The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I have a 1949 C170A and recently had the left top engine cowl open on flight right after takeoff. Quickly landed with plenty of runway to spare. It cracked the cowling and now need to replace ASAP. Please let me know where I could possibly find one or have one made without braking the bank. The latches are the original ones from 60+ yrs ago. May be time to replace those as well. Any help would much appreciated. Thanks guys.

Is this what you're looking for? (and then some)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Cessna-170 ... 40&vxp=mtr

FYI, there have been quite a few conversations on this forum about adding a secondary keeper to the original latches to prevent them from popping open. Mine have a camloc on them, others use a cotter pin or sorts but there are lots of details for you to choose from.
Glad you landed safe, you're not the first person for this to happen to.

That one looks a little wrinkled. Your probably better off repairing what you have to airworthy condition then look for a better one or someone who can fabricate on for you. It's pretty much a flat sheet of aluminum run through a roller to put a slight curve in it them the from is folded down and the hinge and latches installed.

The main piece of an "A" model top cowling has no compound curves so it is relatively easy to replicate from flat stock. The latches sell for about $250.00 each so plan on using the old ones and installing one of the many types of positive locks. That's one of the advantages of the early cowlings through the '52 model.