Lonewolf9757

My Feedback: (5)

Hello,

Where can i find canopys and cowls for scratch built planes ? i have built several planes but i always wind up making open cockpits... I want to build a mustang and corsair (90" span or so), but i think they would look really funny with open cockpits...
Can anyone tell me where to find this stuff ?

Thanks,
Tim
[email protected]

Rodrigo C

Lonewolf:

I think you will on;y be able to find cowl for scratch built plane only if you are building a plane that is already built by some manufacturer and the dimentions are the same.
Other than that, I believe you will have to make your own cowls or pay someone to make them for you.

Good luck

William Robison

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Lone:

Tower Hobbies has nearly a half page of canopy listings. If you don't have the catalogue you can call, they'll halp you. And do please, have the needed dimensions handy when you call.

Bill.

scalebldr

My Feedback: (7)

for fiberglass cowls for some plans and kits try fiberglass speciallties.On a seperate note does any one know what happened to fiberglass master?They had alot of cowls available for alot of different plans.

us1hydro

My Feedback: (23)

Have you considered making your own? If you can buy them thats great - and a lot easier than making your own, BUT if you can't find what you need you CAN do it yourself. Making a vacuum forming machine isn't that tough - certainly well within the ability of anyone that can scratch build a plane. You can do canopies etc with a simple home made vacuum forming machine. Moulds for making glass cowls etc isn't that tough either. It's a bit more work and definately easier to buy when available but not beyond the ability of an experienced builder to do it yourself.

Rodrigo C

Anyone happen to know where I can find information or how to make a vaccum forming machine?

Thanks

us1hydro

My Feedback: (23)

There's a guy that lists them on ebay occasionally - pretty easy to make. It's basically a square box vacuum chamber with holes on the top plate and a tube to connect to a vaccum (shop vac works fine) on the side.
You make a male plug for the part(s), set the plug on the top plate (with the holes in it), heat the plastic so it begins to sag around the plug - don't melt it - then aply vaccum & BINGO - you have a canopy!
I had the web address of a place that sells the plastic but lost it. If anybody has a web address for the heat form plastic PLEASE let me know!