First Thanks Dennis for the through firewall engine mount system.
After seeing Dennis new motor mounting system i decided to incorporate this system for my 2012 Nat's model.
The advantages to the through firewall mount for me was the elimination of the front cowl.
See photos attached.
The fuse sides are 1/32" molded balsa with .5 glass cloth interior and exterior.
Rear formers are 1/8"balsa. Motor mount is 1/8"ply wood, battery mount 1/8" lite ply, Nose ring is 3ply laser cut by the Moon brothers.
The weight savings at this stage is 2oz.from last years model.
Currently fuse is under 5oz should finish at 5.3oz with tail wheel mount.
Jose Modesto
Photos 1-2and 5 2011 nats model
photos 3 and 4 new fuse for 2012 model.

Dennis.Thanks for the complement on composit molding. Dennis that is the intent. I want to separate the motor hot exhaust with the cooling air for the ESC and Battery.
Current model exhaust motor hot air through 3 round ducts top and side of fuse with louvers diverting cool air to motor (see photo) NOTE: motor compartment on 2011 Nat's model is not sealed.
Prior to adding the louvers the put back Mah on a 4000 bat was 3000 after louvers it dropped to 2600 mAh. learned a lesson on proper motor cooling.
Photo #1 front end with louvers
photo #2 front end as flown at Nat's
Jose Modesto

Jeff T. is my turn to thank you for your volunteer work at the team trial. you got up to speed and ran a great pull test. Your composite profile fuse is great. Sleepy Dawson had a similar flexing and vibration with his profile cardinal. After many engine adjustments the model would not hold a setting.
during the fall of 2003 i designed the following model for him. Neal Beekman Built the the first 2 models.
The fuse is molded using glass cloth,CF mat,color taffeta,balsa and epoxy to create a half profile half full fuse. Engine problems solved.
 
 At the beginning i dint have a vaccum system and i developed a composite system using Mylar, glass cloth, color taffeta(the color taffeta was used to give the pieces color to reduce weight.)
The wing,flaps,stab, elevators,fin and rudder were 1lbs foam. The fuse was a balsa,cloth and epoxy matrix. NOTE: all pieces were made without a vaccum bag. subsequent models were vaccum bagged.
See photos
Photo #1 side view of model
photo#2 composite fuse with blue taffeta
photo#3 foam wing (no balsa used) Yellow taffeta for color Black line is unidirectional carbon fiber