Cosmodrome Nike Apache Rocket

The Nike Apache was a sounding rocket consisting of a Nike booster stage and Apache upper stage. It was the most popular sounding rocket introduced during the early 60s. Nearly identical to the Nike Cajun, it used a different propellant and had phenolic lining in the nozzle (to prevent it from becoming too hot, which was the case on the Cajun). Used for over 22 years with a launch success rate of 95.40%, it was finally retired in 1980.

The Cosmodrome kit is a really large work of art. It is also a phenomenal value, because if you build it according to the instructions, all your friends in rocketry will think you paid two or three times the price. If you're even remotely interested in this kit, you need to scroll down (quickly) through the features and scale details to get a better idea of the amazingness.

A tiny heads-up, though; the retro-style (like 1954) face card in the packaging can charitably be described as "quaint". Older rocketeers get warm fuzzies. Teens that frequent our walk-in shop are turned off vehemently and completely. Get past the face card, though, and you're in for a tantalizing treat.

Premium Quality Body Tubes - The tubes in this huge kit are thick-wall for extra strength. They'll easily handle the high thrust of big motors. The surface is smooth, which makes marking lines on them easy. Painting is a breeze, since the spirals are tight and require little filling.

29mm Engine Mount Tube - This rocket is designed to handle mid-power size engines, like the F, G, and even H size rocket motors.

Large 1/4 inch Launch Lug - Because this is a bigger model, you'll have a larger lug on the side of the rocket. This is used with mid-power size launch rods, to stabilize the rocket so it doesn't sway in the wind prior to launch.

Glossy pressure-sensitive decals, cool antennae - The Nike Apache is easy to paint. After that, decoration is just a matter of applying the sticker-like decals.

The antennae are primo scale detail elements, and they are easy to install.

Steel Rope Shock Cord Anchors - The Cosmodrome Nike Apache kit uses a steel shock cord anchor system. The wire-rope is attached to the forward engine mount centering ring. This gives a heat-proof anchor that can withstand even the hottest ejection charges. The shock cord and forward loop of the steel cable are situated to reduce zippering.

Bungee Shock Cord - This is a heavy-duty elastic shock cord designed for high stress deployments. Instead of being flat (like underwear elastic), it has a circular cross section to give it more heat resistance.

Quick link - The parachute is connected to the shock cord with a solid steel quick link. It's a premium detail high-power devotees have been using for years but most kit manufacturers don't provide, and is another example of the sheer value of this rocket.

Special transition anchor - Cosmodrome provides a large, coarsely-threaded plastic anchor that epoxies into the transition. No loose eye bolts here.

The rocket is packaged nicely so the small hardware doesn't rattle around and damage any of the other parts.

It gets better - The bright aluminum and silver-gray paint scheme gets full play in the antennae section as shown above. A scale body wrap subtly thickens the forward portion of the Apache body from the nose cone to just aft of the antennae. You really have to see it in the flesh to get the full impact.

Whatever you do, do not fly this rocket naked!

The primary reason this is a Skill Level 4 rocket is that you are required to cut the slots for the through-the-wall fins. The antennae are fairly easy to install but require a little patience. There are two scale-detail body wraps that add thickness to the Nike fin can and the Apache body up next to the nose cone. A solid paper centering ring must be sanded and shaped. The paint pattern is a little more complex than just masking a couple of things off.

Mounting the metal shock cord anchor to the centering rings, nose weight, and the threaded rod for the engine retainer system will require epoxy adhesive. This can be messy and cause an allergic reaction in some people. Adult supervision and wearing rubber gloves is recommended when working with epoxy.

The Nike Apache is a bigger rocket that uses heavy wall tubes. It also has a substantial interior metal nose weigh to provide added stability. While the tubes don't make the rocket any harder to assemble, it does require extra safety precautions when flown. Patience and acquired flying skills to know when and where NOT to fly are just as important as quality construction techniques.

While this kit does include an engine retention system, the kit can easily be modified to use the Aero Pack Engine Retainers. This gives the model a extra professional-looking appearance.

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Masking Tape
• Hobby Knife
• Wood Glue
• Super Glue (CyA adhesive)
• 2-Part Epoxy Adhesive. We recommend Fix-it Epoxy Clay

To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:

• Rocket Motors (Not included with this kit - See the motor selection above).
• Launch Pad & Launch Controller (Not included with this kit)

Q. Can this model be turned into a 2-stage rocket?

A. No. The reason is that the forward shoulder on the balsa transition section would interfere with a motor mount in the top stage. It would take major surgery to convert this into a 2 stage rocket.

Q. What launch pad should I use to launch this rocket kit?

A. Since this is a big rocket, you'll need very stable launch pad. We offer the Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad and the Estes Porta Pad-E.

Q. What launch controller can I use to ignite the motors?

A. We offer two different controllers that can be used for mid-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do?

A. Watch this YouTube video.