Worlds most beautiful maintained A-26C?

[thudpilot]

.
It's an A-26C-50-DT production number 44-35788 and while purists may discount the polished aluminum skin and lack of military markings she makes a lasting impression wherever seen. Registered as N26BK and owned by Howard Kech of Van Nuys, CA.

Howard is actually an A-26 third generation owner ... and also owns a (second) gleaming polished aluminum six place A-26B On-Mark Marksman conversion, production number 44-34766. Now registered as N26BK it is one of the most charismatic looking corporate transports ever produced and turns heads like no biz-jet ever could.



Photos courtesy Howard B. Kech, Jr.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/1_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/2_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/4_A26.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/5_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/6_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/8_A26.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/10_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/11_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/13_A26.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/14_A26.jpg

[Milton Shupe]

Thudpilot,

You have this knack for coming up with the greatest references and pictures during this project. These are just awesome. I would love to see some from that B model as well.

Maybe before this is all done, a bare metal B or C version can be produced ... not for the faint of heart if its photoreal.

Thank you

[Bomber_12th]

I'd like very much to use this aircraft as a source for a photoreal base paint, but no way can one get a clear straight shot of all of the fuselage with those dang nacelles always in the way, lol. No where have I seen photos of the wings, upper and lower, or horizontal stabilizers, upper and lower either unfortunately. :d

These photos have though, provided a lot of valuable information for my texture work thus far!

[viking3]

Man, that's a lot of elbow grease to get it that shiny.:cost1: I have spent some Extra Duty time in the Air Force(stupid alarm clock:isadizzy: ) polishing aircraft so I knows of what I am talking:costumes: .

Regards, Rob:ernae:

[sparks]

Some people just have the best toys...

[thudpilot]

Thudpilot,

You have this knack for coming up with the greatest references and pictures during this project.
These are just awesome. I would love to see some from that B model as well.

Milton


Here it is:
A-26B On-Mark Marksman conversion, production number 44-34766 now registered as N26BK.

Note: Bare metal fuselage, white painted wings


Photos courtesy Howard B. Kech, Jr.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/1k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/2k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/3k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/4k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/5k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/7k.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/thudpilot/6k_2.jpg

[thudpilot]

I'd like very much to use this aircraft as a source for a photoreal base paint, but no way can one get a clear straight shot of all of the fuselage with those dang nacelles always in the way, lol. No where have I seen photos of the wings, upper and lower, or horizontal stabilizers, upper and lower either unfortunately.

These photos have though, provided a lot of valuable information for my texture work thus far!
Man, that's a lot of elbow grease to get it that shiny. I have spent some Extra Duty time in the Air Force (stupid alarm clock) polishing aircraft so I knows of what I am talking. :costumes:
Regards, Rob

John & Bob,

Phew, just the thought http://www.alphasim3.com/forums/Smileys/default/nervous.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0);) of having to polish an all aluminum airplane is overwhelming; however, a repaint for that A-26C may not be as difficult to duplicate as first thought. Yes, the fuselage, vertical fin, engine cowls, leading edge of the main wing and tips are polished aluminum ... but the engine nacelle, top & bottom of the main wing, ailerons, flaps, horizonal stabilizer, elevators, and rudder are painted .http://www.alphasim3.com/forums/Smileys/default/hail1.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0);) grey.

[invader26]

Great photos!

I had the pleasure of visiting Keck's hangar at Van Nuys back in 2002. At that point, N126HK was in the final stages of its rebuild. It was mentioned that it was to be fitted with additional internal tanks in order to be able to cross the Pacific Ocean and reach Hawaii... I'm not sure why?
Also present in the hangar was N26BK. What can I say except for: "WOW"!


I strongly encourage the team's developers to produce one or two executive versions of the Invader, for instance an On Mark Marksman or Marketeer. I realise focus will primarely be on a B and C model, then a K model... but I will keep my hopes up for a civil version of the mighty Invader. The term "Boardroom Bomber" comes into mind.