GM Precision Sunbird
 

I started on my Sunbird kit this weekend. This is one of my all time favorite airplanes. If you have ever built a GM Precision kit, you know how nice these kits are!

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I got both wing panels framed up.. One minor mod, I eliminated one rib per wing panel to save weight. All of the wood supplied in this kit is outstanding!

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I never heard of them, do they have website?

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

They quit making kits in the early '90s. They had some kind of quirky designs but I have yet to find a better quality kit.

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Nice job so far! Always loved the way the Sunbird looked.

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Thanks deckerv
I love the looks of the Sunbird too! This will be my third .40 size, I also built one of the smaller .10 size a few years ago for a friend. I've been saving this kit for a while because of its rareity, but I recently bought one on ebay so now its ok to build one of them since I'll now have a spare!:D Not only do these planes look really cool but they really fly great too. My last one had an OS .46 with a MAC pipe on it and it really screamed! One of the things it did really well was flat spins, I think because its has such a short tail moment and a long nose. Only problem was getting it out of it, I would have to expect at least 3-4 rotations with full oposit controls before she would stop spinning! Not a great plane for smooth aerobatics but certianly a fun plane to flip-flop around! Not sure what motor I'm gonna put in this one. I'm thinking of one of those new OS .55's....We'll see. The real beauty of this airplane is the kit. Every part is machine cut, the quality of the wood it absolutly flawless, every piece fits together perfectly! Even the hardware package contains much better stuff than your average kit. I'll keep posting photos as construction continues
-Johnny-

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I've made a little progress. I've got the aileron torque rods installed. I'm going with a single servo for the ailerons even though I usually go with a dual servo set up. It will save on weight and I've used this set up on every Sunbird I have built with no problems. I'll pick out a new high torque servo.. I've also got the wing tips installed and roughly shaped. One small complaint, the wing tip blocks were about 1/4" shorter than the ribs that they are supposed to glue to so I had to laminate some scrap balsa to make up the difference. Not a big deal, I'm just glad I had some 1/4" stock on hand! I should be starting on the fuse this saturday, if I do, I will post pics.

-Johnny-

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I got back to work on my Sunbird today. I have the wings pretty much done, today I started on the fuselage. I've got the basic box complete, next step is to mount the engine and build the nose out of the 1/2' thick balsa blocks. Then the turtle deck is next. The wood in this kit is outstanding! All of the parts fit perfectly. GM Precision kits are a lot like the old Pilot kits, every piece is machine cut and ready to be glued in place....no die cut parts. I'll keep posting photos as I progress.


-Johnny-

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

A little more progress this weekend. Now its time for some serious sanding!

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I have a Sunbird 40 also. I look forward to building it in the future. GM Precision also made a kit called the Killer Vee. One of our club members had a couple of them and always raved about how great they flew and the quality of the kit. Good luck with your build.

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Thanks ptmac3, I have a Killer Vee in my collection! They do fly really well, very fast. They also made a really cool pattern plane called "Rainbow Runner" that looks similar to an Ultra Sport. They fly very well also. This has been a fun project and I can't wait to get her done!

-Johnny-ptmac3

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I had some time to work on my Sunbird this weekend. I mounted the wing and drilled and tapped the holes for the wing hold down bolts. I also glassed the wing center section and did some shaping on the fuselage. I also did some work on the tail...mostly sanding and shaping. She will be sporting an OS .46 AX with a MAC pipe. Still debating on the finish...I bought some Pearl Yellow Ultracoat but I am still thinking seriously about doing some kind of painted finish. Maybe silk and dope or koverall and dope. This is a rare bird that deserves a nice finish. Any suggestions???

Johnny

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Never heard of the plane before but it is very sharp looking. Nice job!

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Thanks for the compliment Mike They only made these kits for a few years. thats why I was sure to post my progress...I can't wait to get her done. As I commented in an earlier post, this is one of my all time favorite planes, and one of the nicest kits you'll ever build! This will be my 3rd Sunbird and I still have a prestine kit saved. I'll keep posting pics as I progress....Has anybody else built one of these?...I would love to someone elses Sunbird!

Johnny-

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I would love to see some more Sunbirds!

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Anyone??

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Here's mine

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

All right! So there is another one in the world! Looks nice, how do you like it?

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I liked it real well. on it's last flight I was having so much fun I was not watching the time. I started into a inverted flat spin at 200 feet, half way down ran out of gas.
Retrived the magnum 46 and waiting for the bulsa tree to grow, planted enough seed
at least one should grow.
Pat
PS I had it in my hanger for 4 years realy liked that plane.

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Well thats too bad Pat, glad you got 4 years out of her! I bought this kit off ebay, there are still some kits floating around. Laser-works has a short kit and they also offer some options like a symetrical wing and balsa fuse sides (instead of lite-ply). If you saved your plans, you could build another one! I think an Ultra Sport 1000 canopy will work.

-Johnny-

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Laser-works? Got a web addy?

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

www.lazer-works.com

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Thanks! [8D]

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

I bought a few kits from them, they do a nice job and are very reasonably priced. I think the Sunbird short kit was $35 or $40

RE: GM Precision Sunbird
 

Well I think I've decided on the finish for this bird. I was looking for Super Coverite but my LHS had some stuff by World Engines called Worldtex. I've never heard of it but the owner said it was just like Super Coverite so I bought a roll. I tried it out on a piece of scrap aileron stock then painted it with some Rustoleum and am pretty happy with the results! It went on easily and after a couple light coats of primer (light sanding in between) the surface looked like glass. I just need to decide on a color scheme!