OK, I didn't remember the cowl part. I had it bolted to the fuse when I mounted the canopy though. I found the problem, the front of the top hatch that the canopy attaches to is about .010" too wide and doesn't fit under the cowl. I was able to install it by putting a piece of card stock on the top of the hatch/canopy part, it then sides under the cowl, I then remove the card stock.

This is the nicest ARF I've had, if the only problem you have with an ARF is a part is .010" too wide, (high humidity in New Jersey?), it's got to be really good. I'm normally a scratch build and have built lots of planes, but I can't build this good, if you can let me know who you are and I'll root for you at the next Top Gun contest.