Kits vs plans for Nike Hercules?

[BBowmaster]

I’ve seen plans for sale and some scratch built Hercules. I’ve not seen a LPR version of a Nike Hercules kit. Is there any particular reason for this? I’m not above scratch building but I am lazy enough to prefer a good kit. Is there any hope of seeing one?

 

[rharshberger]

I’ve seen plans for sale and some scratch built Hercules. I’ve not seen a LPR version of a Nike Hercules kit. Is there any particular reason for this? I’m not above scratch building but I am lazy enough to prefer a good kit. Is there any hope of seeing one?

AFAIK there are currently no kits available from any vendors, you could put a wanted in the yard sale section for one but currently scratch building is the main option. As for someone kitting one who knows, its a pretty complex kit production wise.

 

[aerostadt]

You are probably talking about the plan-pack for the Nike-Hercules that was released by The Launch Pad. It has a single motor in the first stage and The Launch Pad's special way of firing the second stage with switch that closes when the first stage motor kicks back after burn-out. This method of electrically firing the second-stage is outdated and any serious modeler would replace it with a electronic device like a micro-timer with a safety feature to know that launch has occurred. The second stage does not have the boat-tail like the real missile.

 

[heada]

Gordon from Roachwerks made 4x18mm and 4x24mm kits. I don't know if he still has any but you could try him. I have both still in the box. Very challenging builds but some of the best quality I've ever seen.

https://roachwerksmachining.com.istemp.com/

 

[aerostadt]

Actually, Boyce Aerospace issued a two-stage Nike Hercules with 3D printed parts about a year ago. I have both the Roachwerks and the Boyce model. You might check with Boyce to see if they still have their Nike Hercules.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/boyce-aerospace-hobbies-is-back.136888/#post-1768053

 

[rharshberger]

Actually, Boyce Aerospace issued a two-stage Nike Hercules with 3D printed parts about a year ago. I have both the Roachwerks and the Boyce model. You might check with Boyce to see if they still have their Nike Hercules.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/boyce-aerospace-hobbies-is-back.136888/#post-1768053

Good catch Aerostadt, I forgot about the Boyce model, however it is a limited run iirc, Alex and Sheree might be convinced to do another run if there was enough interest.

 

[Arsenal78]

Boyce Aerospace has an 18mm powered single stage Nike Hercules full 3D printed. They are redesigning the larger 2 stage one and re-releasing it in July or something. The larger Boyce kit was 4x24mm for the booster and 1x24mm for the sustainer.

 

[kuririn]

Apogee has plans for a smaller Nike Hercules. Can be built either as a single or two stager.
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocke...t?cPath=1_83&zenid=nmnqdpk030gvgka4jmjahhib73
PS In addition to the TLP plan paks they had a kit up until a few years ago. Large midpower bird, single stage, very impressive.
https://www.the-launch-pad.com/blank-c1kcr

 

[OverTheTop]

Somebody on the forum is doing a nice high-detail NH for 3D printing that I seem to remember. I might do one in my spare time sometime.

 

[Bruiser]

I've been looking at the TLP plan pack because it's the scale I build most of my rockets in. It's more than I want to take on now. Still working up to it. Maybe a Nike Ajax should come first but I still haven't found one in 1/10th scale.

-Bob

 

[vcp]

Somebody on the forum is doing a nice high-detail NH for 3D printing that I seem to remember. I might do one in my spare time sometime.

I need to get back to work on that - it's been idle for six months now. I did get a 1/10 booster fin unit printed that came out very well.

 

[captbk]

I scratch built one about 10 yrs ago and still have it. All built from eyeball method, not from plans. It's a single deploy 29mm motor mount. Flies great on AT H250's. I hand carved and sanded the transition out of a 4X4" block of balsa. I will take pics and post later.

 

[rharshberger]

My little scratcher....

 

[lakeroadster]

That right there is the "Cute Picture Of The Year Award Winner" ^^^^^^^

 

[aerostadt]

My little scratcher....
View attachment 378997

Rich,
That is a beautiful scratcher. It looks huge. I wonder what scale it is. As I remember you might have had a TRF thread on this model. Have you flown this, yet?

 

[rharshberger]

Rich,
That is a beautiful scratcher. It looks huge. I wonder what scale it is. As I remember you might have had a TRF thread on this model. Have you flown this, yet?

I do have a thread on it and its 1/8-ish scale. It has not flown yet as I have yet to acquire the 3 additional 29mm motors it needs (4 booster, 1 sustainer). For those interested the plan I used was Minakov's that I had enlarged to the point I could ditch scale factor math and do direct 1:1 measurements and tracings. The enlarged drawing is like 4' x6', and my local business reproduction/copy service did it for like $20 for several black and white copies. iirc its 52" tall, and the tubes are all available from BMS (T204-34 x4 and T300-34x1), nose cone is turned basswood using a pattern generated by Open Rocket and matched to the blown up drawing.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Kits ?

We don't need no stinkin' kits !

Scratch-Build . . .

Dave F.

 

[Araize01]

I’ve seen plans for sale and some scratch built Hercules. I’ve not seen a LPR version of a Nike Hercules kit. Is there any particular reason for this? I’m not above scratch building but I am lazy enough to prefer a good kit. Is there any hope of seeing one?

I think Boyce aerospace makes a printed version.

 

[Araize01]

I’ve seen plans for sale and some scratch built Hercules. I’ve not seen a LPR version of a Nike Hercules kit. Is there any particular reason for this? I’m not above scratch building but I am lazy enough to prefer a good kit. Is there any hope of seeing one?

I was correct. Boyce aerospace has a low power version, printed in abs. 19.5" tall, 5.5" fin span. Uses a D12-5. No chute or shock cord. $55 + $10 shipping.