It looks fantastic. Glad to hear you have beaten cancer as well. Keep posting up pics of your progress. This is a very interesting build.
I like to make cowls out of foam then fiberglass them and dig the foam out. I think your plane would look nice if you transitioned the cowl from the hex shape at the rear to completely round or oblong at the prop. Very quick and easy to do. I don't dig the foam out until I've put on a couple coats of primer. It's much easier to sand as a solid. Prime, dig the foam out, make your cutouts, then prime once more and paint.
Carl