MD11eng,
You've obviously wrestled with a few JT-9 cowls,, a little slice of heaven 'eh mate?
I merely ment to point out that on the JT-3 powered 7 oh's, the lack of curvature in the upper mounting surface as compaired to the JT-9, or even the un-reverse cowled J-57,, it was actually possible to close the cowl latches with one or more of the upper blade hinges out of alignment (I've seen it done.).. Possible,, but not without a rediculously mis-aligned upper cowl to pylon joint. Which no-one associated with aviation could fail to take notice of.
This wasn't "loose" or "mis-aligned" cowling halves impishly waiting untill first segment climb to detatch themselves and wreak havoc on the rest of the aircraft. Something blew the cowling off,, that is IF the falling object actually is cowling.
Either that, or I'm wrong.
--Heracles