Covering a balsa cowl
 

OK, so you've spent many an hour giving your new 4* etc a nice nose job by carving and sanding a nice round balsa cowl

Example instructions

Now, how do you cover this cowl in Monokote or Ultracote without spoiling all that work?

Covering a balsa cowl
 

I covered mine W 4pcs of monocote rite with the fusalage
Itsnot to bad for the first covering job for me. next time I will
make a fiberglass cowl that comes off if it takes all winter.

Covering a balsa cowl
 

I read the site your link led the way to........it looks really nice , my only question is does the engine get hot? I can't see any way for the air to escape.

Covering a balsa cowl
 

I've not tried it, so I can't comment from experience. I'm just thinking about making something similar if/when I decide on a 4* or Venture 60.

Bear in mind that the cowl slopes inward from the original fusalage so that on a side mounted engine there will be a fair amount of the cylinder still in the airflow. Probably more than with a fully enclosed fiberglass cowl... Also, the muffler is out in the open too...

Covering a balsa cowl
 

Personally, I'd glass the outside of the balsa cowl and buy paint that matches your covering of choice. They make matching paint for Monokote and Ultracote.
Dennis-

Covering a balsa cowl
 

Although I'm no expert with Monokote, I had no problem covering the balsa cowl on my Venture 60 with one piece of Monokote. Here's a picture...

Covering a balsa cowl
 

So, here's the picture I tried to post last time. (I hope I do it right this time!)

Covering a balsa cowl
 

Redford, Beautiful job. Any problems with engine overheating?

Covering a balsa cowl
 

Nope. Enough of it hangs out the right side that overheating is now problem.

Here's a picture of that side, which is less pretty, but functional.

Covering a balsa cowl
 

That was, of course, heating is NO problem, not NOW a problem.

Covering a balsa cowl
 

FYI everyone, bigger, better pictures are here

Dave, how did you manage to get around those compound curves with just one piece of monokote?

Covering a balsa cowl
 

Thanks, sure looks pretty......I guess I gotta give it a try.

Covering a balsa cowl
 

There are actually only three sides to it (since the right side is mostly open). Start with the Monokote on the middle side and pull it around!