Performance Rocketry Nike Apache and Nike Smoke

[OhioFlyer]

An acquaintance of mine is selling a pair of old Performance Rocketry kits. They have the 4" Nike Apache and 5.5" Nike Smoke, both of which have the one piece fin cans and gelcoat NC. Has anyone built these? Thoughts on them? The Nike Smoke is neat but the Apache is interesting as it could be setup for two stage. It would be tight though as the sustainer is 28mm tubing. If anyone has done it I'd love to know how you setup the interstage and electronics.

Thoughts on a fair price?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the kits, pictures of the Nike Apache can be seen here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/4-fiberglass-nike-apache.162515/

 

[crossfire]

An acquaintance of mine is selling a pair of old Performance Rocketry kits. They have the 4" Nike Apache and 5.5" Nike Smoke, both of which have the one piece fin cans and gelcoat NC. Has anyone built these? Thoughts on them? The Nike Smoke is neat but the Apache is interesting as it could be setup for two stage. It would be tight though as the sustainer is 28mm tubing. If anyone has done it I'd love to know how you setup the interstage and electronics.

Thoughts on a fair price?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the kits, pictures of the Nike Apache can be seen here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/4-fiberglass-nike-apache.162515/

Do you have pictures of the rockets? I have the same Smoke. I built a avbay in cone just to bring out main. Used motor ejection also. Used a big chute and didn't fly it to high.

 

[OhioFlyer]

I didn't snap any pictures of the kits but it's basically the same construction as the ones in the for sale ad I posted. Very basic kit with just the Nike had some ply centering rings, mmt tube, body tube, Gelcoat nosecone, and Gelcoat one piece fin can. The Apache was similar but included glass centering rings.

 

[crossfire]

I didn't snap any pictures of the kits but it's basically the same construction as the ones in the for sale ad I posted. Very basic kit with just the Nike had some ply centering rings, mmt tube, body tube, Gelcoat nosecone, and Gelcoat one piece fin can. The Apache was similar but included glass centering rings.

I kind of like wood CRs with fiberglass tubes. Is tune filament wound glass tube or the old style FG tube. Older style tube is nice.

 

[H_Rocket]

I have the Apache and the fin cans are nice (however they can be fragile as the Nike part has hollow fins). Staging it will be a bit of work as the front end of the transition is not very strong and would need to be reinforced while still leaving room for the motor. I built mine as a single stage with what is essentially the strangest looking nose cone. I put my electronics in the transition and based it on an ARTS so I did not have to worry about airflow over the transition. If I get a moment, I'll take some pictures.

By the way, the fin cans are carbon fiber.

 

[OhioFlyer]

I kind of like wood CRs with fiberglass tubes. Is tune filament wound glass tube or the old style FG tube. Older style tube is nice.

It's the older style tube and yes its nice stuff.

 

[OhioFlyer]

I have the Apache and the fin cans are nice (however they can be fragile as the Nike part has hollow fins). Staging it will be a bit of work as the front end of the transition is not very strong and would need to be reinforced while still leaving room for the motor. I built mine as a single stage with what is essentially the strangest looking nose cone. I put my electronics in the transition and based it on an ARTS so I did not have to worry about airflow over the transition. If I get a moment, I'll take some pictures.

By the way, the fin cans are carbon fiber.

Yeah, I have heard the fincans can be a bit on the weak side. Single deploy would certainly be easier. Could do a mid break with a cable cutter as well.

Thoughts on a fair price for the kits?

 

[crossfire]

If you decide not to take the Smoke I have an intrest.

 

[JackC]

An acquaintance of mine is selling a pair of old Performance Rocketry kits. They have the 4" Nike Apache and 5.5" Nike Smoke, both of which have the one piece fin cans and gelcoat NC. Has anyone built these? Thoughts on them? The Nike Smoke is neat but the Apache is interesting as it could be setup for two stage. It would be tight though as the sustainer is 28mm tubing. If anyone has done it I'd love to know how you setup the interstage and electronics.

Thoughts on a fair price?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the kits, pictures of the Nike Apache can be seen here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/4-fiberglass-nike-apache.162515/

I have the Nike Smoke. I’ve had it for 15 years. Just flew it again last month. It’s a great rocket.

My advice: put a 98mm motor tube in it. Buy some airframe tube to stretch the rocket to 89 inches. I use an anti-zipper coupler in the sustainer which allows me to use up to 4 grain 98mm motors. I would also recommend beefing up the fins for additional strength. Good luck!

 

[JackC]

An acquaintance of mine is selling a pair of old Performance Rocketry kits. They have the 4" Nike Apache and 5.5" Nike Smoke, both of which have the one piece fin cans and gelcoat NC. Has anyone built these? Thoughts on them? The Nike Smoke is neat but the Apache is interesting as it could be setup for two stage. It would be tight though as the sustainer is 28mm tubing. If anyone has done it I'd love to know how you setup the interstage and electronics.

Thoughts on a fair price?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the kits, pictures of the Nike Apache can be seen here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/4-fiberglass-nike-apache.162515/

Are they unbuilt kits or are the constructed?
If unbuilt, for the Smoke, I would say $125 to $150. If constructed, I would say price depends on whether you need to modify it or fly it as is.

 

[OhioFlyer]

Are they unbuilt kits or are the constructed?
If unbuilt, for the Smoke, I would say $125 to $150. If constructed, I would say price depends on whether you need to modify it or fly it as.

Both kits are unbuilt. The Nike is missing the tip to the NC. They are asking quite a bit more than that but open to offers so we'll see.

 

[crossfire]

Both kits are unbuilt. The Nike is missing the tip to the NC. They are asking quite a bit more than that but open to offers so we'll see.

Broken tip does cut its value. The Smokes made today are G10 fins and FW nosecone much stronger. Could you get a photo of the tip? How's the fin can?

 

[OhioFlyer]

The top of the NC doesn't look broken but rather looks to be missing a tip piece as it finishes to a round tab that looks like it would accept a tip.

The fin cans on both kits are in good shape. I'll be able to see the kit again on Tuesday.

From a scale perspective how do these compare to the modern kits from Composites Warehouse, Madcow, etc?

 

[crossfire]

Here is the tip on mine.

 

[OhioFlyer]

Here is the tip on mine.

Ok yeah, same as the kit in question. Just looked like it was missing something.

 

[crossfire]

Ok yeah, same as the kit in question. Just looked like it was missing something.

I would say those 2 kits have more of a scale look than what is made today.

 

[OverTheTop]

I did my L3 on a Performance Hobbies 8.25" Nike Smoke with an N1100. Was a nice kit to build.

 

[Dave A]

The top of the NC doesn't look broken but rather looks to be missing a tip piece as it finishes to a round tab that looks like it would accept a tip.

The fin cans on both kits are in good shape. I'll be able to see the kit again on Tuesday.

From a scale perspective how do these compare to the modern kits from Composites Warehouse, Madcow, etc?

I have several of Curtis' earlier fin cans. Some hollow ones can seem flimsy. I drill a 3/32" hole near the tip of a fin as a bleed hole. Drill another in the opposite corner. Insert a tube of expanding foam. It will be rock solid when dry.

 

[DeeRoc29]

I have the Nike Smoke. I’ve had it for 15 years. Just flew it again last month. It’s a great rocket.

Which launch site is that?

 

[crossfire]

Ok yeah, same as the kit in question. Just looked like it was missing something.

That's the way it's made. Nothing missing.

 

[JackC]

Which launch site is that?

Goldendale, WA

 

[OhioFlyer]

I did my L3 on a Performance Hobbies 8.25" Nike Smoke with an N1100. Was a nice kit to build.

Now that's a kit I'd love to get my hands on! Any pictures? Videos?

 

[OverTheTop]

Now that's a kit I'd love to get my hands on! Any pictures? Videos?

Nike Smoke Half-Scale L3 Project - Australian Rocketry

Video here:

 

[JackC]

Nike Smoke Half-Scale L3 Project - Australian Rocketry

View attachment 507913

Is that a Performance Hobbies rocket from Ken?

 

[JackC]

I have several of Curtis' earlier fin cans. Some hollow ones can seem flimsy. I drill a 3/32" hole near the tip of a fin as a bleed hole. Drill another in the opposite corner. Insert a tube of expanding foam. It will be rock solid when dry.

I agree. We had to do that for his old HV Arcas fin can. With that fix it survived a fall from 18,000 feet with no damage to the fin can. Cut that off with the lower half of the sustainer and rebuilt it like the Six Million Dollar Man!

 

[OverTheTop]

Is that a Performance Hobbies rocket from Ken?

I believe it was a Performance Hobbies kit, but sourced through Australian Rocketry.

 

[beeblebrox]

Here is the tip on mine.

That looks close to prototype! The real one has a small tube/pipe sticking out the tip about 1/2" or so. (Don't have drawing easily accessible right now...)

 

[crossfire]

Is that a Performance Hobbies rocket from Ken?

That kit was made by Performance Rocketry by Curtis and sold by ken

 

[H_Rocket]

Yeah, I have heard the fincans can be a bit on the weak side. Single deploy would certainly be easier. Could do a mid break with a cable cutter as well.

Thoughts on a fair price for the kits?

$125 - that’s what I paid for mine directly to Curtis ~10 years ago. Considering that the fun cans cannot be replaced if damaged, it’s not worth much more.

 

[OhioFlyer]

$125 - that’s what I paid for mine directly to Curtis ~10 years ago. Considering that the fun cans cannot be replaced if damaged, it’s not worth much more.

$125 for the 5.5 Nike Smoke or the Apache?