fire fighting service as water bombers.
Prior to the extensive use of small jets for corporate/executive service, the A26 was one of the more desireable airframes for conversion into an exective type plane. When those conversions were done, the bomb doors were permanently closed and sealed. As a result, the more difficult parts to come up with for returning an A26 to the APPEARANCE of a military plane, is bomb door hydraulics, actuator linkage and gun turrets. The upper/lower gun turrets were remotely operated by by a single gunner and sighted by an upper/lower "periscope" mechanism, which he rotated around 360deg. And as he turned in a circle, so did the selected gun turret. All of those components are nearly non-existant. We have a few of those parts (but far from all of them) for our plane. One of the above pictures is the gunner's control/selector box for the turrets.