Topflite P-47 Gold kit dummy engine...
 

I am pretty far along with a P-47 gold kit... .(super nice kit and product quaility) and I am to the point that I am considering the Dummy radial engine for the cowl..,., Has anyone use this with their kits and did you see a difference in cooling... I am installing a Thunder Tiger 91 inverted in the cowl for this plane. post pictures if you have 'em of the cowling area..Thanks!
Picture of my scratch built Stearman attached I hope....

RE: Topflite P-47 Gold kit dummy engine...
 

Hi Terry.
The dummy engine is a great addition to your model and it dose also help with baffle cooling put the radial together and paint it after you have done that make a plywood back for it this is important as the dummy engine on its own will crack if not glued to a piece of 3/32 ply.
their should be a template on the plans for this, once you have mounted it to your plywood just cut out one cylinder the one in front of the fins on your engine, on the bottom of your cowl cut out a u shape at the back to allow the air to flow out this should be about 3 " wide by 3" long. Hope this helps Happy flying.
Limey.

RE: Topflite P-47 Gold kit dummy engine...
 

Terry,

Adding the dummy radial to your Jug will really bring it to life and it does provide a perfect way to baffle the incoming air. If you need, or can afford, the weight up front I would recommend that you consider one of Frank Tiano's cast resin dummy radials. They are nicely made and the detail is much more crisp than with the vac formed offerings. I attach mine to a piece of 3mm light plywood and then mount the whole assembly to the firewall using stand-offs. This is a great way of getting nose weight as far forward as possible which is usually necessary on a warbird.

Here is a pic of the resin dummy as it comes from Tiano:

http://www.franktiano.com/scaleprodu...gine_small.jpg

Here is one in my Midwest Texan:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...YRADIAL_JB.jpg

Here you can see the stand-offs that the radial is mounted to. Simply 1/4" aluminum tube flattened on one end so they can be screwed to blocks on the firewall and filled with a dowel on the other end to accept the mounting screw for the dummy.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...INEINSTALL.jpg

RE: Topflite P-47 Gold kit dummy engine...
 

Thanks to both of you for your replys and input.. Better to get info from experience than trial and error...SO, Neither of you cut out the area between each jug... Just around the actual clyd and head.. this forces the air to flow past the head better than an open cowl?

Thanks again,, this will help to get it right the first time...

RE: Topflite P-47 Gold kit dummy engine...
 

Terry, yes just cut out where the head of your engine is and glue some baffling either side of the head/fins nice and close and this forces the air past it.

Cheers,

Brad