I've just completed the layups on my new cowl (enclosing a Mistral
    G-190).  Here is a question for all you expert cowl builders.   I want
    to use the hinge method of attaching the upper and lower cowl
    sections.  However, there is no convenient entry hole for  extracting
    the hinge pin when I want to remove the cowl.  You can just see  the
    split line in the photo below.  Is there a non-ugly way to put an
    access hole at the front of the cowl to access the hinge pin?   Or am
    I stuck with using cam-loc fasteners?


    Best Regards,

    Steve Thomas


    I would put a small bump on the cowl just behind the spinner.
    The bump encloses the end of the rod. When you pull the rod out
    forward it should just clear the spinner.
    Bend the rod over 90 degrees with about a 1/2" leg. Rotate
    the rod 90 degrees to lock it behind the spinner and
    in front of the bump.

    Hey save the mold. There are people that will buy the mold
    and sell cowling's.

    Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.


-- 
David Leonard

Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
My websites at:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rotaryroster/index.html
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<http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vp4skydoc/index.html>
http://leonardiniraq.blogspot.com

A lot of the RV guys have been successful at installing the pins from
the rear and hiding the hole in the NACA scoop for cockpit  ventilation.

Also, one little hole up front with a pin in it (and usually some  way to
secure the pin) is still a lot less visible than a whole row of cam- locks.

Dave Leonard (with 'ugly' pin sticking out of the front)

I was thinking of adding a NACA scoop at the front end, but decided
that that was not the best place for a scoop.  Paul, I'm not sure
what you mean in reference to the "bump".  Do you mean on the inside
of the cowl?  You still have a small hole behind the spinner for the
hinge pin to exit.  But,  I think that David is right, better a small
hole than a row of cam-locks.

As for the mold, unfortunately, it was just a male plug that came
apart when I pulled the top of the cowl off.  Despite four coats of
mold release, the resin stuck on harder than the foam held together.
It wasn't too hard to get the foam off the fiberglass after I had it
apart, but it destroyed the plug.

Best Regards,

Steve Thomas


Out side of the cowl. Too bad on the plug.
Nice looking cowl.