ORIGINAL: whackinski
Thanks again Wind, I will post some construction photos when I start the project. I have not picked up the aluminum tube yet, I was considering the technique for installing a brushless described on Hobby-Lobby's website. They reccomend using a 3/32" plywood disk mounted in the fuselage and screwing the motor to it. I will decide when I get to the local Hobby shop, depending on which he has in stock, the K&S tubing or the lite ply. If he has both I will grab both. I can imagine I will need several repairs on this plane as it will be my 3D trainer aircraft.
The Hobby Lobby ply disc is the "firewall type mount" I mentioned before. It makes use of the black aluminum "top hat" mount supplied with the motor that you should have. I believe it's heavier and not as sturdy as the tube mount, when you consider all the parts, but you be the judge. I think you'll find that any torsional or impact loads are better absorbed with the tube mount.
The ply plate contacts the foam in 4 lines that run radially outward from the fuse center. The tube contacts the foam in 4 longer lines that run down the length of the fuse. Ideally, the tube could be extended into the wing as the wing/fuse joint is a weak spot (you'll find a lot of creases popping up that end here as you fly and crash a little. I made my tube mount only 4 inches or so to save weight.
The ply mount is definitely quicker and easier to install, and an obvious choice for Hobby Lobby to recommend. The shockies fix so quickly with foam safe CA even really bad front end impacts are no big deal if you get all the pieces. It really helps to have a friend hold the plane together while you apply the glue though. There will come a day when my plane gets so "flexy" in the front that it's time for a new one.