Joining the forward edge of RV-10 Sam James Cowl

[flybill7]

I'm helping with a RV-10 project which has a Sam James Cowl. On my RV-7 the top and bottom cowls are connected on the forward edge by three screw/nutplates on each side. I'm thinking the RV-10 Sam James cowl needs something similar. Maybe two straps on each side, riveted to the bottom cowl and holding a nut-plate on the top cowl. What have other RV-10 Sam James cowl builders done?

 

[rockwoodrv9]

I dont have a nut plate or fastener in that location. I have a 9, so maybe it isnt as wide as the 10 but I have not noticed any issue with it bulging in flight or movement of any type. I did put a little glass positioning flange on the inside of the lower cowl to make sure they stayed even. The structure of the propeller ring gives the top of the cowl quite a bit of strength. I have other pics if you want. Send me a DM and I will email them to you.

 

[flybill7]

Thanks for the info. Your cowl looks great! I can only hope ours will turn out that well.

 

[Carl Froehlich]

I glass in (on the inside) to form a flange. Three nutplates added on each side as the fasteners.

Carl

 

[Tooch]

I glass in (on the inside) to form a flange. Three nutplates added on each side as the fasteners.

Carl

That's how mine was done by the builder but he only used one nutplate and it cracked. Make sure you go with Carl's suggestion on the three but at least two.