New Cowl - handle with care ** Pics added.

[Paul Taylor]

I am almost done with a new cowl for my SIG (ARC) Akrobat. I will try and figure out if I saved any weight. (You guys know I build heavy)

I did manage to put a few cracks in it while working with it. No big deal. A little CA fixed it. ( yippee more weight!  )

Man that is a lot of work, but sure will look better then that big hunk of plastic cowl when I am done.

I will try and post some photos with weight savings later tonight.

[Bob Reeves]

Ya.. Pictures....

[Paul Taylor]

Here are some photos.
I have a little filler on the cowl that I need to sand off.

I still have a little more meat to remove, but so far I have saved 1 oz in weight.

Still need to figure out were to put more vents in to let the heat out.

[Bob Reeves]

It looks fine...

[Randy Powell]

Paul,

Cowls are something you just get a feel for. Takes practice. this one looks like a good start.

[kenneth cook]

          Paul, have you settled on a way to hold it on? I sometimes glue small tabs of 1/32 ply on the inside of the fue protruding down into the cowl approx 1/4" to not only line it up but also to stop side to side movement while picking it up. In addition I have installed a crossmember down inside the fuse with a blind nut in it and I drill a hole through the cowl and use a long screw. Tp prevent the loss of screw I solder a washer on the inside so the screw never falls out. I then use a cut off of arrow shaft as a spacer so that I don't over tighten and crush the cowl. I first drill the through hole in the cowl then glue a piece of ply on the inside of the cowl. I then backdrill the hole this way the screw is seating on the ply and not on the balsa cowl. Looks great good luck. Ken Cook

[Zuriel Armstrong]

Paul,

That looks good.  Like I said, next time attatch it first and then sand it to shape.  Work on the tank you want to install and we'll get her together soon.

[Bryan Higgins]

Good Job Rootbeard

[john e. holliday]

The cowl is a good idea as I remember the plastic as being heavy.  But, looking at your cowl, you might think of closing down the opening a bit.  Like about half as much as you have now.  The out let needs to be at least twice as big as the inlet to create an augmenter effect. 

[Paul Taylor]

Thanks guys!

Doc,
Noted, I will try and add a little weight back to the inlet.

I am planning on cutting a few more vents some place to let the heat out.

[Harleyman]

Looooking goood!