Sig Super Chipmunk Cowl

[Gary Alspaugh]

I am building a Sig Super Chipmunk kit and would like to replace the plastic cowl with a fiberglass one. Does anyone know where I may purchase one, Thanks Gary A. AMA 50001.

[Balsa Butcher]

I don't believe anyone presently or possibly ever, produced a fiberglass cowl for the Sig Chipmunk. The plastic one isn't all that bad. Reinforce with fiberglass at the seams and it will hold together. Many just ditch it and build a "standard" stunt front end with carved cowl. The original Van Loo Chipmunk was done that way. 

[Jerry Leuty]

I have built several S/Chipmunks and variants over the years. They are great stunt planes. If you can keep it light a strong .35 or .36 is enough power but it has to be light. Otherwise get a good .40 or .46. Then there is that extra weight. That is the problem with these Classic era planes is most were designed around the Fox .35 that was available at the time. Anyway the plastic nose cowl is way too heavy to actually use. One might assemble the original one supplied in the kit and use it for a mold. But like already stated just make a standard stunt nose for it and put the identifying paint job on the plane. It will look great.

[Brian Massey]

I used the plastic cowl on mine, and used silk and epoxy to reinforce the seam. Also be sure to reinforce the area where the mounting screws pass through . . . and make sure that part of the cowl rests flush with the fuse. I'd also reinforce the area around the muffler cutout just to be safe.

Overall, that seemed to work fine. The plane came in at 51 oz, heavier than I wanted, but flew great with a B-40. The plane was built with all kit wood, maybe a reason for the weight. I have a second on the building bench now, it will include some of the Dave Fitzgerald mods. Can't wait to fly that one.

Brian