Doug L Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Hello, Would anyone know a shop/site where I could get a replica 60 size P47 cowl? My H9 P47 is still in great condition except for the cowl and it would be a shame to de-commission it. I was looking for a new cowl to do a refurb with electric retracts and a new engine. The is the original H9 cowl, but would be happy with a 60 size replica I could paint. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Vortex vacs here **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Is this what you are looking for? **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug L Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Thanks for the links... re the H9 cowl, i did see that but i think its bigger than the 60 size cowl. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Do you have the original? It is usually possible to replicate or renovate fg cowls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 Like Doug's, my H9 P47 cowl is knackered although the rest of the airframe is still nice and tidy after many years of flying - one of the best and most comfortable to fly scale models I've had in fact. I'm sure I contacted Vortex about their P47 cowl and they sent me dimensions which IIRC were a bit too small. Haven't had any luck elsewhere. Might have to refurb the original. BTW Doug, I've had a pair of HK servoless retracts in my P47 for ages that replaced the hopeless mechanical ones supplied - been very reliable. Edited By Cuban8 on 26/08/2020 10:57:02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuphedd Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 When ever I get afresh plane with a preformed cowl I tend , dependant upon shape, to make a cast out of cheap plaster . and then do the "pop bottle " shrink if I need a replacement , And now with the big 3 ltr bottles and the gallon water bottles , usually ribbed unfortunately , you can replicate the whole or part. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 Thats interesting do you cast the plaster inside the cowl? Then does it release ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 I have to make one for my h9 f6f hellcat 60. If anyone would like to send me their knackered cowl I could make a mould and cast some if there's interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug L Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 +1 from me. I fiberglass cowl would be good, as I do agree the P47 bubbletop is a very good flyer. Not sure if you can make a mould from one that's had a few years of some poor landings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 You can usually patch up a poor cowl or make a blank. Both involve patience and much sanding. I'm working on my Sebart Angel 50 cowl at present which was very cracked. Most of these commercial ones are a bit thin and the flexing cracks the gell coat. Beefing them up internally when new helps. I am planning to make moulds for the Hangar 9 Hellcat and P47 (the older 67 inch wingspan size for 60 I.c.) as these are not easy to obtain or are stupidly expensive or both! Watch this space or PM me for details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 I also checked out the Vortex ones. Not overly keen on those plastic vac form mouldings on large models. You cant beat fibreglass and its also much more repairable. I still like making balsa cowls the old fashioned way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuphedd Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 I cast the inside of my cowls , Just fill the new one with plaster , but support the new one in a bucket of sand so as the shape is not distorted, When you "shrink" a bottle onto the plastercast , leave the screw on top in place because I find that putting a little hole in the cap and using a foot pump / airline you can blow the bottle off the mould .Providing there is no reverse angles inhibiting the release . If there is no way of Blowing it off , I have resorted to cutting a straight line down the bottom of the Moulded cowl and peeling it and glueing up the cut Outside moulds I make in two halves , ie Acrowot ones and then lay up fibreglass , messy but fun especially when it works , , dont "paint" the plaster casts in anything , In my case it always sticks to the inside of the cowl wrecking both cowl and mould , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Work on a new cowl for the Hangar 9 P47 (60 size) cowl. The original with much patching up and splits. In order to create a copy from a mould made externally, I am going to close all cutouts and strengthen the original. The plastic simulated engine could be moulded anew from fg also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 The cutouts lose the rounded shape so need restoration. An internal template for the cowl fitting from depron. Some trial and error fitting required. Using shaped balsa inserts to restore the round profile and the engine plate removed (gentle heat to soften epoxy) to begin making a mould. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 A coat of fg cloth externally and internally after removing, with sandpaper all the original chequers (vinyl decals) and the soft gell coat which was delaminating and split. Primer shows up defects which will need rubbing and filling. Eventually I'm ready to start making a moulding frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 This first mould will give me a basic shape and is quicker than starting from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Phil, This is starting to look like the process I followed with the cowl of a DSM Joker. The original was a sorry 2 part ABS vac form. I joined the two halves which had inevitably fallen apart, glassed the entire inside filling all the holes previously cut for the cylinder head etc. I made an MDF plug which fitted into the opening to prevent it from sagging. I then filled all the dents and scratches with car body filler, sanded and primed it. I made a moulding box which I filled with 2 part silicone moulding compound around the plug open side up. It took 2 attempts, the second one worked perfectly. With the mould still in the box for support, I layered the inside with 81gsm glass cloth and laminating epoxy SP113. Then a second layer of 180gsm cloth. I did this in strips and reinforced the stressed areas with extra cloth each time rolling it to the mould surface with a DIY long handled roller. On releasing the completed cowl from the mould the first few attempts weren't great but eventually this is what I achieved. Andy. Edited By Andy Stephenson on 21/09/2020 23:03:22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Thanks Andy and a good result. It's satisfying to make your own especially when the bought ones are so flimsy. I intend to use 2 part silicone with some other material supporting and I may make a secondary plug to refine the shape a little. Here is the moulding frame under construction. And the engine plate being prepared for moulding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Richardson Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Hi Doug, I know its the other side of the pond for you and I have no idea of what your government would charge you for taxes but Fiberglass specialties **LINK** has the cowl you are looking for.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinBrian Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Tony beat me to it, I have had two cowls from FG specialities, price is reasonable but shipping can be expensive - c $20 however will be cheaper than an original bought in the UK. I did not have to pay duty on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Phil, If you are still intending making your own cowl using silicone as the female mould, you don't need to make it in 2 parts as it looks as if you are. Silicone is flexible enough to get a single part out of the mould. That way there are no split lines to worry about. The mould box originally had a bottom when the silicone was poured but it was removed to aid release of the cowl once it had hardened. One important thing when pouring the silicone is that you must make sure the plug doesn't move as it will try to float being lighter than the silicone. Edited By Andy Stephenson on 22/09/2020 10:17:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Andy, what size was that cowl? I think this 60 sized h9 cowl would need a gallon of silicone to do it that way and be thuck enough for casting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Brian and Tony, I cant find specific cowls on the FGsite for Hangar 9 60 size P47 or F6F. If you can find them and send a link that will be very helpful. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Phil, You're right it was a .60 size cowl. I used a 1.1kg pack of silicone rubber which cost about £20.00. I deliberately made the moulding box to be a close fit around the plug to minimise the silicone needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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