Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hey guys, I built a rear canopy vent that helps but did not cure the heat issue in the interior cabin. I am now looking to possibly do naca vents off the bottom of the cowling. My cowling is all aluminum and limited to the width of the naca vents. Also the side of the cowling below the engine is right where the exhaust pipes are running. Not sure how much room I have for the vents and I am also concerned about the heat from the exhaust damaging any kind of less than heat resistant material. Where is everyone getting these naca vents from and what size are you using? What I am finding is the quality is crap and won't hold up to the exhaust heat. Amazon and ebay have just plastic and 3" tube OD. so they are a bit big anyway let alone not holding up to the heat. If you guys have any suggestions I would appreciate it.
Mark

Put vents in the wings at the break.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I have the fiberglass cowl and put my NACA inlet on the bottom of the lower cowl . I used one of the OLD News Letters as a guide to install it . It moves a lot of air ! I believe I got the NACA vent from Spruce and used high temp SCAT tubing .

RB
NX115RX
2011

Bob,
I am unsure of a couple of things on the wing vents. 1- without removing the wing, how would I route and attach scat tubing or pvc from the cabin to the wing tip and attach it to the 90 deg bend going to the leading edge? 2- is there a way to route the scat tubing once inside the cabin, thatis hidden or at least doesn’t restrict the already tight leg room on the side?
Mark

Removing the wing is easier than you may think so no big worries there. I'd use pvc through the wing with a 90 then forward to the gap cover. On my plane I have an eye ball vent located in front of the spar .. the pvc in the wing just points to the eyeball vent ... no scat ... could just as easily route a scat tube from that same location to wherever you want but I find that any airflow in the cabin works.

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

My project came with these PVC inserts. There is not much info on them, but I believe they are meant to mount in the leading edge of the wing near the fuselage.

I am debating cutting a hole in the leading edge and may look at a small NACA in the bottom of the S-18 wing cover rib. I have seen NACA's on RV's in the bottom wing skin for rear passenger cooling air (i.e. RV-8). I am told the Rocket guys do something similar. Anyone have any experience with bottom wing nose section vent holes?

Any T-18 newsletter that discuss cutting a hole in the inner leading edge? I assume these pieces were made or purchased based on someone incorporating them on a T-18.

Rob

Using these vents, when installed near the break in the wing, will blow the map out of your hand. Have enjoyed mine for a almost thirty years.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Can you share some pics Bob of the cutout in the leading edge?

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Have you looked at Koger sunshades? I put one from an RV of some type on my Thorp. It works great!
Cubes

Spruce PN 13-9609.
Cubes