Australia – Return to flight of an A-26 Invader – updated

Daniel/Phil and Reevers team: is this aircraft a B-26 or A-26? It’s been referred to here as both. I’m curious, not wanting to make a mountain out of a molehill or cause any trouble!

Lovely footage of a turbine B17
http://youtu.be/ANuDjDJWdtE

Reevers in Australia have found 3 B-26 Invader films which show footage in some of their own former airtanker at work –

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reevers-Warbirds-Roundup-News/422369271274607

Thanks for the updates, Daniel. Following one of my favourite types with keen interest.

Another update on the Invader project.

Reevers has announced that upper and lower carry through spars of the aircraft, found inboard of the engines, are being sourced as the current ones on the aircraft need replacing.
Queries for new spar sets via emails have been sent out to a number of contacts asking for assistance in sourcing replacements.

Once suitable sets can be acquired and installed this will enable the restoration overhaul to proceed again back towards flight.
Additionally this current spar issue will push back the first flight into later 2015 now and will for now also put on hold the crew training.

So it needs to be under cover in South Australia, but was stored outdoors in Queensland. Hmmm……..Queensland sounds like a nice place…….but South Australia………I dont know….

Not all S.Aus. is arid. It’s a beautiful state with good weather most of the year. Queensland, on the other hand, is pretty. Pretty hot, pretty humid and a target for cyclones. Give me S.A. anytime.

A-26 Invader update

The return to flight schedule for the Australian based A-26 Invader, currently in Qld undergoing repairs and upgrades, has taken yet another step forward with official advice being provided on how best to conduct flight crew training.

This should now occur in early 2015 with the A-26 to be move south to its new home base of operations and airshow displays once all operational issues are finalised.

So it needs to be under cover in South Australia, but was stored outdoors in Queensland. Hmmm……..Queensland sounds like a nice place…….but South Australia………I dont know….

For one guy to fly it.

Is he a qualified flight instructor so that more can be trained in case he gets sick/quits/dies?

Reevers has started a search for an approved FAA and CASA CFL who can endorse several pilots… with negotiations commenced.

I understand that the Brisbane pilot who was endorsed on the A-26 by the Canadians has regained his medical. The solution may be close to home.

When is it moving to South Africa? I thought the intention was to operate it in Australia.

He may well mean South Australia.

Adrian

South Australia (abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent.

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UPDATE – B-26 Invader in QLD restoration

Further repairs are being carried out which will see the airframe overhauled to fly. New tyres are being sourced and arrangements being put in place for an overseas CASA approved instructor to travel to Australia to conduct training and endorsements for the twin engined aircraft.

The aircraft is at the moment, looking to fly sometime in the next 6months.

South Africa?

He may well mean South Australia.

Adrian

When is it moving to South Africa? I thought the intention was to operate it in Australia.

Another update on B-26 progress…..

* Both engine and prop work is now completed with oil reports in, compressions on all cylinders are excellent indicating on average 75/80.

* Cameron and his team are now focussing on the aircraft structure itself with close attention to any corrosion. All main and sub assemblies to be inspected and repairs conducted where necessary.

* Reevers has started a search for an approved FAA and CASA CFL who can endorse several pilots… with negotiations commenced.

* The only major obstacle so far is it appears there is no under cover space for the warbird in SA. All efforts to accommodate the A-26 undercover in SA are being fully explored.

We will advise on more news when it happens.

We have a new story for enthusiasts to read with some updates and 12 photos on the B-26 Invader in Australia – https://www.facebook.com/groups/253014804764295/permalink/688647021201069/

Some great news to share from Brisbane…. another mile stone reached today in the return to flight efforts for A-26 Invader VH-VNI.
Initial engine runs ups were successful and clean with no hiccups. System checks also completed with 100% results. Ground trials also proved brakes and other systems are operational. More engine runs are due over the next few weeks but this will depend on the results of oil analysis. Congratulations to John Dunne and his team at Aviation Component
Services (Qld) Pty Ltd for their work on the propellers and to Cameron, Rebecca and all the team at Performance Aero Pty Ltd. Final thanks to Randal McFarlane for bringing this aircraft to Australia for all warbird enthusiasts to enjoy.CLick on the attached file to see the video of the engine runs.https://www.facebook.com/phil.buckley/posts/10202003873558045

We have another B-26 Invader update from Queensland for followers and 7 photos.

“Each engine currently undergoing inspection and testing. This should be completed by end of April 2014, weather permitting and parts arriving on time.Work has also included the completion of the AD on the props which are ready for refit and this will occur asap after engine testing (compressions and or cylinder changes etc) . The next phase will be a series of engine and system runs.”

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=pcb.651954034870368&type=1

Yes, that’s the one, stangman. Macca, I think you might be thinking of the ‘other’ A-26 in the country. I don’t know the ID but she’s with the museum at Bankstown.

Is this the yellow ex-Airspray one that was on sale recently VH-VNI