This 1960 color public relations film by the U.S. Army is to educate the public on the benefits of having the Nike-Hercules (MIM-14) surface-to-air missile system as protection against nuclear attack. Children play with a plane, its shadow crossing them (:25-1:19). The Commander watches the radar spin, pod doors open, and the surface-to-air Nike Hercules missile rise (1:20-2:20). An animation details the sequence of using it (2:21-3:21). A bird’s-eye view shows a Nike battery (3:23-3:39). Civilian field engineers and Army Ordnance Officers meet (3:40-3:58). A map is diagrammed with the defense layout of the U.S. and Canada (4:07-4:50). Men’s hands move documents down a conference table with a miniature Nike Ajax missile (4:52-5:25). Engineers draw missile designs on paper and chalkboards (5:26-6:18). Library books are “Faraday’s Experimental Researches in Electricity”, Lord Rayleigh “Scientific Papers”, Maxwell “Electricity and Magnetism”, Heaviside “Electrical Papers”, and Bell Labs “Radar Systems and Components” (6:19-6:56). Bell Labs equipment simulate an encounter. Dials are turned, switches switched, and lights lit. The simulation occurs via the computers, with the “time to interception in seconds”. The results are plotted (6:58-7:52). A T&E Lab cart holds a missile at Redstone Arsenal. The start button on electronic equipment causes the engine to fire (7:53-8:24). An officer at White Sands closes the gate (8:25-3:32). An experimental Hercules model is launched and tracked by equipment (8:25-10:52). Film is printed into graphs and studied by engineers (10:53-11:18). Civilians and soldiers discuss the results (11:19-11:53). “Nike Hercules Prototype Battery” sign is shown (11:54-12:12). A prototype testing diagram is reviewed on a chalkboard (12:11-12:32). Soldiers are instructed about it (12:33-12:44). Equipment and manuals are shown, and prototype parts are tested in a lab (12:55-13:40). The launcher, booster, and missile are joined (13:41-14:13). Prototype parts and electronic systems are at Douglas Aircraft (14:15-15:45). Missile soldiers enter a “US Army Air Defense School High Altitude Missile Dept Instruction Area” at Fort Bliss. Officers stand around a diorama of a Nike battery, sit in a classroom with a control station, and learn how the guidance works (15:46-17:48). Soldiers learn how to use the radar eyes (17:49-18:15) or become launch specialists (18:16-18:39). The groups assemble to form Nike Hercules batteries (18:40-19:41). Safety precautions require a special set of keys (19:42-20:25). The components for a battery are transported to the Nike site in New Mexico and set up (20:26-21:49). A test launch at an “enemy” drone is shown from the aspect of all stations and equipment involved, as a series of buttons, switches, dials, and keys are activated. After launching, the missile turns to follow the drone and explodes it (21:50-26:59).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com