LAsar Cowl and Paint

[Heloman]

I just completed the LAsar Cowl closure, I snapped some pics:

Here's the start, I don't mind the original look but I can't leave well enough alone, and with the promise of better cooling it was only a matter of time. It's no SM cowling but it works for today.

Just laying it out to find the best fit, notice how the radii are not symmetrical, a little surprised about that, this causes a little trouble getting the stripes to look right when they come around the front but no big deal really.

Fay sealed, riveted on and mostly trimmed, had to do the final trim with the upper cowling. I used the alternate AN470s rather then the countersunk rivets that came with the kit so everything would match. (Laziness may have been a factor)

Here the final trim is complete, sealed, and I sprayed the gold for the stripes

Laying out the stripes, I don't think this was the final version.

Green

De- masked

Done

I also painted the prop while I was at it and put on a new alternator belt, because I scheduled a prop balance for the power flow exhaust warranty. I thought I'd be trying it out by now but surprise...I had no electric fuel pump during the prop balance . It's off to Aeromotors for an overhaul. Got the prop down to .03 though.

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I did put new Hartzell stickers on too but I forgot the picture

[rbridges]

Looks great!

[Aviationinfo]

Great work!!!

I hope you'll post your impressions about this mod in terms of any cooling and speed improvements.  

And, sorry for the thread creep, but I really like that one piece non-J series windshield.   Was that installed as a mod, and if so, how labor-intensive was it?

You have a great looking airplane.

[Heloman]

  On 10/25/2016 at 2:14 PM, Aviationinfo said:

Great work!!!
I hope you'll post your impressions about this mod in terms of any cooling and speed improvements.  
And, sorry for the thread creep, but I really like that one piece non-J series windshield.   Was that installed as a mod, and if so, how labor-intensive was it?
You have a great looking airplane.

Thanks! I believe that's a standard 68 and up windshield.


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[cctsurf]

  On 10/25/2016 at 2:14 PM, Aviationinfo said:

And, sorry for the thread creep, but I really like that one piece non-J series windshield.   Was that installed as a mod, and if so, how labor-intensive was it?

Expand  

I have the one-piece non-J series windshield in my 1962, it was a mod, but did not even require an stc.  I did a little looking around and it seems that the 68 and up windshield is one-piece.  I believe Mooney still supplies it (though they say, call for availability), LP Aero has one, probably others.  I remember it being major surgery, but not nearly as much as the 201 windshield, (and I got to keep the avionics access) but it came out REALLY nice.  I highly recommend the .250 (1/4 inch) version which cut down cabin noise greatly.