SOH A-26 Invader, the story continues ...

**Switchblade408** · January 18th, 2019, 18:23

Side note, if you have any questions you need to run by the Kay crew, I may be able to get some answers for you over the weekend. If I'm not at the museum tomorrow, I should be there on Sunday.

**gman5250** · January 19th, 2019, 09:19

Originally Posted by Switchblade408

Side note, if you have any questions you need to run by the Kay crew, I may be able to get some answers for you over the weekend. If I'm not at the museum tomorrow, I should be there on Sunday.

That would be awesome! In a perfect world I need about a week with the real airplane with camera and notebook in hand. lol

Other than that, the team has documented the restoration with a few hundred photos and a very good walk around video. I was able to glean a lot of data from those sources, but there are some areas that are foggy. One area is the circuit breaker panel. I know the team documented the various panel restorations with photos of the newly powder coated/screened parts. I haven't seen anything like that that documents the circuit panel. Anything there would be extremely helpful.

As the project stands now, the model is very close. I have someone ready for the TackPak code once I bring the switches live, so that is ongoing.
To be realistic, I think an FSX/P3D/P3D PBR model will be ready shortly.

Beyond that, I'm looking at this project as an honorarium to the Kay restoration and crew, therefore a comprehensive re-model of the full VC is in order. That means a second release of a fully V4 or V5 capable model at much higher model resolution than the current. To do that any and all cooperation with the crew would be very much appreciated, so let them know that I am open to that conversation. The data needed for that would be schematics, drawings and hands on working knowledge of the airplane.

**docjohnson** · January 19th, 2019, 11:08

Man she's beautiful!

***Navy Chief*** · January 23rd, 2019, 05:28

I contacted Gman about this, but wanted to share with the rest of SOH who are following this thread. A friend of mine, a retired Navy Master Chief, Frank Turchi, runs the Maintenance Tech. Publications Library for the Naval Aviation Museum, here in Pensacola. Every so often, I go visit him. Went there yesterday, and during our discussions, I made mention to him that the A-26 is being recreated for FSX/P3D. He is more than a little interested in this, as he was a crewman on Invaders. Frank is in his mid 80s, I believe. Tough old guy, and takes a lot to slow him down! He is a avid RC enthusiast as well, and just recently acquired a A-26 JD with retractable gear that he has been flying quite a lot.

Frank just bought a new gaming pc this past week, and is buying P3D. I look forward to helping him get things set up. He hasn't had a fast enough computer to do much simming at all, so this will be a new adventure for him! Bring on the Invader! Frank is really hoping the following paint scheme will be included, or done soon! NC

**DennyA** · January 23rd, 2019, 12:45

Gman, it's looking amazing!

Just curious, did you figure out what was causing the CTDs yet?

**Switchblade408** · January 23rd, 2019, 17:48

So, I've been beta-testing the B-26K. I have thus far been VERY impressed with the aircraft (even in the WIP state it is in). I would like to do a video on it on YouTube, if Gman allows it, to show everyone what I think about it so far. Is that alright with you, Gman?

**gman5250** · January 24th, 2019, 04:45

Originally Posted by Switchblade408

So, I've been beta-testing the B-26K. I have thus far been VERY impressed with the aircraft (even in the WIP state it is in). I would like to do a video on it on YouTube, if Gman allows it, to show everyone what I think about it so far. Is that alright with you, Gman?

Absolutely...looking forward to it.

Wait for the updated model...incoming today.

**Switchblade408** · January 25th, 2019, 19:50

This was all done in one take, with a sub-par microphone for the "talky bits" where do just a bit of nit-picking. As you will hear in the video, I LOVE this airplane.

https://youtu.be/ShjqDwGDUmw

**DaveQ** · January 26th, 2019, 13:44

Great work!! But always remember you can't use full flaps with ordnance still on the wings!! This was a lesson we learned during development

!

DaveQ

**DaveQ** · February 26th, 2019, 00:36

After a lot of work on tidying up, this limited conversion to FSX-native is now available here in the Library. It has 10 models and 18 skins and represents the A/B-26 from 1945 on, up its early days in Vietnam. Some of the paints are mine, and others are from earlier times. Basically any paint will fit but you may need to get rid of common textures. Specs and bumps are included. The vc has not been updated apart from the addition of a rather lovely M20 gunsight from ********. If you already have a copy in your Airplanes directory you may need to delete the panel folder, otherwise the old 2D gunsight will appear. Hope you enjoy it as much I've enjoyed doing it!

DaveQ

***WarHorse47*** · February 26th, 2019, 14:49

Dave, quick question.

Many of my older paints have textures titled "_spec", whereas the newer paints have textures titled "_s". Are these one and the same? Or, in other words, if I bring over the older textures should I rename the file from "_spec" to "_s"??

Just curious. Not sure if I want to do all this but in case I get bored during the next snow storm.

**MZee1960** · March 11th, 2019, 11:45

Originally Posted by DaveQ

After a lot of work on tidying up, this limited conversion to FSX-native is now available here in the Library. It has 10 models and 18 skins and represents the A/B-26 from 1945 on, up its early days in Vietnam. Some of the paints are mine, and others are from earlier times. Basically any paint will fit but you may need to get rid of common textures. Specs and bumps are included. The vc has not been updated apart from the addition of a rather lovely M20 gunsight from ********. If you already have a copy in your Airplanes directory you may need to delete the panel folder, otherwise the old 2D gunsight will appear. Hope you enjoy it as much I've enjoyed doing it!

DaveQ

Stupid question of the day -
The version I currently have is in post #5 of this thread, and I believe this was a FSX conversion. What is meant by 'limited conversion' to FSX native ? My favourite is Gordon's 'Sugarland Express' - and it flies well / looks great for me in FSX already. I realize FSX native models 'behave' better than port-overs in FSX, ... so just wondering if I should re-install with this 'limited conversion ' version.

**DaveQ** · March 11th, 2019, 12:10

Originally Posted by MZee1960

Stupid question of the day -
The version I currently have is in post #5 of this thread, and I believe this was a FSX conversion. What is meant by 'limited conversion' to FSX native ? My favourite is Gordon's 'Sugarland Express' - and it flies well / looks great for me in FSX already. I realize FSX native models 'behave' better than port-overs in FSX, ... so just wondering if I should re-install with this 'limited conversion ' version.

This is a conversion of the original to FSX-native but lacks an up-to-date cockpit. It has bump maps and spec files that enhance the external view and the props and glass behave properly (no pun intended!!). There are also ten different models to play with. But I suggest that if you're happy with what you have, stick with it. Alternatively save it somewhere safe and try this one out. Nice screenshot by the way!

DaveQ

**MZee1960** · March 11th, 2019, 12:47

Thanks, Dave !

I think I will take your advice and save my current one to the desktop, as backup, and then try this one.

You had me at 'spec and bumps that enhance the external view' .

After seeing Gordon's latest post pics here, below, ... my appetite for aluminum skins just increased 100 fold, lol !

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...=1#post1177775

***Navy Chief*** · March 12th, 2019, 13:11

Where is this scenery? Thanks, NC

Originally Posted by MZee1960

Stupid question of the day -
The version I currently have is in post #5 of this thread, and I believe this was a FSX conversion. What is meant by 'limited conversion' to FSX native ? My favourite is Gordon's 'Sugarland Express' - and it flies well / looks great for me in FSX already. I realize FSX native models 'behave' better than port-overs in FSX, ... so just wondering if I should re-install with this 'limited conversion ' version.

***gray eagle*** · March 12th, 2019, 13:47

Originally Posted by Navy Chief

Where is this scenery? Thanks, NC

Hi Pete,

Looks like Monterey Ca airport - orbx has a scenery file for this.

http://c-aviation.net/review/monterey-regional-airport-orbx-review-6/

**MZee1960** · March 12th, 2019, 15:15

Yes, it's Orbx's Monterey, indeed .

**FlyingsCool** · March 15th, 2019, 09:39

My latest paint job I've been working on. Just looking for more stencil documentation at this point. Collings' "My Mary Lou", currently under reconstruction, after having suffered a serious crash in 1993.

Oops, Tondelayo slipped in there, too.... For the RCBS model... Don't know if I'll be able to release that one...

***jankees*** · March 17th, 2019, 02:31

jk8996

jk8997

jk9006

***DC1973*** · March 17th, 2019, 04:55

Beautiful work as always Jankees!

***Navy Chief*** · March 17th, 2019, 06:31

A friend of mine is working on this Calspan Corp. B-26 repaint. This aircraft was contracted by the govt.to provide training at USNTPS. At the time, I was working in the AME shop of the USNTPS Maintenance Division. I managed to get a ride in it. Nice. NC

***jankees*** · March 17th, 2019, 09:07

just uploaded these three:

jk9053

jk9038

jk9057

***WarHorse47*** · March 17th, 2019, 18:21

Cool repaints. Thanks, Jankees. Looking forward to yours, FlyingsCoool.

Still hoping someone might look at doing "Sweet Eloise II"? I have some good photos if needed.