Peterpools

Jeff Absolutely adds to the build and heightens the interest. I'm sure I could find out more but most of what I wanted to know was answered. I'm guessing as the Songbird airworthy certificate expired in 2000, she hadn't been flown for some time prior to that for whatever the reason. Maybe someone bought her and is restoring the Songbird for a museum ... who knows.

Rob Brilliant work on the IP ... just loving the build.

Ernie Awesome progress and keep the operational details comin.

Martin Right with Rob - looking mighty good.

John Simply perfect and agreed about the late war cammo schemes. The fit of all the AM looks flawless. 🏆 How many 109's is it now?

John Amazing work as always. 🏆

Gus Some terrific work on the major components of the front office and completely agree about how good the 3D cockpit decals are. The ejection seats look amazing with all the molded on details and I only wish every manufacturer would do their seats this way: especially with the molded on belts.

Mark, nice buy and I'm sure it's going to be a terrific addition to your collection.

Hi Jeff You started me thinking about the original Songbird (correct spelling) and I spent a good few hours researching its history through FAA Registration site. One story I found online goes " ...Grant sold the airplane in 1956 to a rancher friend for $1, as it had dry rot in its main spar and his friend was looking for a restoration project...." Then Kirby Grant bought a Cessna 310B. Further research through the FAA Aircraft Registration site had a different information available. The Songbird: N67832, Serial Number 6117, 1943 Cessna T50 owned by Paul Mantz (yes, the famous Paul Mantz). Built by Cessna and sold to the USAAC; UC-78B, 43-32179 Engine was a Lycoming R680 Radial of 215 HP and not a Jacobs radial as earlier research showed for T50's. Last registered owner: Ferro Winfred J., Clinton. Mo. Last airworthy date: 2000-06-23 Last Action Date: 2019-02-07 Expiration: 2022-02-28 Trying to piece the story together, how did Kirby Grant sell the plane when it was owned by Paul Mantz? Did Kirby Grant buy it from him? When did Ferro Winfred purchase the Songbird? FAA records only showed the last owner of the Songbird but nothing about purchases or the list of past owners. It seems that Kirby Grant's friend did restore the Songbird and must have sold it. FAA records indicate the registration number has been inactive for a number of years but nothing about what actually happened to the Songbird. This is the best I could do.

Carl What a terrific idea and going to enjoy following your progress.

Ernie Awesome progress and thanks for clearing up the mystery about the astrodome. I never knew. I still wonder in today's age, how manufactures can get things so wrong. if we can figure it out, they certainly should have.

Rob Bombs look mighty good the IP, going to be awesome for sure.

Mark Looking so good and the nav light ... wow.

Chris, Just seems that's always the way these days; the kit comes pretty close to being the least expensive part of a detailed build. Open canopy and the Quinta set .. no pilots Closed canopy, use the pilots but no sense in using the Quinta set. Cockpit color is: FS36231 - I always use MRP for the color. ..

Ralph Pretty neat way of dealing with display space for the larger models. I just always worry about dust and cleaning them.

John Sounds good. Any chance of the 109's catching the Corsairs?

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!