Quest X-15 Build, Part 7, Engine Mount Gluing

The surface of the Quest centering rings were pretty rough.
I gave them a coat of medium CA keeping it away from the edges where the glue fillet will go after it's set in the rear of the body tube.

Some 400 grit was wrapped around the end of another Q-tip and the hardened CA surface sanded smooth.

Instead of just applying a glue ring in the main air frame tube with your finger, a rounded dowel was marked at the end of the engine tube.
The instructions direct you to glue the mount in with 1/4" of the motor mount tube extended out the back.
I decided to glue the tube ends flush. Even with the mount only 1/4" forward it could move the center of gravity and improve stability.

I had thought the extended motor tube was to simulate the back end profile of the real X-15. All the online images show the back end to be flat.
The kit fins are glued 1/8" from the rear of the tube.


A ring of glue set in place with the marked dowel.
The mount was slid in place and almost to it's final position.
TIP: Before the mount end was even with the outside tube, the mount was turned. Turning the mount smooths out the glue ring at the upper centering ring making an even internal fillet.
I know - no one will ever see it.
You have to work quickly, you don't want the mount to lock-up in the wrong place.

Immediately press the mount even with the 35mm main air frame tube.
I use the flat side of my sanding block to press it into place.
Using a flat block I know the motor mount tube is even with the outside body tube.

Before gluing the rudders and wings in Step 8 -
Check out the late edit post - HERE