How have you guys be doing the hold downs?Best, DennisT
Once, in sheer desperation on a Barnstormer, I used two big rubber bands. Worked like a charm. No extra points though.
That's what I did after I tried to use magnets.
I use two pins in front and a mason-jar-type latch in the back. It's quick.
Here's my Jaguar cowl.
Meticulous workmanship Dennis!
magnets dont work 100% of the time.....its the 1% that gets you
This is Wes Dicks "Ares": pins and latch.
That's what I was thinking.
Those latches are/were available from Fourmost Products and either Kavan or Graupner. Pretty slick, but a single 4-40 screw with locator pins is slicker. I've seen a few use 2-56 screw, which is plenty strong enough, but harder to find when one drops it in the grass or even on pavement, and much less likely you'll be able to mooch a 2-56 than a 4-40. On the nose is not a place where the weight difference will mean anything, anyway. I recall Howard's fun with the magnets. Also recall an electrified Nobler shedding the battery through the cowl and pulverizing itself due to the CG shift. Velcro straps are not adequate for battery retention, plus they do wear out. Steve
In an IC model, if you can find a way to bolt the muffler last, more prevention.
If the cowling is vented correctly the pressure won't be very high.
Conversely (Conversely?) if you use magnets and the cowl blows off, you will know that it's not vented correctly.