Just for grins goggle fiberglass specialties web site and look around. They have a lot of cowls and canopies plus landing gear for old kits and plans. If I'm building something like an Edge or Extra then I look around at ARFs of about the same size and but replacement parts from them. I have also taken the time to learn to make plugs and then make my own canopy or make a glass cowl. Very easy to do. I enjoy working with resin and glass, something you don't know until you try it.
Some kits today are almost the same price as they were in the 70s and 80s depending on the plane type. I do not scratch build these planes. Go look at the Blue Jay web site if you want a nice trainer kit of if you are looking for any of the old Bridi design pattern planes. These are fantastic sport planes by the way and something like a 60 size Kaos or Dirty Birdy is about $100.00, they also come with the LG and canopy.
There are a lot of places to buy kits besides Tower!! When I have a new student I used to have them shop tower for there gear. Tower was never the best prices but they were a one stop store. These days I will help a student locate there stuff and let them know tower is not the best place to shop. Look around, everyone here has a computer, quit pissing about tower and start goggling around. There are other places to shop. Anyone ever heard of Hobby Horse?? That one just came off the top of my head.
Tower swallows!!!!!!!!!!