Sky King's Songbird: Update: 3/2/24 - SOD .. BINNED

[Peterpools]

Seeing there are so many creative entries and mine entry was only going to be the Tamiya 1/48 F-14, I thought I need to pick up my game. First I thought  of doing a more challenging entry, the new HK 1/48 B-25J Strafer. I was getting ready to change my entry and then I found this gem in my not very local hobby shop - just happen to be in that neck of the woods this morning.  We Baby Boomers grew up with the birth of TV and so many of our shows have become classics and one of the classics was Sky King and his Song Bird. I found a long out of production Squadron Encore model of the Bamboo Bomber and one of the decals choices is for Sky King's Songbird. This kit lacks the colorful PE set of the Czech kit but I can live with that.

So, without further adieu, I present Sky King's first  Songbird.    

 

 

 

 

[Jeff]

Loved Sky King. Never missed an episode. My dad and I watched it religiously. Following this build , Peter.
Jeff 

[Landlubber Mike]

Cool choice Peter!  Looking forward to seeing this come alive!

[Peterpools]

Thanks Jeff

Surely going to be a nostalgic and fun build. I don't think I ever missed an episode as well ... just wonderful memories. 

[Peterpools]

Thanks Mike

In a big way after you decided on the Sikorsky, I knew I needed to build some as cool and different, as the Tomcat just wouldn't do. The Jug should be done this coming week and then it's time to get to work on the Song Bird. Doing online research, there is a lot of information on the Cessna itself both military and GA, but not a lot on the Song Bird. Trying to locate the PE set from the Czech model before the Squadron issued the kit without it.

 

 

[DocRob]

This is definitely cooler than a Tomcat Peter. I never heard of the TV series, but really like your creative choice.

Cheers Rob

[Bomber_County]

Never saw the show in the UK either, I maybe wrong though……

[Peterpools]

Thanks Rob

We grew up with such iconic B&W TV shows in the early 50's as: Sky King, The Lone Ranger, Rin Tin Tin and the Honeymooners.   Just a magical time. 

Yup. way cooler then a Tomcat and every time I see the box, I can almost hear the announcer saying: Out of the clear blue western sky ... Hope I'm close)

[Peterpools]

Phil

Most likely it was never broadcasted outside the states it was such a big part of my childhood, as our generation was the first to grow up with tv and tv grew up with us.

 

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Peter, this will be a different build to watch. Never seen one of these before nor the show so both will be a new one for me. 

[Peterpools]

Hi Carl

Welcome aboard and welcome to the 1950's. Hopefully should be starting by the end of next week as the Jug will be across the finish line.

 

[Jeff]

4 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Phil

Most likely it was never broadcasted outside the states it was such a big part of my childhood, as our generation was the first to grow up with tv and tv grew up with us.

 

 

I googled it a few years ago and some university and I can’t remember which one but they had all episodes  on line. I watched a lot of them and boy talk about going back in time and to a much simpler time in my life. It was blissful.  I wish they would bring those old shows back. … Broderic Crawford in Highway Patrol, Chuck Conners as the rifleman etc. build on Peter. This is going to be great!!

[Peterpools]

Jeff

How true ... nothing like the TV shows of the early 1950's and I try to watch a good number each week. Since deciding to change directions for the GB and build the Songbird, I've done a lot of online research, watched video's and lots of TV episodes online. For me this GB as now become a wonderful journey back in time. 

 

[Martinnfb]

There was a TV in the early fifties ?  Just kidding, such a great choice of subject Peter, beautiful little aeroplane. Very exciting, will follow with interest.

[Jeff]

That is so cool.  Those old shows and there are a ton of them, were simple, fresh, and not insulting to our intelligence and usually had a good wholesome moral in the end.  I live that stuff … unlike some of the garbage that is out there today. 

[Martinnfb]

Very true Jeff, Netflix should be sending out puking bags to its subscribers as a precautionary measure. I hope Peter won't mind if I hang this in here, for the younger generation such myself to get familiar  

 

[Jeff]

2 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

Very true Jeff, Netflix should be sending out puking bags to its subscribers as a precautionary measure. I hope Peter won't mind if I hand this in here, for the younger generation such myself to get familiar  

 

Totally agree.  Thats the show !

[Peterpools]

Martin

Yup, the best TV shows ever and the greatest decade to grow up in. B&W and you used your imagination to fill in the color. 

 

[Peterpools]

Jeff

Right with you 100%

[Peterpools]

Martin

Not at all - good, wholesome tv and always family values. ,Never any need to see what the kids are watching as compared to today. 

[Clunkmeister]

On 2/10/2024 at 3:33 PM, Peterpools said:

Seeing there are so many creative entries and mine entry was only going to be the Tamiya 1/48 F-14, I thought I need to pick up my game. First I thought  of doing a more challenging entry, the new HK 1/48 B-25J Strafer. I was getting ready to change my entry and then I found this gem in my not very local hobby shop - just happen to be in that neck of the woods this morning.  We Baby Boomers grew up with the birth of TV and so many of our shows have become classics and one of the classics was Sky King and his Song Bird. I found a long out of production Squadron Encore model of the Bamboo Bomber and one of the decals choices is for Sky King's Song Bird. This kit lacks the colorful PE set of the Czech kit but I can live with that.

So, without further adieu, I present Sky King's first  Song Bird.    

 

 

 

 

How can I express my feelings about this? Well, let’s see….

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

When he traded in his Bamboo Bomber for a 310 (yes, Cessna was a major sponsor of the show, back when personal airplanes were actually affordable), I cried….

But I did a lot of hours in 310s, so I get it..

Looking forward to seeing the old Bamboo Bomber, or the “Useless 78”  is what I also remember, come together.

As an aside with the Bamboo Bomber, the RCAF used a ton of these in its BCATP program through WW2, and many used wooden fixed pitch props.  On a nice, hot muggy Saskatchewan summer afternoon, an engine failure in one on takeoff  with full fuel and a plane load of trainees must have made for some interesting moments. 

[Clunkmeister]

17 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Thanks Rob

We grew up with such iconic B&W TV shows in the early 50's as: Sky King, The Lone Ranger, Rin Tin Tin and the Honeymooners.   Just a magical time. 

Yup. way cooler then a Tomcat and every time I see the box, I can almost hear the announcer saying: Out of the clear blue western sky ... Hope I'm close)

Back when family TV really was that. Wholesome shows where the good guys always won.

[Peterpools]

9 hours ago, Clunkmeister said:

How can I express my feelings about this? Well, let’s see….

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

When he traded in his Bamboo Bomber for a 310 (yes, Cessna was a major sponsor of the show, back when personal airplanes were actually affordable), I cried….

But I did a lot of hours in 310s, so I get it..

Looking forward to seeing the old Bamboo Bomber, or the “Useless 78”  is what I also remember, come together.

As an aside with the Bamboo Bomber, the RCAF used a ton of these in its BCATP program through WW2, and many used wooden fixed pitch props.  On a nice, hot muggy Saskatchewan summer afternoon, an engine failure in one on takeoff  with full fuel and a plane load of trainees must have made for some interesting moments. 

Hi Ernie

Part of the hobby for us old timers is the memories the kits and subjects bring back and I feel the same way as you. From what my research shows, the original Songbird was traded in for the 310B because it was plain old worn out. As a kid, I loved the 310 way better then the Bamboo Bomber, but these days, it's the other way around. 

Those early model 310's as with the Piper Apache's were way under powered but were the beginnings of two great lines of twins for decades to come, with the Apache ending with the Aztec and the 310 was always a 310, just so much larger and more powerful.  

Can't wait to get started this week as the Jug is close to being completed.

 

 

[Peterpools]

Er🏆nie hit it right on the head about family TV back in the 50's.

[Jeff]

55 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Er🏆nie hit it right on the head about family TV back in the 50's.

Absolutely. And there were a plethora of them and they were ALL good . And Martin is right they fuelled imagination in us young guys, didn’t we all play ‘Combat’, Rat Patrol, 12 O’Clock High, and even Gun Smoke. I know I had a model of the old Frog B25 and flew many 12 O’Clock High ops. Even if it wasn’t a B17. Oh the good old days.  Peter, can you tell all us old guys are chomping at the bit for your build?🤭 This is going to be a great build and a trip back in time.