aluminum cowling

[Sam Buchanan]

What kind of car and engine is that??????

[Bruce]

Mike in Waco TX has the 6.
Here is my friends 8.
Bagged and glue, a few rivets then cut in for paint.



Will post 1 more pic shortly.

Boomer

[Bruce]

All rivets with backing strips.



Boomer

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by BillL

Reposting Steve B. 's flicker photo from above.

Couple of thoughts
I hope that engine is going in a RV16
That?s 200+ hrs work on cowl
Like the tools on rack in back.
I like the car
Must have English wheel hidden somewhere

Boomer

[Gash]

Speaking of an English wheel, there's a guy named Lazze who does some great YouTube videos showing his metal shaping techniques. I could watch these videos for hours.

[Steve b]

The engine is a Mercruiser V8. 1650 hp. 2 of these in an offshore racing catamaran. It does fly, just very low!
I made the cowling for my 7. I think it would have worked, but I was not sure about the aerodynamics, cooling or strength. I ended up going to the stock cowl. Found one here on VAF. My reasoning came down to fact that it was my first airplane build and I had no tailwheel time. Too many unknows for my skill level.
It's made out of 5052 alloy, some 3003. All .040.

[blueflyer]

I would be curious how much the all aluminum cowling weighs as compared to a fiberglass cowling. Is it a worthwhile endeavor from a weigh standpoint?

[Steve b]

The al. cowl weighs 15lb. as is. I don't think an aluminum cowl would ever make sense from a weight standpoint. Or really any reason. It would look cool though!
In the early 80s I went to California and went to Dick Troutmans shop. He built the early chaparal race car bodies among other things. A very acomplished and well known metalshaper. I told him that I was interested in metalshaping and wanted to learn more. He look up from the fender he was making and said "why would you want to waste your time on something like that"
I still love metalshaping

[sblack]

Originally Posted by Steve b

The al. cowl weighs 15lb. as is. I don't think an aluminum cowl would ever make sense from a weight standpoint. Or really any reason. It would look cool though!
In the early 80s I went to California and went to Dick Troutmans shop. He built the early chaparal race car bodies among other things. A very acomplished and well known metalshaper. I told him that I was interested in metalshaping and wanted to learn more. He look up from the fender he was making and said "why would you want to waste your time on something like that"
I still love metalshaping

I think Dick Troutman worked at North American during WWII making panels for P51s. Kent White knew him and has talked about him. He was a legend. Let's face it, making your own airplane doesn't make much sense either, but it is a blast. So making all the parts out of aluminum just for the challenge is an entirely appropriate thing to do as an expression of your individuality, creativity etc. I hope that cowling goes on an airplane on day, and that it is polished.

[Steve b]

I totally agree. Might be a good winter project.