Cowls on belly-landers take a beating. Most cowls like the one shown from an F4F Wildcat, are paper thin plastic and crack like an eggshell with even the slightest impact, especially when cold. Here is a tip from the “Build Box”, that you can use to add a tremendous amount of strength and impact resistance to the cowl, weather you are building a new plane or simply replacing the cowl on an old one. This fix can be done in less than 5 minutes. All you need is self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape and Shoe Goo. When finished, it adds only 6 to 7 grams weight up front, which is insignificant on most airplanes in this size range.

Start with a new cowl and mist the inside with a spray of denatured alcohol, being careful to avoid getting any on the outside paint.

Using a cotton ball, wipe the inside to remove any dirt or residue.

Cut self-adhesive fiberglass drywall repair tape into 5 in. to 6 in. lengths . Place the drywall tape around the inside of the

cowl overlapping the ends a little.

Make sure the tape is pressed down well and smoothed out all the way around with no wrinkles.

It is exceptionally strong and light weight. This will be applied over the fiberglass tape to make a permanent, flexible and water-proof bond to the cowl.

As with any chemical product, read the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. Shoe Goo recommends that the product does not come into direct contact with your skin or eyes. Wearing latex or vinyl gloves that do not react with the Shoe Goo is recommended. With the cowl laying on a solid, padded surface, use your gloved finger or an applicator to apply a thin layer of Shoe Goo around the inside of the cowl, completely covering the fiberglass tape, and using enough pressure to make sure it is pushed down well into the fiberglass between the strands. Work quickly, as the Shoe Goo will start to dry as soon as you put it on.

Inspect the inside of the cowl to make sure the fiberglass tape is fully coated with an even layer of Shoe Goo and set aside for a few hours or overnight to allow it to fully cure. Note: If you get any Shoe Goo in the screw holes, it is much easier to take a toothpick and clean it out while it is still wet.

Install the reinforced, impact-resistant cowl on the airplane and get ready to experience that occasional, not-so-perfect landing without worrying about the cowl damage that usually comes with it.