Easy Radial Cowls

[Dean Pollock]

I started this winters project with a framed up Great Planes Aeromaster kit that I picked up at a swap meet a couple years ago, and decided I would make it a sister ship to the Red one I already had in the hangar. I decided it would be all white with the exact WW1 decals. I cut out a windshield template an got a new windshield made, and got an instrument panel installed. I didn't get a cowl with it, and couldn't find a suitable one in size or shape. I was in my garage, and spied an empty windshield washer bottle in the trash, and it looked like it could be a candidate for a cowl. The bottom of the bottle had a recess in the center, so I thought I would cut it apart, and see what it would look like.

I measured the distance I needed from the firewall to the front of the motor, marked the bottle, and cut it out with my Exacto knife. Then i cut out the center recess at the bottom, and it looked like a proper radial cowl candidate. I since did find an original cowl, and put it on the plane, but will finish this one up after I make up the firewall mount, and internal support structure. I just wanted to pass along an idea that worked for me, and seeing that there are so many different bottles available, a supply of radial cowls can be readily available. Here are a couple pics-- Dean

 

 

Edited By Dean Pollock on 26/01/2019 23:49:15

Edited By Dean Pollock on 26/01/2019 23:51:46

[Piers Bowlan]

That is very effective Dean and worked beautifully for your model, the trick is finding one exactly the right size. Also, because of concerns about plastic pollution nowadays, manufacturers seem to be making the bottles thinner and thinner, which is not ideal for a cowling although one can always reinforce with epoxy and glass or simply use the plastic bottle as a mould.

[Dean Pollock]

Hi Piers, I have found that the bottles most suitable are like this one that had an alcohol based fluid in it. I would think that maybe an oil container, gasoline container, some adhesive containers, would be suitable as well. I think that these would have a heavier plastic than a soda bottle. Sometimes u just get lucky, and find one that is a pretty good candidate. I'm at present fabricating the inner support structure using lite maple stringers for the length and have to cut out the firewall mounting plate, as well as the front opening. I'll post a few pics when i get it finished- Dean

[Mike T]

Good find and nice work!

I've found that the type of tubs used in the health supplement section of the supermarket are usually made of a thicker white polythene-y plastic, which can be painted if etch-primed (Prymol or similar) and with a similar useful indentation in the base. The trick is to find the right sized tub with the cheapest contents...

[Nigel R]

looks spot on

food grade stuff is rarely thick enough plastic for a cowl

what brand was the bottle, just for reference?

[FlyinBrian]

Aeromaster - my favourite aeroplane ever!

 

I must have built at least six and have an un-started kit in my garage plus a set of 3D printed ribs and formers ready for my next one.

 

OH and I have just got hold of a Giant Aeromaster - YaHOO!

 

Edited By FlyinBrian on 28/01/2019 20:41:50