Estes Mercury Redstone #1921 A Build Part 16, Tower / Capsule Assembly Part E

The antenna cap was glued into the tower.
I'll repeat that - Glue the antenna cap into the inside recessed holes in the tower legs, not onto the top of the capsule . Let dry before proceeding.

Run some glue around the antenna cap and press into place on top of the capsule while lining up the inverted tower Vs with the dimples in the antenna housing bottom piece.

Here's what too many builders have problems with when assembled using the new Estes instructions.
The inverted tower Vs won't fit into the capsule dimples by themselves. The V ends have to be pressed into the recessed holes.

The inverted Vs are bent in slightly, just as they were on the real Mercury Redstone tower.

When pressed in, the ends of the Vs will almost pop into place. Be ready, when you press them in, the tower V on the other side could pop out.
Take a deep breath and try again.

After the V ends of one side are in place, brush on some liquid cement from the outside. Don't just dip and brush - dip, wipe off the excess then apply to the joint.
Again note: I am using liquid plastic glue solvent. It's in a bottle with a brush. I wouldn't recommend assembling the tower and capsule with tube cement.




With a light even pressure, push down and hold until the glue joints dry.

Whew!

I've seen pictures of a finished MR where the builder cut off the horizontal Vs on the antenna cap. I wouldn't recommend doing this, they double the strength of tower attachment.