Craig, with all due respect for your optimism, if you're seriously interested in learning the pattern then budget time and money for crashing some planes.  Put the Fox in this plane, secure in the knowledge that by the time you know the pattern it'll be dust, and you'll have virgin mounts in the new one to mount a motor.

The motor mounts in the Noblarf aren't terribly good, so you might want to think in terms of just whacking them off flush with the firewall, maybe backing up the firewall with a layer of ply if indicated (I've never flown anything but hand-me-down Noblarfs  the only Noblarfs I've flown have been hand-me-downs), and using an RC mount.  This'll give you more flexibility for changing motors.  This is also a pretty good repair option after the first time you crash the thing, because the motor mounts seem to be the first thing that comes off.

At worst (assuming the plane survives that long) you can always fill in the Fox-ish mounting holes and drill new ones whereever needed.  Just glue dowels in the existing holes and drill new ones, respecting the fact that if you're trying to drill halfway over then the drill is going to want to wander.

Thanks guys for the input. All good stuff.
I haven't explained myself properly. You are quite right about training aircraft. I have a number of profiles just about ready to go to learn with and learn how to repair no doubt. The Nobler arrives today and I probably won't get to it until Christmas.
Excellent tip about the engine mounts. I have read how the control linkages can be an issue and I am in the process of ordering an upgrade from Tom Morris.
Thank you for the advice.
Craig

To answer your original question, the Double Star .40 has the same bolt pattern as the Fox .35.

Yes, the Double Star 40 has the same mounting bolt pattern.  But, be aware that the front face of the thrust (drive) washer will not be in the same location as the one on the Fox.  The Double Star is a bit longer in this regard.