Hey everyone! Don't post often but I thought this special project would be a good build thread!
I'm obsessed with the Nike Ajax and the Herc. There are a handful of old Nike missile sites within a few miles of my home and the history of the whole program is very interesting. Most of you probably know how difficult this missile is to build and fly, but I am going to try.
I still don't know If I want to stage it, leaning towards not for simplicity. Not like I haven't staged HP before .
Anyways onto the program. I hope the pics upload!
Now, I 3D modeled the whole missile in full scale using drawings and docs found on this site. I cant remember where I got them exactly but thanks to those who posted them!
I scaled the entire build based on a LOC 4" booster, which thankfully mean that 3" LOC Tubing was just about correct for the sustainer, so score.
Note: I had already printed the interstage months ago, but it came out like crap, so that needs a redo but its a great placeholder for now.
This picture shows a fin halfway through the machining process. You can see here the doweling fixture I made so that could flip the stock and essentially carve the fin from the 1/2" ply
This photos shows the machined fin after being cut out of the stock and tabs sanded off.
And heres the magic of the CNC, a perfect tapered diamond airfoil with no sanding! (Okay perfectish but good enough)
Next up. BEEFY centering rings!
I'm obsessed with the Nike Ajax and the Herc. There are a handful of old Nike missile sites within a few miles of my home and the history of the whole program is very interesting. Most of you probably know how difficult this missile is to build and fly, but I am going to try.
I still don't know If I want to stage it, leaning towards not for simplicity. Not like I haven't staged HP before .
Anyways onto the program. I hope the pics upload!
Now, I 3D modeled the whole missile in full scale using drawings and docs found on this site. I cant remember where I got them exactly but thanks to those who posted them!
I scaled the entire build based on a LOC 4" booster, which thankfully mean that 3" LOC Tubing was just about correct for the sustainer, so score.
Note: I had already printed the interstage months ago, but it came out like crap, so that needs a redo but its a great placeholder for now.
This picture shows a fin halfway through the machining process. You can see here the doweling fixture I made so that could flip the stock and essentially carve the fin from the 1/2" ply
This photos shows the machined fin after being cut out of the stock and tabs sanded off.
And heres the magic of the CNC, a perfect tapered diamond airfoil with no sanding! (Okay perfectish but good enough)
Next up. BEEFY centering rings!