Cowl Flaps and Engine Mounts
The engine cowl flaps are like gills in the fish; when open, they allow hot air to escape from the engine compartment by forward rammed air into the engine area coming in from the forward momentum, pushing the cool air through and around the cylinder and exhaust area.
They open independently, one engine at a time. Before engine start-up, they are set to open. The flaps are valve operated from the cockpit at the console, the hydraulic accumulator is connected through the switch to the piston, the switch position actuates an oil-filled hydraulic push-pull piston. As the piston opens, it pushes the mechanical armatures to open the flaps, this armature and piston are co-located behind the engine circling with the cowl shock-mount support ring. To close the flaps, the piston pulls the linkage in the opposite direction.
There are 16 Cowl Flaps and two center mounted large flaps, top and bottom. The top and bottom mounted are non-moving. All flaps are mounted to the shock mount support ring. This ring is highlighted in red in the diagram below.
Engine Mount
Cowl Flaps
Push-pull rods
Piston
Cowl Flap
Mounting Ring
Engine Mount
Engine Mounting Ring with damping shocks. The mounting brace was torch-cut by during material recovery . There were bracings found, but were badly damaged. It is hoped that someday, I will be able to display the mount in a total engine and turbo system exhibit. New bracings will be added to the original ring to give the appearance of the complete mount as pictured.