Hellenic Models RUR-5 ASROC Launcher Set

Reviewed August 2025 by Felix Bustelo
HISTORY
Soviet submarines posed a serious threat to the U.S. Navy beginning in the 1950s. The newer high-speed Soviet submarines made it highly unlikely for anti-submarine warships to be able to of get close enough to drop depth charges directly over a target. “Stand-off” weapons similar to hedgehog launchers would be more effective as ASW weapons. To meet this need, the RUR-5 ASROC (for "Anti-Submarine Rocket") was developed. These were an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile. ASROC had a 10,000-yard range and made for a potent combination with the new SQS-23 sonar which had a similar range. The ASROC missiles were deployed in the Mk 112 box-like, eight-barrel launcher. The Mk 112 served as a ready service magazine for eight ASROC missiles and positioned them for firing. The launcher was divided into four double guides, each housing two missiles in an over-under arrangement. The ASROC Weapons System was first installed in the USS Norfolk (DL-1) in 1960. Afterwards, it was installed on various classes of US Navy destroyers, destroyer escorts and frigates. This system was phased out in the 1990s and replaced with the RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC, or "VLA". The Mk 112 launcher was also installed on ships from numerous foreign navies.
Hellenic RUR-5 ASROC Launcher Set
Hellenic Ship Model has produced a 1:350 scale 3D printed RUR-5 ASROC launcher set which contains a total of eight units with separate ring bases. Four of the launchers are in a fully stowed position and four with one of the double guides in a 45-degree firing position. Each launcher is fully assembled and very nicely detailed. All you have to do is to remove the launcher and its base from the print raft, attach the base to the bottom of the launcher, paint and attach to your model.


CONCLUSIONS
This accessory set from Hellenic Ship Model is very well done and easy to use. The set provides eight launchers, which is quite generous for the price of €10.00 or about $11.70 US. This is a bargain as this breaks down to about €1.25 or $1.46 each. It will greatly enhance any 1:350 scale ship model that is fitted with an ASROC missile launcher. I would like to thank Kostas Kokkinos of Hellenic Ship Model for the review sample.

Reviewed August 2025
by Felix Bustelo

HISTORY

Soviet submarines posed a serious threat to the U.S. Navy beginning in the 1950s. The newer high-speed Soviet submarines made it highly unlikely for anti-submarine warships to be able to of get close enough to drop depth charges directly over a target. “Stand-off” weapons similar to hedgehog launchers would be more effective as ASW weapons. To meet this need, the RUR-5 ASROC (for "Anti-Submarine Rocket") was developed. These were an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile. ASROC had a 10,000-yard range and made for a potent combination with the new SQS-23 sonar which had a similar range.

The ASROC missiles were deployed in the Mk 112 box-like, eight-barrel launcher. The Mk 112 served as a ready service magazine for eight ASROC missiles and positioned them for firing. The launcher was divided into four double guides, each housing two missiles in an over-under arrangement.

The ASROC Weapons System was first installed in the USS Norfolk (DL-1) in 1960. Afterwards, it was installed on various classes of US Navy destroyers, destroyer escorts and frigates. This system was phased out in the 1990s and replaced with the RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC, or "VLA". The Mk 112 launcher was also installed on ships from numerous foreign navies.

Hellenic RUR-5 ASROC Launcher Set

Hellenic Ship Model has produced a 1:350 scale 3D printed RUR-5 ASROC launcher set which contains a total of eight units with separate ring bases. Four of the launchers are in a fully stowed position and four with one of the double guides in a 45-degree firing position. Each launcher is fully assembled and very nicely detailed. All you have to do is to remove the launcher and its base from the print raft, attach the base to the bottom of the launcher, paint and attach to your model.

CONCLUSIONS

This accessory set from Hellenic Ship Model is very well done and easy to use. The set provides eight launchers, which is quite generous for the price of €10.00 or about $11.70 US. This is a bargain as this breaks down to about €1.25 or $1.46 each. It will greatly enhance any 1:350 scale ship model that is fitted with an ASROC missile launcher. I would like to thank Kostas Kokkinos of Hellenic Ship Model for the review sample.