Freedom Model Kits 1/35 Nike Hercules

[Ramba]

Got this not that long ago for fairly cheap.


I started with the missile. The top fins sit too low in the body. The top fins should be flush with the body. Actually, the forward part of the fin should be slightly raised as seen in the second image.



I filled in the grooves with plastic strips to raise the fins to have them flush with the body.



Got the missile body and booster rockets partially assembled. The second image shows the booster rockets dry fitted. It is over 12" long.



Got all the fins on. Again, the booster rockets are only dry fitted to the missile.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Looks like you are off to a good start on the missile.  I donated my Nike Hercules to the Seattle IPMS model kit raffle at the last model show so I no longer have one in protective custody. 

In your research have you come across any images of the South Korean Nike Hercules that were modified to use the Honest John rocket motor to replace the original Nike Ajax booster cluster?  It is a very subtle change in appearance and not readily recognized by the casual observer. 

[Old Wombat]

Off to a flying start!


(Did you see what I did there? )

[Ramba]

Looks like you are off to a good start on the missile.  I donated my Nike Hercules to the Seattle IPMS model kit raffle at the last model show so I no longer have one in protective custody. 

In your research have you come across any images of the South Korean Nike Hercules that were modified to use the Honest John rocket motor to replace the original Nike Ajax booster cluster?  It is a very subtle change in appearance and not readily recognized by the casual observer.

Thanks! Did you have the Freedom Model Kits 1/35 kit or the Monogram 1/40 version? The Freedom Model needs a ton of filling and sanding. It reminds me of the older Monogram kits from the 70's and 80's.

I haven't researched the South Korean version but the camo version is pretty cool. Looks like the MERDC camo scheme.


I did see this one though which has the different booster rocket. Is this the one you mentioned that has the Honest John booster rocket?


This is paint scheme I plan on doing. I like the overall OD version as well but I only have one so will have to decide but the half white/half OD version is topping the list.

[Ramba]

Off to a flying start!


(Did you see what I did there? )

Thanks! I see what you did there 

[Ramba]

Started on the launch rail and frame. Lots and lots of filling and sanding needed. I didn't take a lot of in-progress photos of the launch rail and frame because the filling and sanding took up a lot of time and I just wanted to get it together.

[Ramba]

This is where I am at the moment. The missile is only dry fitted to the launcher. There are still a few small things that need attaching to the base and the missile then I can prime everything. It's been raining here all week so haven't had a chance to prime it yet. Hoping this weekend it clears up. The launch rail is workable to raise it and lower it but it doesn't work all that well. It is better to select a position and just glue it in place which is what I did.

[taiidantomcat]

All I can say is Whoa!! 

[GTX_Admin]

I wonder about a mobile version ...probably truck mounted.

[Ramba]

All I can say is Whoa!! 

That was my expression as well after seeing the size of it.

[Ramba]

I wonder about a mobile version ...probably truck mounted.

I found these images on Google which stated it was only a prototype though.

[Frank3k]

Nice work on the model!

[raafif]

That launch truck is a LeTourneau product 

[GTX_Admin]

I found these images on Google which stated it was only a prototype though.

 

[Ramba]

Nice work on the model!

Thanks!

[Ramba]

That launch truck is a LeTourneau product 

Thanks for the info!

[Buzzbomb]

Ohh... I like this

[Ramba]

Ohh... I like this

Thanks!

[Ramba]

I was hoping to get this at least primed over the weekend but I totally forgot to fill the gaps between the main fins and missile body. I did tape off the areas to get the filler in but never started it. Soooo, this kit is now set back a while until I feel motivated enough to fill and sand it.

[Ramba]

Finally got back to this kit. I used Mr. Dissolved Putty for the gaps in the body where the main fins sit. I had taped off the areas sometime last month which you can see in the image in the previous post above. I taped them off for minimal cleanup around the puttied areas. The Mr. Dissolved Putty is very watery even after shaking and stirring. Well, it is more of a milky consistency and it starts to get a film at the top if you leave the jar open too long so you need to constantly shake/stir it to keep it a milky consistency. It also takes about 3-4 applications for full coverage of the gaps in the fins.


Anyway, tape removed around the fins and waiting for the putty to cure properly then I just need to sand it next. Seems like a fine grit will work well enough. Not sure when I will get to that though but at least I got the putty on. That's a lot of work for me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Frank3k]

Some putties can be removed with a cotton bud/q-tip or a microbrush and some isopropyl or denatured alcohol. No sanding needed; just run some alcohol along the puttied seam, wait 10-30 sec and wipe off the excess.

You should test the dissolved putty and see if it can be removed with alcohol when dry.

[Ramba]

Some putties can be removed with a cotton bud/q-tip or a microbrush and some isopropyl or denatured alcohol. No sanding needed; just run some alcohol along the puttied seam, wait 10-30 sec and wipe off the excess.

You should test the dissolved putty and see if it can be removed with alcohol when dry.

Thanks for the tips.  I read somewhere some people were using Tamiya X-20A with Q-Tips to remove the excess putty but that was before it was dry. I wanted to minimize the use of thinners so I went with the taping off around the areas instead. Thanks for the IPA idea. I do have some 90% sitting right next to me. Might be too late now as the putty is already starting to cure. I will try the IPA next time I use the Mr. Dissolved Putty.

[Frank3k]

Try it even on the cured putty. It will either dissolve it or it won't affect it at all.

[Ramba]

Try it even on the cured putty. It will either dissolve it or it won't affect it at all.

I tried the 91% IPA but hours after the Mr. Dissolved Putty already dried though. The IPA did remove some of the dried putty but very, very little. I did end up having to use the sandpaper. Next time I use the Mr. Dissolved Putty I will try the IPA before it dries.

Here it is after sanding and cleaning up. Ready for primer now but the cold weather is upon us so no idea when I will actually get to prime it.

[Old Wombat]

Looking good!



It still weirds me out that you have a "painting season"!

I paint in my garage all year, as there's no time when the paint won't work (although it may take a few more minutes to dry).