Well first and foremost I'd like to give a HUGE thanks to Damifino, what he did with his Venture 60 really pushed me into building a cowl from scratch. This is my second plane, and also my second build. After doing some research on second planes, I decided on building a Venture 60. But soon found out that BTE has them on hold. So in the interim, (after seeing Damifino's venture build up) I decided on a Four Star 60. I loved the flowing lines he was able to come up with, with the venture kit. So I tried to "bash" the 4 * into a venture, and mod it with most of the same options Damifino did. Please check out his Venture here... http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_20...venture/tm.htm Well as for my Four Star, I plan on installing the rudder and elev. servos in the rear of the fuse (to help with all the added weight up front). It has an inverted Saito 100, and JR radio gear. I also went with a stock 12oz fuel tank. I was going to try and fab up a fuel hatch but didn't fell up for the fight to trying (like I said this is only my second build.. still a rookie). If anyone is interested I took pics of my entire cowl building process, and can e-mail them if any one would like. I'd also like to say thanks to everyone that post's info here... It has really helped, and I hope my post/pics can help someone else.

Mr70SS



P.S. If you look in the back ground you'll see pictures of Damifino's venture hanging on the wall.... Thanks again!!!!

Your cowl turned out very nice. I did the same thing with my 4 * 40 and it really gives the plane a totally different look.

Thanks for the kind words! Your project looks great. Keep everyone posted on your progress and remember: Don't be afraid to modify these things. It's only wood and glue!

Beautiful! There's something very satisfying about creating a tight, uniform gap between spinner and cowl, especially when the spinner seems to melt into the rest of the airplane on a custom job like yours.

Thanks Litebipe, You said it... It was a bit of work but I'd do it again in a heart beat! I'm working on the wing now.. should have both halfs done in a couple of days.. i'll post more pic's as I go.

Nice job, mr70ss. E-mail the first post of this thread to Sig, I'm sure they'd get a kick out it, hehe.

Nice job! Gave me some ideas!

It seems like the heads of the 4 Stroke stick out enough for cooling.

When building a cowl like this, is cooling something to be taken into consideration?

IM running a 2 stroke so mounting it inverted is not really an option (I heard they dont run well that way).

Gee thanks Swager, I gotta admit part of me buying a four star was from your post's of your build process... As for cooling on the 4 strokes.. I gotta be honest I really don't know.. I'm going to due some good ground test's when it gets closer to being able to fly... I too think it should be enough but just can't say for sure. As promised here are some more pics.. the wing is 90% done.. gotta sheet one more leading edge, then the sanding/filling/sanding/filling starts, uhhhggggg.. but it's worth it. I built the wing with 0 degree dihedral, should help on the inverted flight. Still toying with the idea of putting tips (like the venture) in the wings. (hmmm can you tell I really wanted a venture??? lol) Should be able to get some time this weekend ti finish the wing completely.. but who knows....

Mr70ss

Cooling is always an issue! a small inlet at the bottom of the cowl, under the spinner, that will allow air to flow over the cylinder would be a big help.

And 2 stroke engines will run at any attitude, as long as the tank is positioned corectly.

mr70ss, Looking good! Glad you got the file, I've had trouble sending it to some people. Due to mailboxes that couldn't receive files that large.

Thanks Mstroh3961, On the cooling issue, I curved up the bottom of the cowl (opening it to the head) Here is a head on pic.. I really don't know if i'll need more cooling or not. Also finished the sheeting on the wing.

I am about to begin a 4*60 as well, and I like the look of the carved balsa cowl. I will be using a Super Tigre G-75 Ringed 2-stroke in it, and I was planning to mount the engine sideways and use a Bisson Pitts muffler. They make a nice one specifically for the 6-75. I don't know of any inverted Pitts-style mufflers for this engine.

A possible problem is that the cylinder will project rather far outboard. I was thinking of putting cheeks on the cowl rather like the cowls on the Edge 540 or similar planes, with just the tip of the cylinder head projecting through a circular opening on the starboard cheek. There would be an air intake at the front of each cheek, and the aft end of each cheek would be open to provide flow-through. I would also leave generous openings for the exhaust stacks, which would also help cooling.

Has anyone done a carved cowl like this? I would like to know more about how big the air intakes and outlets need to be, for example. I know you need the exit area to be at least 2x the intake area (and preferably more) but just how big is enough? What about internal baffles to direct airflow across the cylinder?

Any pointers as to wood thickness, need for stiffening, grain direction etc would also be appreciated.

You should have adequate cooling with your setup! With the inverted saito you will have to pay close attention to positioning the fuel tank to the spray bar on the carb. Flooding can be a problem. IF it becomes a problem think about a Cline or Ironbay fuel regulator. I use them on all my inverted Saitos.....It stops all flooding of the carb.

Thanks for the heads up on the regulator's, I too thought a little about the flooding problem and lowered the fuel tank as low as I could. As it sits now the center line of the tank is about a 1/2" above the spray bar. I think it's going to be close, but time will tell.. I'm going to do some testing on the ground with fuel setup's before this baby leaves the ground.

Do a good job fuel proofing the inside of the cowl and firewall. I would wait until after the covering is applied. The thinned 30 min. epoxy will help hold the covering down around the cowl.

Well stayed up late and got the elev. & rud. framed up and sheeted... here are a couple of pics.. enlarged the rudder 1/2" Should be able to get started on rough sanding of the wing, rud. and elev. real soon.

You have plenty of cooling here. I'm doing the exact same thing on my current project. In fact, the two planes could be related.

Yes they could, VERY nice work. Can't wait to see your's done, please post or send me a pic when it is.

Mr70ss

Thanks. I'll post a thread in the scratch builder's forum when the plane is finished. It was supposed to be done by the end of the year, but I got bogged down with life and haven't been in my shop since before Christmas. I'm getting back to work on it today.

Well good news, got the wing almost done, just need to fiberglass the center joint and cover it. I was able to putty then rough sand (150, 220), then putty and final sand (400, 800). I don't remember if I already said this or not but, I built it with no dihedral. It's getting closer.. only problem is that the weather isn't.. lol oh well I'm gunna try and pickup the monokote tomorrow and maybe just maybe get started on covering over the weekend, (gotta keep up with swager) hehe..

Hey Mr70ss, lookin' great. I look forward to test flyin' it. See you tomorrow..

--Paul

Thanks, I can't wait to see it in the air.. I mounted the wing last night.. here are a couple more shots, Keep in mind the elev/rud are only there for the pics... going to start on the tail surface's tonight.

Mr70ss

Lookin' good! Any particular reason you sheeted the LE of the wings?

Thanks, it's all coming together. To answer your question I like the look, and I also think it might hold up better over time. I know it add's a little weight but with a light wing loading (for it's size) to start I figured I had a little room to play.

Mr70ss

Looks really nice.

I maidened my 4*60 ARF today with a Saito 100, 15x6 prop; what a great flying plane.

Tracks great, a blast to fly... I've got a BTE Venture on the way this month or next and am looking forward to that build.