Apogee HP Nike-Hercules Kit

[dpower]

Looks fantastic! Signed up.

 

[K3LAG]

I signed up too. We'll eventually need a Nike Ajax to go with it.

 

[aerostadt]

I just gone done watching Tim's presentation on the NARAM-65 manufacturing forum Apogee segment. Tim is saying that the second stage is heavy and will require a composite motor. I have used a 24 mm composite motor before in the second stage of a TLP Standard Missile that I modified. Igniting a small 24 mm composite motor in a second stage was a challenge. I wonder if care will be needed to ignite a 29 mm composite motor in a second stage. I would pay extra attention to the directions when the kit is released.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

I just gone done watching Tim's presentation on the NARAM-65 manufacturing forum Apogee segment. Tim is saying that the second stage is heavy and will require a composite motor. I have used a 24 mm composite motor before in the second stage of a TLP Standard Missile that I modified. Igniting a small 24 mm composite motor in a second stage was a challenge. I wonder if care will be needed to ignite a 29 mm composite motor in a second stage. I would pay extra attention to the directions when the kit is released.

Having seen it now next to a person, it’s larger than I was thinking. I would probably use a Blue Thunder composite motor in the second stage.

 

[AlexBruccoleri]

I am confused why thrust matters in a second stage. As long as it lights under stable velocity, even an A motor would be fine.

 

[Tommie D]

Waiting to see the demo flight at Airfest.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

Some additional photos including some good inflight photographs have been posted on the Apogee page.

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Model-Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-5-Model-Rocket-Kits/Nike-Hercules

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Another view of the NH...



From Billy James on FB...

 

[ShadowSpire48]

If it can be built to be flown single stage like the Boyce one, it might attract more people. Not many places I would risk a 2 stage midpower rocket costing as much as it will be.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

The most recent Apogee newsletter is all about the upcoming Nike-Hercules!

https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter637.pdf

 

[pugachu]

Wow, that's a pretty cool and very detailed kit. Makes my 'sport scale' of almost the same size look crude.


(And yes, I know the booster is larger than scale, I did it to help with stability)

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Wow, that's a pretty cool and very detailed kit. Makes my 'sport scale' of almost the same size look crude.
View attachment 673344

(And yes, I know the booster is larger than scale, I did it to help with stability)

Looks like papier-mâché...

 

[Brent]

The price is now listed. 499.99

 

[OC-Patrick]

The price is now listed. 499.99

WOW! 5 large bills for this. I was willing to go a bit over 200.

 

[Brent]

WOW! 5 large bills for this. I was willing to go a bit over 200.

I was figuring 300.00, but wow. Never paid that much for a non fiberglass kit.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

 

[Capt. Eric]

The price is now listed. 499.99

Too rich for my blood (and pension).

Also says available on Nov 26.

 

[Tommie D]

I missed the Airfest flight but did talk with him afterwards and got to check it out up close and see the aftermath. Less then steller flight that ended up with a broken fin. At first I was all excited about this rocket but after seeing it up close I was not quite as impressed with it but it's still very nice and I still wanted one so I put back $250 as a estimation. If it's going to be twice the price I'll pass and start planning on a level three project.

 

[neil_w]

That is steep.

Given what goes into it that might be a reasonable price, but I wonder how many are going to be willing to pay that. The big ARGO Javalin from NCR is the same price (and also very very nice), curious how well that one has sold.

 

[Capt. Eric]

I missed the Airfest flight but did talk with him afterwards and got to check it out up close and see the aftermath. Less then steller flight that ended up with a broken fin. At first I was all excited about this rocket but after seeing it up close I was not quite as impressed with it but it's still very nice and I still wanted one so I put back $250 as a estimation. If it's going to be twice the price I'll pass and start planning on a level three project.

I was guessing at $300. Wrong!

And don't forget it also needs electronics for the air start. Another $100-150.
A little more for adhesives and paints, etc. It's a $700 project, and we still need 5 engines!

Priced me out I'm afraid. A shame. I like the look and wanted one. There is one on display not too far from me at Sandy Hook where some were deployed.

I guess we'll have to consider Boyce's versions.

 

[311stylie]

Yeah I'm out. That's stupid expensive. I stopped buying from Tim years ago due to pricing. The only thing I pay for is Rocksim Pro. I was looking forward to this and as all of you did I thought "OK it's apogee, it's going to be pricey, $300". After seeing it live at AIRfest and talking to Tim personally about it, I was already turned off that the 2nd stage is not dual deploy, which limits how high you can push it. But this is a total deal breaker.

I guess Bidenomics didn't affect Colorado. Weird how that happens.

 

[cls]

Somewhere in storage I have a Sandman Nike Hercules kit. $300, any takers!?? I guess not...

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

Tim probably has a limited stock on hand. Like those crazy eBay listings, once they're gone, they're gone. They can make 500 3FNC kits for $100 or 100 kits with super detail for $500 and make the same money (not including R&D costs and specialty molds so maybe they do need to sell 500 kits to break even).

 

[NOLA_BAR]

That is steep.

Given what goes into it that might be a reasonable price, but I wonder how many are going to be willing to pay that. The big ARGO Javalin from NCR is the same price (and also very very nice), curious how well that one has sold.

That ARGO Javelin is a nice model, but still too $$$ for me. Since it uses 3D printed parts, you can do smaller runs based on demand.

 

[NOLA_BAR]

Somewhere in storage I have a Sandman Nike Hercules kit. $300, any takers!?? I guess not...

I built his 24mm Nike Hercules. One flight on it so far. These are nice kits. All that custom balsa, I think you would have no trouble getting $250.

 

[Tommie D]

I have one of his Little Joe's, Might build after I retire.

Somewhere in storage I have a Sandman Nike Hercules kit. $300, any takers!?? I guess not...

 

[SamW]

I was figuring 300.00, but wow. Never paid that much for a non fiberglass kit.

I never will lol

 

[MikeT]

$500.00 , Holy smokes.....................

 

[NTP2]

$500, I think Tim's lost his marbles.

 

[KenECoyote]

Herculean price!

Joking aside, it appears to be an incredible looking kit, requiring a LOT of R&D and custom pieces. It's not for everyone, but neither are large fg kits or TLP kits that sell for hundreds when they used to cost $20-$50. Inflation also sucks.

If anyone shows up at a club launch I'm attending, I'll be duly impressed and would love to see it up close and also see it launched.