Nike Hercules Two-Stage by rharshberger

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Is there definitive data on the longitudinal weld line orientation on the Hercules Nike motors? I've not seen that on any data, and the photographs I have are inconclusive or perhaps contradictory. Does it vary with the round/model? I guess I'm also wondering what physically distinguishes the MIM-14, 14A, and 14B? I seldom know which one I'm looking at in photos.

AFAIK there are few differences between the two variants A/B other than nuclear (two nuclear variants) vs conventional warhead. The ISC section on some photos looks different on a few missles, they have the trapezoidal cut-outs as normal but some have openings on the corners of the interstage. As for the weld line I am not sure what you are asking about, is it the flare at the top of the M5E1 motor? If so there is a drawing some where of just the M5E1 motor (I have it but finding it is a whole different matter).
 
Attached is the M5 data you're probably thinking about. It shows a weld line running the length of the motor tube between the welds at the top and bottom flanges. The apparent lack of that weld line in a lot of photos makes me wonder if there was a version that used a smooth tube. And for that matter, while those drawings mention several variations (some noted 'M5 only') I'm wondering what the physical differences might be between the M5, and M5E1 (or any other variations that I haven't heard of)[note below M88]. The meatball site mentions that the nozzle is a cone (unlike these drawings), but I wonder if that only refers to the exit cone? [The CAD rendering there makes it pretty clear.]

nike_m52.gifView attachment 336688

Somewhere I think I've read (perhaps meatball) that the IS with the corner slots is a training round.

Anyway, there is a slim chance I might get to make a road trip next month, and I might be able to plan White Sands on the way back to see the NH there. And the San Francisco SF-88 site isn't so far away, so I might be able to swing a trip there this summer.

Ok, interesting just googled and found a doc with some info https://everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-R/download.php?spec=MIL-R-46468A.049412.pdf
Says this under 'Definitions'
Type I (M5) to be used for Nike-Ajax only... cannot be used for NH
Type II (M5E1) either NA or NH (meatball site says main difference between M5 and M5E1 is extra holes in the flanges)
Type III (M88) NH only ... cannot be used for NA

I guess a lot of my questions are answered by re-reading https://meatballrocketry.com/nike-motor-data/ where there is a neat TurboCAD rendering of an M5E1 (that shows some holes and nozzle detail not shown elsewhere [like to get the CAD data].

Hey, just ran across three plates of NH drawings in Russian at this site: https://modelist-konstruktor.com/bronekollekcziya/gerkules-groza-raket These may be the drawings that were on the Dorffler disk. I'm comparing drawings to see of there is any new or different measurements there. I notice that the Silverleaf drawings do specify a MIM-14B, and so do the Russian drawings.
 
iirc the motor casing for the M5 or M5E1 was steel pipe, which accounts for the diameter and the weld line.

I will check out the modelist link when I get to my computer.
 
Not much done lately, I do have the motor retainers yet to install. Need lots of overtime and a few less medical bills before purchasing the hardware and reloads. Still need to make bulkhead plate foe nosecone.
 
Several people have asked about the drawing I used to base my model off of, its the one by V. Minakov and is labelled in Russian and all measurements are in metric. VCP just shared a huge file of data including many drawings and the one by Minakov in his Nike Hercules CAD model thread here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?144957-Nike-Hercules-CAD-model-build


Edit: the file is huge, nearly 800MB of data, its one of the most complete collections I have seen for the Nike Hercules.
 
Is there definitive data on the longitudinal weld line orientation on the Hercules Nike motors? I've not seen that on any data, and the photographs I have are inconclusive or perhaps contradictory. Does it vary with the round/model? I guess I'm also wondering what physically distinguishes the MIM-14, 14A, and 14B? I seldom know which one I'm looking at in photos.

Actually, there is also an MIM-14C, which was the MIM-14B with an improved guidance Section . . . In 1963, the "M6" ( SAM-A-25 NIKE B ) and "M6A1" became the MIM-14A and MIM-14B, respectively.

FROM : https://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Weapons/US_SAMs.htm

MIM-14A Nike-Hercules (Guided Missile, Air Defense M6 / SAM-A-25 Nike B)

Start of Service: 1958

MIM-14B Improved Hercules (Guided Missile, Air Defense M6A1)

Start of Service: June 1961

Missile Length: 322”
Missile Diameter: 21”
Missile Weight: 5,530 lbs
Missile Motor: Thiokol M30

Booster Length: 171”
Booster Diameter: 31.5”
Booster Weight: 5,180 lbs
Booster Motor: Hercules M42

Total Missile Length: 493”
Total Missile Weight: 10,710 lbs

Maximum Speed: Mach 3.65
Minimum Altitude: 3,280 ft
Maximum Altitude: 100,000 ft
Maximum Range (SAM): 83.7 nautical miles
Maximum Range (SSM): 98.3 nautical miles
Warhead: M17 HE-Frag or W31 (2 or 40 kiloton) warheads.

Notes: Had viable ATBM (Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile) and SSM (Surface-to-Surface) capabilities.

MIM-14C Nike-Hercules

Start of Service: 1972

**************************************************************************************************************

https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-14.html
https://nikemissile.org/IFC/nike_hercules.shtml
https://ed-thelen.org/missiles.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_Hercules
https://www.militarymuseum.org/T10.html
https://www.cmchant.com/western-electric-mim-14b-nike-hercules


Dave F.
 
wouldnt we all Dave, but the best I have ever seen for it is a booster diameter and a booster fin span.

The Booster length & diameter are the same on the Nike Zeus A & Nike Zeus B ( Same Booster - THIOKOL TX-135 )

However, the Fin Span is greater on the Nike Zeus A than the Nike Zeus B . . .( due to the large fins on the upper stage and shorter overall length, I suspect ).

SPARTAN is an entirely different prototype.

Dave F.

DIMENSIONS.JPG


15-West%20Point%20Cadets%20and%20Nike%20Zeus.jpg


img_39_22210_6.jpg


js640_andrey_nike_zeus_a_02 - 5X7.jpg


nza 07.jpg
 
I have a "working theory" that I am researching . . .

I am theorizing that the Upper Stage of the NIKE ZEUS A might have been the "HERCULES" Upper Stage of the NIKE HERCULES, fitted with the larger fins of the NIKE ZEUS A, and placed atop the THIOKOL MX-135 Booster.

NIKE ZEUS A was very short-lived, before being replaced by the NIKE ZEUS B and, later, SPARTAN. During the "gap" in the program, the true purpose of NIKE ZEUS A might have been, essentially, a "Booster Test Vehicle" for the NIKE ZEUS B, to get it "active", until SPARTAN was fully-developed and ready to be deployed.

Thoughts ?

Dave F.
 
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