Estes Hi-Flier XL, #3226 Build, Part 3, Engine Mount Gussets

Here's the finished mount with the upper ring down and over the top bend of the engine hook.

As it is it's plenty strong for C11, D12 and E9 engines.
I like my mounts a bit more robust.
Gussets will be added.

I used some strips left over from the balsa fin sheets.
The leftover edge scraps are long and tapered.



The strips were cut to the length between the two rings. The gusset had to be notched to fit over the black retaining ring.

After three strips were glued and got fillets, the sides were sanded even with the outside diameter of the rings.

With the gussets in place, a dry fit feels much stronger than just the centering rings alone.