I am enjoying all the advanced issues being discussed on this forum, but have a very simple question. I am building a Deluxe Telemaster 40 electric and have noted that the plywood firewall is full of holes, possibly to lighten the structure, and for the optional nose wheel. (I am building a tail dragger.) Lots of bugs and dirt may enter the airplanes interior through these holes. Are they needed for battery cooling, or some other reason, or can I cover them all with a piece of ultra-thin ply or something of the sort. All I anticipate needing in the way of holes is one to allow passage of the motor wires.

This plane is not a thing of beauty to begin with, and that is not its purpose, but the nose is really ugly. Does anyone make or can anyone suggest an upgrade to this area?

Thanks in advance.

Frog

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

You can very easily do a balsa built up cowl. Glue balsa blocks in place and then sand to shape. Only takes a couple of hours. These pictures show a step or two in the process. Final filling and sanding still needs to be done.

If you are making it electric, you will want some air flow to keep the battery and ESC cool.

Another option for cooling is to add air scoops and vents on the fuselage to help cool the ESC and battery pack.