Heewing Ranger T1 1/4 inch Screw Camera Mount

This mod places a ¼" screw mount precisely above the aircraft CG point and reinforces the top panel sufficiently to support the weight of an average GoPro or 360 camera. 

Here is a link to my test flight with this mount and an Insta360 X2. 

The weight of the camera (190g) was certainly noticeable but it was still very flyable. I had to maintain ~25% down elevator deflection for level flight. I don't know if I'd try a camera this heavy with the stock motors. My ranger has 1507 3900kv motors on it fyi. But the mounting screw performed great! 

Materials in addition to printed parts:

• 1x - ¼" Threaded Heat Insert - https://a.co/d/9Vk0Gbw
• 1x - 2mm Carbon Fiber Rod - https://a.co/d/3rWlZSP
• 2x - M3 5mm Threaded Heat Inserts - https://a.co/d/aTqu5HH
• 2x - M3 15mm Screws - https://a.co/d/hdVl4cZ
• E6000 Glue and regular hot glue

Assembly Order and Tips:

1. Heat Inserts - If you haven't done heat inserts before google it. The ¼" insert is big I used two soldering irons at the same time to get it sunk in the mount_top. The m3_glue_blocks are pretty standard for heat inserts. ! TIP ! Feed the fiber rod through the mount_top (without gluing) before sinking the ¼" threaded insert. 
    
2. Carbon Reinforcement - See Figure #1 for the carbon rod pattern. To insert the rods I found that slowly drilling with a drillbit slightly smaller than the rod was cleaner than melting the foam. Then coat the rod with E6000 before insertion.
   1. Top Panel Braces A, B, C - The A&B braces are ~40mm and inserted in the middle of the foam. The C brace is ~45mm and glued on the bottom surface of the top panel with E6000.
   2. Fuselage Brace E-  The E brace is ~50mm and is added to the top of the fuselage where the panel mates for additional strength. carefully melt an opening into the foam no more than 5mm deep. 
       
3. Mount Insertion - This mount replaces the existing hanger-fin-clip-thingie and is meant to sit into the recess in the foam that exists for it. Sand the mating edges and make sure they fit before any gluing.
   1. You will have to trace the rounded square part and cut just inside the profile to make the whole thing fit snugly. I glued the mount_top in first with E6000 and light clamping on the front and back to snug it up to the slight curve of the top panel.  
   2. Apply E6000 to the bottom and inside profiles of the mount_bottom and press on making sure the holes for the carbon rod line up with the mount_top.
       
4. Final Brace Insertion - The D brace is used to add strength to the top panel and prevent twisting when screwing a camera into the mount. Insert Brace D last.
   1. Brace D is embedded in the middle of the foam support of the top panel exiting the support on the underside and running up through the holes in the mount_top and mount_bottom. In Figure #1 the part of brace D that is embedded in the foam is outlined with the red box. the rest is exposed and threaded through the mount. Finally, use a few coats of E6000 to secure it to the C brace and the top panel foam. 
       
5. Retaining Screws and Glue Blocks - I have magnets in my top panel already, which works fine for panel retention normally, but when adding the weight of a camera near 200g you want a more secure retainer for the top panel. 
   1. Drill holes from the outside of the top panel aligned to brace C penetrating the fuselage slightly to mark hole locations. I did it right on the bend of the top panel. Figure #2 shows the glue_blocks mounted flush with the inside of the fuselage. 
   2. Align with the screw hole and cut space for the glue block. (Figure #2)
   3. Glue spacers in the top panel and m3_glue_blocks into the fuselage. 

I really hope these assembly instructions are helpful. Please feel free to leave a comment and post your makes.