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October 16, 2007
Good morning.. I was a young airman right out of tech school when assigned to the 850th FMS at England AFB. LA in January,1966. In that same year I deployed with Project Big Eagle to NKP with the A-26's. I was an engine mechanic and loved every minute I spent at NKP then. I returned in 1968 and 1969 and wanted to be assigned to the A-26 outfit but they needed my services with the A1E/H engine shop but my heart was always with the NIMRODS. During my last tour is SEA I was lucky to get an FCF flight in a 26 and that was an awsome experience. I'm getting ready to retire from the Air Force Reserve as an air reserve tech. after thirty some years and a C-130 engine tech. Nothing compares to the A-26. I'm sure I have had my hands on that set of engines on that A/C. Thanks for taking it under your wings and preserving one of the most awsome air frames around.
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April 14, 2007
I am interested in supporting the B-26K project on my show and site: www.bombardiersLounge.com on KRML, Carmel, CA. I was a Capt. in Special Ops Intel at NKP 69-70, code "Monkey Hotel."
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April 14, 2007
I am very pleased that you are undertaking this project as I believe these service men deserve hero status just as the Ravens should for all their sacrifice. We should never forget what these heroes did for us and for the world. Best wishes on your fund raising efforts and please keep me in the loop. These people were true heroes and our nation owes all of them our debt of gratitude.
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April 10, 2007
Your article in the AF Times caught my eye as I was a young airman assigned to the 606th Air Commando Sqd as an armament technician loading the A-26 during these times circa 1968 - I have lots of slides and 8x10 USAF Black and White Photographs from that period including our nose art. I first saw your A-26 as I passed thru Billings Mont on my way to go hunting in Winnet Montana and the memories came back. I retired from the USAF as a Loadmaster with a lot of flying time. I could fill you in on a lot of particulars on this acft - still have the original flight manuals someplace and ordinance manuals.
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March 29, 2007
I saw the article about the A-26 in the Air Force Times, 2 April 07. So I pulled up the web site. What a site. Brings back some old memories. I was at Nakhon Phanom on the A-26 in 1965 and 66. I have some good slides of a couple of the planes that were shot up pretty bad. We lost one, I believe it was # 673 while I was there. It crashed on the end of the runway from about 200 feet alt.When I got there in 1965 we had six A-26s. Then we got more and was up to twelve I believe when I left. I would like to join the Legacy Foundation. Is that possible? Thank You very much for the great site.
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March 27, 2007
I enjoyed the recent article in AF times about the "K". I saw that plane from the window of my airliner landing at Billings many times!!!! Always curious about the camo job on it: but never got over there to see it. However, while making this trip in route to Greybull Wyoming for government source inspection on C-130s; I came across a pristine 26 owned by the old Hawkins & Powers firefighting firm which sold out recently. I believe the aircraft is still there and probably a plethora of parts. I have contact points if you are interested.
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March 10, 2007
Congratulations on your fantastic website! I flew 182 missions with the Nimrods as a navigator in 1967-68. The experience made a lasting impression on me. I am a retired Air Force colonel. I just finished writing a book called "The Nimrods" that brings that whole unbelievable experience back to life again. I also discuss lessons learned for the current Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on Terror. I applaud your efforts to purchase and restore Aircraft #679 to flying condition. I have included information concerning The A-26 Legacy Foundation in my book. One section of my book is devoted to "Nimrod Photographs." Based upon my year at NKP, I have several aircraft and group photos I have included in the book. If possible, I need the written permission of the appropriate person or persons to reprint copies of photos from your website in the book. I like all of the photos but especially like the group photo of the Nimrod pilots and navigators in black flying suits the 1969 photo (could you supply me with their names?), and all of the #679 photos. Hopefully, my book will help you raise money for your plans concerning Aircraft #679. I am in contact with publishers and plan to publish this book within the next 6 months. Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience.
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February 20, 2007
I would like to be a member of your foundation .... if you have members that is. I live in South Florida, but, would like to give some type of help to your foundation. Do you have any static models of the A-26-A/B-26k in the Foundation? Let me know if you need one. Are you planning to take "Special K" to "Sun and Fun" this year if possible? Give me a heads up please on your future plans and any help I can contribute to your cause!!
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February 19, 2007
Thank you again for thinking of me and my dad. This is the first I have heard of this (UN Memorial Wall in Korea) and know that my Dad will be very interested in reading about it as well ... so ... I have forwarded your e-mail on to him. I have to share a story with you . . . I laughed when I received your e-mail because the timing was so funny. I try to make a donation at least every three months to a worthwhile cause and was trying to decide on one to donate to in March or April when I thought of your Foundation. I don't usually discuss the donations I make with my husband (he doesn't care) but since he's been out of work for about a month (he works in construction), I decided to tell him about your Foundation and how it is the cause I want to make my next donation to. All this occurred just before receiving your e-mail. Needless to say, The A-26 Legacy Foundation is on the top of my list for my next donation! I hope all is well with you and that you are making great progress with "Special K!"
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January 7, 2007
Where is the aircraft based? I have never worked on the A-26 but have always considered it to be one of the best light bombers that ever took to the air. They look pretty neat too. The last of them were being scrapped during my first year of a 20 year Air Force career. I consider myself very lucky to have spent a year in Thailand before we got kicked out. I worked on the AC-130s that performed the same interdiction mission the A-26 had performed. The VC hated them and actually had sapper attacks at Ubon. I worked on them there and at Korat after Ubon closed in July of 1975. Hope to see your invader one day before I go back to Thailand for good, I hope. Best of luck to you. I hope you can find a fuel sponsor, at 180 gph that would sure help!!
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January 4, 2007
Hey guys great web site. I am absolutely in love with the A-26K. For Christmas, I got plans for a Radio Control version of the B model. I am going to change it to the K model and enlarge the plane to make it 1/5 scale. That makes it have a wingspan of 14 feet and weigh around 60 lbs. I plan on visiting as many of the real planes as I can during this year. Most of them are static displays so that makes it fairly easy. Are there any good times to come see your plane to photograph it for reference or to come up sometime when you fly it so that I can video it in action. I am fortunate to have flown a Convair 240 which is similar in some ways which is about as close as I will get to fly a big recip. I love the big radial engines.
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October 13, 2006
My Squadron was parked off the main ramp from you guy's back over in the corner(23rd Tass"Nail")I look back on those times and wish that I was a little more nervy and gone over and talked to you guys. As far as being in a unique situation, guess I couldn't have found a much better one.. I was an OV-10 Crew Chief ( Mainly Nights) and stationed on a base with some of the most Special Aircraft in existence. Wow !I haven't seen anyone on the Net Print any pictures with the A-26's parked on the "New Ramp" that was put down shortly before they left the base in 1969 ?( I think it was?)The Ramp was made up of LARGE Aluminum Interlocking Panels ( Not PSP )?The reason I wanted to say Hello was with all the Missions You Guys Flew ( what a Squadron ) and the times I saw the RAM team there patching or Packaging You guys ( BAD Battle Damage ) I was on NKP, on the ramp the Morning You guys started up for your final Mission from NKP ...... As majestic as it was when the Group flew over in formation .... It was terribly sad..... In Retrospect, I knew you guys had a Big Job, But I didn't realize how Big......I just want to tell You Thanks for the Pictures of the A-26 Nimrod (wish there were more) Sincerely,
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October 13, 2006
I wanted to send you a quick note letting you know that thanks to your help, my dad flew in an Invader … and … thought you might be interested in hearing how I presented the surprise to him! I created a booklet about the Invader for my father and presented it to him as a gift at his birthday party. I've never seen my father speechless before but he was that night! Right before my dad climbed into the "Spirit of Waco" for his flight to Midland, he gave me a hug and told me with tears in his eyes how much it meant to him. As my dad said, the trip was priceless. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all that you and the A-26 Legacy Foundation have done for me and my family! It's nice to know there are people willing to assist in making a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happen!
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April 23, 2006
I have always loved the B-26 but since I learned of the On Mark mods done in '64, I have been fanatical about the B-26K. I have made a number of models in 1/72 and 1/48 scale and have bought any book I could find about it. I wish some one would write one on what went on over in Laos. Glad to here of your org. Keep up the good work.
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April 13, 2006
Hello, As a crew member on the warbird Invader "Spirit of NC", I keep a large display book that chronicles the history of the Squadron we represent (13th B/S) as well as our own bird's heritage. She was part of the first batch of 25 Invaders loaned to the French in late 1950 and she has flown over some of the same jungles that you folks flew over, just some 10 years prior. As part of our display book, I am happy to say our last page honors the 56th and the 609th with two photos from that era. We wanted to honor those who last publicly flew the Invader in combat. It is our pleasure to meet any Invaderman, whatever the era.
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March 29, 2006
My son, Tim, Col. USAF, flew the B-26. Awards included Silver Star and DFC for his activities over Nam and "the trail." He retired after 26 years of service and now flies for UPS. Needless to say how proud his family is of him and what he did. He sent us the data regarding the museum and "the latest." Thank each NIMROD for what they did for us in memory of those who didn't return.
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March 15, 2006
It is wonderful to hear about the A-26K restoration project. I grew up watching the older Invaders (C version) used as 'target tows' for gunnery practice for US Army in the 1950's, and still my all-time favorite. In fact my uncle was a gunner on A-26B in WWII. It would be very special if the A-26K could actually visit Air Venture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, but I realize the operating costs are very high.
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February 13, 2006
I worked on these awesome aircraft at England AFB, Alexandria, La. in 1969. We were the 603rd SOS (Special Operations Squadron)and I was a Weapons Maintenance Specialist. We used to service the .50 cals from the flat bed of a 1 1/2 ton truck, carefully backed up to the nose. We would swab the barrels with what we called "goose grease" a whitish lubricating grease and even swab the internal parts of the 50's with the same corrosion preventative. I'll never forget the smell and the distinct sound of the engines firing up and then the A-26 Counter Invader would taxi off for a mission. The sound would vibrate in your chest...it felt like a proud achievement, even if it was the jet age. The dual joy sticks in some of the cockpits still had the main stem wrapped in bamboo cain...looking at them, in 1969 it took you back in time, to yet another earlier military mission. I'm proud to have served with the pilots and ground crews who kept this military wonder flying.
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