This is for my Volunteer.

The 1/64th ply ring was a lazer cut item in the Volunteer kit. I placed it according to the plans. I used fast setting  super glue to apply it, glued my finger as well, fun.
This "idea" of the ply ring comes from two sources that I know of, Bob Hunt and Walter Umland. I have used it before and it made making the inlet hole much easier and truer, er, accurate.. Not sure "truer" is even a word. LL~Did spell check and it is a word.

OK, this is what I don't understand.  The ply ring is glued onto the flat face of the cowl block.  When you sand in the normal contour won't you end up sanding all the way thru the ply ?

Hi Greg. Well, it's in the kit, the original has it that large and it works. I'm not going to question Jim Lynch nor  his designs. 

I generally respect anyone who designs a successful model, but I've heard of instances where the design, doesn't translate in to an accurate representation by the kit manufacturer.

Does the original have such a large inlet?

If so and it works I'm happy to leave it at that.

Greg

I generally respect anyone who designs a successful model, but I've heard of instances where the design, doesn't translate in to an accurate representation by the kit manufacturer.

Does the original have such a large inlet?

If so and it works I'm happy to leave it at that.

Greg

Hi Greg,

 in the past that generally was the case with many kits however, with the kits I make I try to reproduce each kit as close to exact as it was designed
externally and make any/all mods only to the inside of the model for better/modern construction methods.

One of the great things about my Volunteer kit is the designer (Jim Lynch) was involved from the conception of the kit on to building
the kit prototype.