Apogee Mini Condor Boost Glider Build, Part 3, Pylon Fit

The 1/16" overhang of the white plastic pylon overhang was sanded even with the front angle of the hook plates. That left a flat front and high drag.

The hook plates and fuselage front were rounded. The front of the pylon was also re-rounded.

The resin pylon is almost 3/16" thick. The instructions don't mention doing this, but I sanded a curve into the bottom to better fit and better adhesion to the small diameter BT-5 tube.

The pylon is glued on with medium CA glue. CA glue can get brittle over time and I wanted the best bond I could get.

The bottom of the pylon got a swipe of a Sharpie. 220 grit was wrapped around a 13mm T engine and the bottom curve sanded. The ink lets you see what is removed and visually helps you keep the line straight.

The pylon is glued on 3/8" from the rear of the body tube.

A bead of medium CA was applied to the round recess. Set the back of the pylon at the 3/8" mark and rock it forward to seat it on the tube.

Apogee Mini Condor Boost Glider Build, Part 2, Fuselage Front Hook

This is a dry fit showing how the hook pieces are glued to the side of the fuselage boom front. The plastic pylon piece was slipped onto the fuselage to check the position before gluing.

With the hook plates even with the front of the fuselage, the pylon piece overhangs the front by less than 1/16".

The hook pieces were glued onto the sides of the fuselage using the pylon piece to help with alignment. Two clothes pins were used as a clamp as the glue dried. Son't let any glue get into the pylon joint.

On the right the pylon was slid back after the hook pieces were in the right place.

After the glue dried it only took some light sanding to even up all three layers. Don't sand too much off - just even it up.