Peterpools

Thanks Rob and you're so right. This is the only Songbird I know of and whatever it takes, I'll get through it and the build finished. No doubt, The Song Bird will have a special place of honor in my display case.

Thanks Chris ... Sky King was always one of my favorite tv shows when I was growing up. Washing all the parts is a great habit and procedure to follow. Guess I've been lucky over the years as I only wash kits parts if it feels greasy to me but it's way safer to start a build the way you do.

John Looking mighty good. Cammo and decal work are spot on the money.

Thanks Mike. rarely do I ever wash a kit before assembly but the Song Bird was pretty bad. I think we got your snow as we were only supposed to have 1-3 and it snowed all day today and didn't stop until almost 3PM

Carl Much appreciated and absolutely correct. For the build, I'm going slow and taking my time. When I get frustrated, I'm working on an alternate kit so the juices will keep on flowing.

Thanks Jeff Yup, the Songbird is going to be a challenge for sure as it sure isn't a Tamiya or Edward kit in any category. It's been a long time since I actually had to cut and make my own masks - now there was a wakeup call for sure.

Paul Will be looking forward to the build thread.

“OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE WESTERN SKY” SKY KING’S SONGBIRD Just a quick update to show that I have been actually working on the Songbird, as progress has been slow as every part needs a lot of cleanup and TLC. Looking over the injected molded and resin parts, the Squadron (Czech) limited production kit leaves a lot to be desired in the details and the quality of molding. But it’s the only Song Bird and a must build for me. There just aren’t any photographs of the Songbird's interior I could find online and the Squadron Instructions gives credit to Michael McMurtrey for his research into the interior colors. I’m going with the saddle/tan color combinations offered by Cessna in 1951, as that would seem to fit the western look Sky might chose. I was able to find some B&W exterior photographs of the Songbird and all the rest are either renovations or of Bamboo Bombers. . The build started with a thorough soaking and cleaning to remove the mold release agent and once back on the bench the front office and passenger cabin was underway. I'm planning on including as many details as I could from the period photographs that have a chance of being seen when completed. I started to add details to the throttle quadrant as the kit only included the upper portion, with lightly marked slits for the four of the six standard control levers: throttles and props, of which none were included. The lower portion of the quadrant which contained the additional two mixture control levers was completely absent. After I sorted out the throttle quadrant, I determined where other easily seen details should go and will be added, cowl flap and carb heat controls, trim wheel, flaps and landing gear handles. Additional switches, buttons and knobs will be added after it is painted so that the single IP decal can be added and the gauges glassed. The Song Bird is representative of the era, where the gauges were centered on the IP and both the pilot and copilot shared the same ones. The engines were naturally aspirated Lycoming R680 Radial of 215 HP. Kits are resin molded, nicely detailed, close but no cigar. The military version is also included and of course, shouldn’t be used. The rudder pedals required a good hour or so of cleanup and sharpening up the moldings for a better representation. The included resin front seats are strictly the military style and not used in the Song Bird. The kit molded seats are void of any detail and decal seatbelts are provided, which will not be used and will be replaced. There were a few side panels (fuse and electrics maybe) added to the cabin walls and that was about it. Studying the instructions in trying to work out how the floor, rear cabin bulkhead and rear seat go together inside the cabin was an exercise in frustration as the instructions were next to useless. Last to be done before being ready for priming was fitting and masking the windows - what a frustrating job but at least it’s done. I soaked the kit parts for hours and can still feel the release agent – so now each part is being wiped down with isopropyl alcohol as I remove the molding flash. Hoping to finally be ready for priming in a day or so, as we’re having the second snow fall of the year. Past Monday was nearly eight inches and so far, today four plus and it’s still snowing. Most snow we have had in over two years, as last year, less then two inches total. Interior cleaned up, glass installed and masked Balance of the parts I'm working on Some of the other parts that need clean up but I haven't gotten to yet. props are going to need a choice made: plastic or resin.

You're always a head of the game with a POA!

Looking mighty good and I'm always amazed how you have a project either on the bench or ready to go, while waiting for a parts order to arrive. Normally, I wind up just being in a holding pattern and if I start a fill in build, I tend to finish it before going back to the build I had on hold.

Paul WOW, the kit looks great and hopefully you will be doing a build thread not too far down the road.

Rob Right with Mike The chipping and floor wear and tear looks awesome.

Mike Some really nice progress on the Sikorsky - front office looks mighty good. Nice work as well in fitting the interior bulkheads Some careful work adding the interior bulkheads as proof on how well the fuselage came together. Some very delicate and well-done work for sure.

GUy I don't think I ever saw paint work done as you are planning on doing. Going to be very interesting and hoping to learn a few new techniques as well.

Mark Making nice progress - the fit looks spot of as well.

Carl Nice work on the masking and it's always a good feeling to start the painting stages of a build.

Carl Looking good and thanks for showing su a new masking company; can never have enough, as some much is always out of stock.

Martin just never fails to amaze me with the incredible images he finds for us. So much very appreciated.

Looking so good.

Oliver Beautiful work on the toolbox - well worth all the effort and work.

Carl Right with Rob ... looking mighty good.

Tim Looking forward to it.

Thanks Paul for your very kind comments on the Jug.

Hi Hubert Yes, there are slight differences in the kits when seen side by side and pretty much the same as any two manufacturers producing the same kit. Some of what you are seeing is just the fact of how the kits were photographed, with one being in front of the other and the camera does make slight adjustments. Almost all the images I post on the forum are focused stacked for maximum sharpness and DOF in Photoshop and when the pixels are aligned and blended together, sometimes shapes change very slightly. Also, when taking the 5 plus images that become one, there is a bit of focus breathing as well. My long winded explanation explains why the two Jug seem to look more differently then they actually are. Close up, they do look pretty close in shape and outline.

Thanks Carl. I was a bit surprised in the end that how well the MiniArt Jug came out and at the same time, how well the Tamiya kit has held up. I tried to be fair in my assessment and comparison and each kit offers the builder something different.