NIKE Hercules missle launcher with loading platform
I couldn't resist this any longer. I have been eyeing this kit for years. It really is well-engineered. Everything fit together nicely and getting all the hydraulics in place was very enjoyable. I did some research on the loading platform and happened to have the right plastics in the supply department. This is the Revell kit. There are some great videos on YouTube to explore the history of these defense systems.
I hope you enjoy.
California Steve
You did a great job with a really old kit, Steve (@stevenflowers). I grew up in El Paso when they had a bunch of these at Ft Bliss. I found some photos of one of these with a black top section and built it while back using the same kit. Well done bringing out the best in this elderly kit.
Thank you George, I had it Painted white and decided to black out the
Main tanks for contrast. It was fun.
California Steve
Yes, Steve, you really did bring out the best in this Cold War kit. I think I was 13 when I built mine. I recall the box art was great.
Ever been to the Nike museum in the Marin County headlands?
https://www.nps.gov/goga/nike-missile-site.htm
I haven't been there yet. I'm saving that trip for a longer weekend, but plan to go.
Thanks for the like.
California Steve
Nice work, Steve, I always enjoy your posts.
Hello George!, great to hear from you. I'm kind of going back to do some of the older kits I missed. And having a lot of fun doing it. The tooling on this old kit is still great.
Thanks George
California Steve
Very nice model. I know what you went through as I've built this kit too. It's not bad considering the age and time, but the missile required a lot of work.
Of all the reviews I posted on Modeling Madness, this one had the most feedback ever and a couple of requests to build it or sell it.
Unfortunately it was destroyed several years ago (not by me.)
Hello Dan. Destroyed!-- So what is the name of your cat? Just kidding.
Years ago my cat took to my very large HO train layout like Godzilla meets Mothra! what a mess. I had to call in my HO fire and rescue teams. Oh the HOmanity.
Thanks for the nice words. There is still a lot of enjoyment left over from the fiftys.
California Steve
Very cool, Steve!
Brings back some memories. Like George, I also grew up in El Paso, Texas, the home of Ft. Bliss, which at that time was the Army's air defense center. They were also tasked with defending Biggs AFB (with its B-36s and B-52s), which is right down the road. I remember the Hercules missiles with their launchers and radars lined up along the road that separates Ft. Bliss from the El Paso airport. I had no idea then just how serious that firepower actually was...
Thanks Jaime, The radar units for these are very interesting. They had to be located at a distance from the launch pads to be able to track the launch as these left the ground very quickly.
Good to hear from you.
California Steve
Amazing result, Steve! I also remember seeing them here in parades a long time ago, carrying Greek insignia on the stabilizers! What a sight!
Hello Spiros, How are you doing? Yes these were stationed in many nations. Some mobile and some stationary.
I'm just glad we didn't have to use them.
I am happy you liked my efforts. A fun kit to build.
California Steve
Beautiful result on this iconic air defense system, Steve @stevenflowers
Remembering that we also had these operational in the Netherlands.
If I'm correct, some of them still are used as gate-keepers, not operational ofcourse.
Thank you for the nice comments John. You have some nice builds going on in your collection.
California Steve
Nice. I have to build one of these !
As mentioned above by Eric Berg.
Put the Marin headlands Nike site on your bucket list of places to visit.
The only Nike to be housed in an underground bunker with James Bond like steel doors opening upward while raising the missile !
Thanks Bernard, I will defiantly be making a trip there. I was at Pegasus Hobby Saturday They had two left. They are in Upland California and I do believe they ship worldwide. 1-909-982-6507.
There now no reason not to get one.
Thanks again.
California Steve
"...on eve of destruction..." It is a cool kit, nice job on the loading assembly. I did Revells History maker boxing a few years ago. When I was really young my father took us to an open house a Ft. Totten an Army installation in NY, they had a Nike on display where they let the kids climb all over it, I'm assume that it was inert.
Hello Robert, I hope all is well with you. When I go to visit I'm bringing a two foot section of rope and a bick lighter. You have to admit it would make a cool photo standing behind it photographed trying to light the fuse. Hold my beer, I'm doing it!
The loading assembly was a fun project.
Thanks,
California Steve
Don't forget to kick the nose to see if it's a dud.
Very cool and different. Has to be a pretty well engineered model to be able to fold up and down like that.
Bill Great to hear from you. It is well engineered. And the assembly is pretty straight forward once you really follow the basic instructions. as they say," test fit then glue".
Thanks for the like.
California Steve
Very cool - I remember seeing the launch sites for these over in West Hills, defending the (now nonexistent) aerospace industry in the SFV here in the City of Lost Angles.
Same as Long Island/NYC
I'm digging into the history a little deeper. I would like to find out how many were manufactured and what countries had them. Now I'm in a mission.
Thanks Robert.
Tom How are you. My work takes me to that area all the time. I work outside sales for the Peterbilt dealer in Sylmar. Guess what I came upon off the 14 freeway a couple of weeks ago.
The original Melody Ranch Studios that Gene Autry owned. It is still there and is still a working lot and sound stages. Its about seventeen acres surrounded by houses now. Google it on Google Earth. It even has a tank sitting there.
Thanks Tom,
California Steve
Yeah, Melody Ranch gets a lot of location work. TV and advertising now.
Great job, Steve! I've visited Norwegian aviation museum this weekend, and they have a Nike Hercules on display - I've made several detail shots and I would really love to build one, one day.
Thanks Sebastijan, Glad you liked my project.
California Steve
Awesome job on this one Steve. You have a great skillset and always deliver interesting models to look at. This is a FANTASTIC rendition of the missile and it begs to be displayed as part of a diorama.
Hello Morne! Great to hear from you. Now the question would be, above or below ground in a bunker with the twin opening doors?
Thank for the nice comments.
California Steve
Very nicely done. Those Nikes really looked like the business. There's an old Nike missile site just down the road from me here in the Washington, DC area.
Thanks Greg, The amount of these sights just in the states is amazing.
California Steve