Building my first plane
 

Building the first plane. I was wondering, so I don't screw up the engine cowling when I cut it for the first time, how do I measure/mark the hole that I need to cut on the cowling for the engine cylinder. I assume that I can make a template somehow.

Moral to the story, I don't want to screw it up by guessing where the hole and going to it with the drimmel tool. I thought that there might be a better way of doing it.

Thanks for any help

RE: Building my first plane
 

1. First get the uncut cowling mounted properly with it's mtg screws in place on the "head" side.
2. Remove cowl and then mount engine.
3. Attach a piece of cardboard to the plane using the cowling mounting holes.
4. Cut away at the cardboard until you like the fit.
5. Move cardboard over to the cowl. Use a marker to transfer the hole dimensions to the cowl.
6. CUT CAREFULLY!!
7. Assemble everything and figure out what changes are needed.

RE: Building my first plane
 

RE: Building my first plane
 

Its important to make sure your engine crankshaft exits the front of the cowling perfectly centered.

If the engine cylinder head will not fit inside the cowling without cutting a hole, then you should use the method bruce88123
has offered above.



If the the cowling will fit over the engine cylinder head, remove all items that will end up sticking out of the cowling, like the , muffler ,high speed needle ajustment screw,etc.
Then go ahead and mount it allowing proper spacing for your prop/spinner.

i like to clear plastic, like off a pastry container or any thin plastic. since You can see through it ,hole marking is very easy.

Once the cowling is mounted and all screw holes made,remove it again and , cut a piece of the plastic long enough to
reach from the needed cut outs back to the fuselage.
Tape the plastic to the fuselage and overlap your first cut out, such as for the glow plug. Once marked ,cut a hole large
enough for a glow driver.
Then mount the cowling laying the plastic strip over the outside of the cowling,and trace the hole you cut onto the cowling.
Do the same for high speed needle adjustment screw, muffler, etc. works great!

RE: Building my first plane
 

That's basically what I had in mind. As you can see, that pic came from an assembly manual.

RE: Building my first plane
 

Thanks for the picture, i didnt have one handy.

Thats exactly how i do mine, i just use clear plastic, seems to work easier for me.

RE: Building my first plane
 

Yep, came from the Great Planes Ulimate 40!!!! :D

Ken

RE: Building my first plane
 

Dang 3 piece cowl , think I`m going fiberglass on mine. good luck

RE: Building my first plane
 

I purchased an aftermarket fiberglass cowl. I HATE the cheap plastic cowls that come with many kits. You spend so much time making them look good and they start cracking in the first 5 flights!!! [:@]

Ken

RE: Building my first plane
 

on the inside of the cowl to my fw-190, i mixed some epoxy thinned down to the consistency of paint. then i used some blue shop towels like sheets of fiberglass. painted the inside of the cowl, applied the towels, another coat of "paint" and smoothed out the bubbles. 5 years, no cracks yet.

RE: Building my first plane
 

Perfect!!!!!!! I'm a picture dude, it all makes sense. thanks to all for the help.

RE: Building my first plane
 

what will you be using to cut it (just curious), I use a dremel tool, which is what i think most people use.

Austin