[rebel-builders] Rebel cowling
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:31 pm
Hi Del !
Never had a problem with water getting into the 4 door
cowling. The one trick at the front, is to run & rivet, a strip of .025
aluminum, about 2" wide, all the way around the rear, half inside of
the fiberglass nosebowl. This will stiffen the nosebowl, preventing
cracks, AND provide a lip for the top doors to sit on, making them
flush with the fiberglass. A bit of anti-chafe tape, and you've
got a pretty good seal. There are several nosebowls to choose
from at Aircraft Spruce - I used the Thorp T-18 one ... The
standard factory nosebowl is a Piper style ...
No leaks on the side piano hinges either - and they are MUCH
easier to use than the speed cowl ones, because they are straight !
They really work well, and are very durable. With a bit of planning,
you can leave an extra loop of hinge at the front on the bottom (fixed)
front, so you can push the wire in & leave it while you lower &
fit the cowl door, them just push the wire in the rest of the way ...
Good idea to install a post bolt at the front to lock the wire down -
just a bolt with a penny washer on top, and a bit of metal tube
over it, so it sticks up about 1/4" above the side of the cowl.
Bend the wire back is a large reverse "S", so it will snap under the
penny washer & stay in place. No tools needed to open ! :-)
On the top hinges - if you put the round part inside, you
get a nice clean cowl BUT - you can't open the doors much beyond
vertical ... a pain, especially in wind. If you put the round part
of the hinge UP, it doesn't look quite as nice, but you can flip the
door all the way open, so it rests on the top of the other side.....
Those piano hinges can be locked under bolts at the front, as they
don't come out often. You could glue thin rubber on the inside of
the hinges, if you really wanted a seal....
I think .025 will work best - I had .020 on one Rebel, and it
was a bit too easy to dent, and flapped around a bit more than
I liked in flight....
--
......bobp
bobp@prosumers.ca
http://www.prosumers.ca
http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
http://apatterson2.qhealthzone.com
http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
-------------------------------orig.-------------------------
On Tuesday 11 March 2008 19:25, Schmucker, Del wrote:
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Never had a problem with water getting into the 4 door
cowling. The one trick at the front, is to run & rivet, a strip of .025
aluminum, about 2" wide, all the way around the rear, half inside of
the fiberglass nosebowl. This will stiffen the nosebowl, preventing
cracks, AND provide a lip for the top doors to sit on, making them
flush with the fiberglass. A bit of anti-chafe tape, and you've
got a pretty good seal. There are several nosebowls to choose
from at Aircraft Spruce - I used the Thorp T-18 one ... The
standard factory nosebowl is a Piper style ...
No leaks on the side piano hinges either - and they are MUCH
easier to use than the speed cowl ones, because they are straight !
They really work well, and are very durable. With a bit of planning,
you can leave an extra loop of hinge at the front on the bottom (fixed)
front, so you can push the wire in & leave it while you lower &
fit the cowl door, them just push the wire in the rest of the way ...
Good idea to install a post bolt at the front to lock the wire down -
just a bolt with a penny washer on top, and a bit of metal tube
over it, so it sticks up about 1/4" above the side of the cowl.
Bend the wire back is a large reverse "S", so it will snap under the
penny washer & stay in place. No tools needed to open ! :-)
On the top hinges - if you put the round part inside, you
get a nice clean cowl BUT - you can't open the doors much beyond
vertical ... a pain, especially in wind. If you put the round part
of the hinge UP, it doesn't look quite as nice, but you can flip the
door all the way open, so it rests on the top of the other side.....
Those piano hinges can be locked under bolts at the front, as they
don't come out often. You could glue thin rubber on the inside of
the hinges, if you really wanted a seal....
I think .025 will work best - I had .020 on one Rebel, and it
was a bit too easy to dent, and flapped around a bit more than
I liked in flight....
--
......bobp
bobp@prosumers.ca
http://www.prosumers.ca
http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
http://apatterson2.qhealthzone.com
http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
-------------------------------orig.-------------------------
On Tuesday 11 March 2008 19:25, Schmucker, Del wrote:
Gentlemen:
Thank you for your replies they will be considered.
I should have asked a few other questions that I had as well namely:
People that are using the 4 door cowling. Is it waterproof when
sitting? Or does rain get through the top piano hinges?
How many people have used just piano hinges instead of latch's? how do
you find putting in the piano hinges? On my speed cowling I find it a
bit onerous pushing in the wire and have to replace them periodically
because the wire gets bent.
Thank you,
Del Schmucker
Information Systems Manager
Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
807-223-1254
807-221-8769 Cell
807-223-4703 Fax
del.schmucker@kpdsb.on.ca
www.kpdsb.on.ca
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