Boyce Nike Hercules Gap Staged 1:24th Scale Model Rocket

This is definitely one of the most exciting scale model rockets we have ever offered! Our newly designed two stage Nike Hercules in 1:24th scale offers modelers the excitement and challenge of both clustering and staging in an easy to build and highly accurate model of the famous ground to air interceptor missile.

We developed this model with the help and kind assistance of Steve Kristal, a long time rocketeer and the current Vice President of NAR (National Association of Rocketry) thru 2027. Steve has a passion for building and flying scale model rockets and served as NAR's Junior Division Team Coach in this years 2026 World Space Modeling Championships. Best of all Steve is THE DEFACTO GURU for all things related to gap staging which was invaluable for our joint effort to create this exciting model.

This model flies with four 18mm B6 motors in its booster. The four B6 booster motors provide the following functions besides initial flight:

• B6-0 ignites the second stage motor at burnout via a gap stage channel incorporated in the interstage. The Nike Hercules' scale staging vents are actually used in the gap staging process providing both fantastic realism but also preventing excess pressure from separating the stages before the sustainer motor has ignited!
• B6-2 burns thru a piece of Dritz Elastic holding the booster interstage to the booster and ejects the interstage
• B6-2 ejects booster parachute #1
• B6-2 ejects booster parachute #2

After the booster staging events occur the second stage motor continues the flight carrying the Nike Hercules' second stage to amazing heights prior to ejecting it's parachute at apogee. Steve used a B6-4 motor in the second stage flight tests and said that he almost lost sight of the model but you can also try a C6-7 in the second stage if you like to live on the edge!

During this redesign we also checked the model for scale accuracy and found a few areas that needed correction so this if officially our most accurate Nike Hercules yet.

Our model comes with the following:

• 16 high quality 3D printed ABS parts (includes one extra booster motor retainer)
• 6 pre-cut tubes
• 5' Kevlar anchor cord
• 2' Elastic shock cord
• Dritz Elastic (enough for 5 clustered/staged flights)
• 2 booster motor retainer screws (one is extra)
• Complete waterslide decal set
• Detailed instructions

The kit is a fun and fast build and is a real crowd pleaser at any launch. We recommend using MJG Black Powder Starters and a 12 volt high power launch system to insure ignition of all four motors in the booster.