Freedom Model Kits MIM-14 Nike Hercules, 1:35

[Jakko]

Taking far longer than I had expected when I bought the kit, this model is now done. You can read the (short) build thread here.



And a picture with Trumpeter’s S-75 Dvina (“SA-2 Guideline”) that I built around twenty years ago when it was new:



Despite the S-75 being on some groundwork that adds about 1.5 cm to its height, the Nike is still clearly taller …

 

[Jim R]

That's very nice Jakko and certainly makes an unusual model . These things were certainly huge, about 35/40 feet maybe, and they were in service over a long period. You'll have to build a Patriot to show the timeline

 

[Jakko]

certainly makes an unusual model .

That’s pretty much what attracted me to it

These things were certainly huge, about 35/40 feet maybe

The missile alone was about 12 metres long (“approximately 39 feet” says the technical manual for it) and weighed close to 5 tonnes …

and they were in service over a long period. You'll have to build a Patriot to show the timeline

That, and an MIM-23 Hawk Both of those were/are in RNLAF service and are available in 1:35, but especially the Patriot is expensive enough that I don’t feel like buying it for something I don’t find all that interesting. I would certainly build the Hawk first, if I did decide to expand my collection of SAMs.

 

[Mark1]

Nice job.

 

[scottie3158]

Jakko,
That's a nice result of something different.

 

[Jakko]

That’s why I like kits like this: something different I kind of had my eye on it for a few months, after I came across it on Scalemates, but restrained myself. Until the model show about five weeks ago, when I had decided I would go around the trade stalls and buy something to build at the show over the weekend. One of the stands had this kit, and it looked like a good choice: a missile, so not that many parts, should be doable to put it together over two days. And it would have been, had this kit been by Tamiya, Takom, RFM, Meng, or similar …

But if you think this is different, just wait for the one I’m waiting for too (because I ordered it a few days ago ).

 

[minitnkr]

The Hawk system was kinda cool as there was several elements to model. Didn't Renwal do one decades ago? I think there was long range acquisition, & short range tracking radars, head shed, launcher & a neat little tractor to carry reloads.

 

[Jakko]

I think Renwall had one in one of those odd 1950s fit-the-box scales, but Dragon and AFV Club have the basic launcher in 1:35. The only western SAM of this kind of size that you can probably build with all its ancillary equipment is probably the Patriot, though — unless you like scratchbuilding large stuff, anyway

 

[minitnkr]

Trident still offers all eight elements of the Hawk AA system in1/87, but at very high prices, $30+@.

 

[yak face]

Excellent job jakko , and certainly different from the usual . brilliant job of highlighting/ shading the all white missile , a tricky job , cheers tony

 

[Jakko]

Trident still offers all eight elements of the Hawk AA system in1/87, but at very high prices, $30+@.

For the whole system, or for the individual components? I’m guessing the latter This Nike kit cost me about €45, BTW, and if I’m honest, I would consider half that to be a good price for what you get …

brilliant job of highlighting/ shading the all white missile , a tricky job

Actually, I found that surprisingly easy I just sprayed the whole missile a pale grey (GW Corax White from an aerosol can), then sprayed white into the centres of the panels, added translucent dark grey paint into all the panel lines with a fine brush (wiping off the excess with my finger), and finally drybrushed the whole thing with matt white, especially the edges of the fins. It’s a fair amount of work, but provided you can spray reasonably fine lines with your airbrush, not really difficult.

 

[minitnkr]

Yeah Jakko, at $30+ per piece it comes to a prohibitive $240+ for the system. I think it was deployed as six launchers (18 rockets) controlled by the system & later versions (90s) were swarm defense anti missile capable.

 

[Jakko]

And that’s just the launchers and immediate auxiliary stuff, then — you’d need plenty of trucks and other vehicles for a true complete battery …

 

[JR]

Think you deserve

Jakko, congratulations.

 

[Jakko]

Thank you very much

 

[Mickc1440]

Great finish Jakko

 

[Jakko]

Thanks, though it was just a fairly straightforward paint job, IMHO At least I didn’t have to weather this one, that saved a lot of effort