Abstract: An apparatus for molding a composite structure which includes an insert that is pervious to a flowable resin, and a mold having a cavity defining contiguous upper and lower portions. The upper portion is adapted to receive a fibrous pre-form, and the lower portion is adapted to receive the insert. The insert defines a volume to accommodate a pool of the flowable resin. Also, the insert preferably includes a plurality of fluid transferable elements. The fluid transferable elements preferably include a generally planar plate and an expanded metal pre-form, wherein the plate and the expanded metal pre-form are configured to facilitate resin flow in a direction generally orthogonal to a bottom surface of the mold to distribute the resin uniformly across the mold cavity.