OK, all you folks with
55-Series Barons may be wondering what function those engine cowl nut
plates provide. Well, I've discovered a couple of things the Beech
factory had in mind when they installed those nut plates.
The first function is
reported by C-55 Baron owner, Dave K., to be cowl bracing to alleviate
some nose bug cowl cracking on some C-55 and possibly D-55 two-blade
prop installations. Dave reports: "I went through 2 nose bug cowlings
before I found out about the support braces."
The second function is
the mounting of a Winter Baffle Kit #55-13-1 that Beechcraft offered
back in the day (circa 1961), presumably for extreme cold WX ops and
that I found and purchased a number of years ago. The kit offers cowl
inlet air and oil cooler baffles to reduce the amount of air entry.
Based on comments from the folks at GAMI, regarding the potential inconsistency of CHTs by blocking cooling air entry, I have chosen not to install this kit.
For your entertainment and amusement, here are the pictures of the kit and the associated documentation.