Phil,

When the "exotic Aisian hardwood" mounts in my Oriental ARF broke just in front of the firewall, I smoothed up the broken stubbs flush with the fire wall. 

Then drilled into the stubbs with (I think) a 5/32's bit to a depth of about 5/8's inch.  I epoxied a 1 inch long piece of no. 6 or no.8 machine screw into the hole.  After the epoxy cured, I added 3/8 x 3/8 maple pieces which I had drilled about 1/2 inch to match the screw protruding from the stubbs.  I used a small triangle to insure alignment as the epoxy cured.  Small triangles of 1/32 ply epoxied flat against the outside of the new beams and butted against the firewall finshed the job.

No problems after 30 or 40 flights.

One of my buddies repaired his Nobler the easy way by using a nylon R/C type engine mount. 
(Too simple for me .)

Jim 

Phil and Bill,

The RC mount is probably the most sensible solution.  In the case of the Oriental, I wanted the lightest solution, even if it required lots more work.

So far, the repair has proven to be a good decision with the B40 engine.  Might not work with a "thumper".

I have an ARF Nobler to play around with--haven't decided between Fox 35 ABC and B40.  Either way, I won't use the glass cowl but will build a balsa nose with built up cowl of some design and plan to cover with blue Jap tissue.

I have been using the ARF airframes to teach myself to use colored silkspan and tissue.  There were some pix of the Oriental on the site before the last site crash--may not be here now.

Jim 

Phil
 First I would find out what the funny snap noise was.
Willis 

Phil
 First I would find out what the funny snap noise was.
Willis 

ME, TOO!!!!!!!! 

Hi All, Today was my last day in Virginia so I got to go flying with Willis, John Tate, and Steve Fitton! The wind was really up so we all went off to see a fantastic WWII Air Museum where in was stored a Hurricane, a P-51D, a P=39, a Moska, a Devistator, and an SBD not to mention an authentic Nazi Buzz Bomb! There was much more but I forget fast at this advanced age! Any way Willis too has an AFR Nobler in need of a nose job and as the two of us chatted we determined that two sheets of 5 ply birch aircraft plywood should be adequate to reinforce the front end to accept an RC type motor mount. The sandwich will be fore and aft of the original firewall with 6/32 bolts and blind nuts to attach the RC unit. I also plan to brace up the front end just a bit but expect to use the original cowell or a replacement for the same with the same. I never had any trouble with it over 3 full seasons of use. Once I get into this I'll try to post a picture or two of it!

After returning to the field Steve and I did fly a bit. The wind was still brisk but both his P-40 AND my old FW 190, both sporting LA .46's, negotiated the winds well. Wellis left me use his 11 X 7 3 blade MAS prop which helped quite a bit. Ten years ago he gave me this plane...today he gave me the prop! What great friends I am so lucky to enjoy!

Phil Spillman 

Ty,

You trying to start somethin'??

You will be at Clanton this weekend, right?  Hitch a ride with Ronnie.

Jim