Early 337 rear engine screens

[billsheila]

The screening on my rear engine cowls on my 1965 337 is starting to fail. According to the logs this happened once before and was repaired but original parts are now NLA. My understanding is that later models were built and sold sans screens -- is this correct? If so does anyone know what year the screens came off? Any idea what they were there for in the first place? I spoke to CPA and tech services there kindly sent me a document outlining how someone had previously taken them off, which may be my only option, but I thought I would just do a bit more research here before deciding what to do.

Thanks in advance for any insights.