I did a smilar plane a while back, and didnt like the looks of the front either, so I made a simple cowl up, I made a mold the shape I wanted out of scrap timber, then using a takeaway drink cup i slipped that over it and attcked it with my heat gun set on low. It shrunk to a nice snug fit, and I carefully cut out the vent holes and them made a ring out of 3mm liteply to attach to the fire wall which I glued the cowl to. end result was a nice looking liightweight cowl that cost a couple hours work and a drink in one of those chain fast food joints [:'(]. The white cup was even a close match to the white covering. Just an idea to contemplate