Estes Mars Longship Build #7296, Part 5, Engine Mount

I did make a slight arc bend in the engine hook.

Over the years I've learned to mark the engine mount tube three or four times around the tube. A single line of marks can be covered up by the engine hook.

TIP: The engine block was loose in the engine tube. A dried glue bead around the outside edge increased the outside diameter.


This was a pre-production kit. The centering rings weren't notched for engine hook movement.
I used an X-Acto #11 blade to make the notch cuts.

The engine block was slid into place (without glue) until it butted up against the upper bend of the engine hook.
With the block spaced evenly from the top, a line of glue is added to the top joint.

Here's the finished engine mount with the three centering rings and black hook retainer in place.