Soda Bottle Cowls for Scale

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Dane McGee
Posts: 885
Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2003 1:57 pm
Location: Greenville, Texas

Soda Bottle Cowls for Scale

Post by Dane McGee »

Next on the agenda in making half cowls for my ME-410.

The foam on the bottom front of the nacelle provides the bottom half of the cowl so all I need to do is make one that covers the top half of the nacelle.

I used the pattern that I had for cutting the nacelle to draw a template on a block of balsa.
I penciled in the front diameter of the plug by tracing the spinner I am using which in this case is 2.24"

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A bandsaw and belt sander make short work of the balsa shaping and now we are ready to pull the cowl.

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I use a soda bottle and place over the plug and heat with a heat gun until it pulls down snug.

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Slice off of the plug and trim to fit. Cut holes for the engine head, muffler and needle valve and she is ready for paint or covering.

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Finished cowl painted and installed

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The cowls are painted on the inside and then taped on the airframe with clear tape. Light and easy to remove.
Dane "Mad Max" McGee
Greenville, Texas
RCCA Vice President 684
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