The rocket pack collective thread

[Maets]

You need a directional control helmet for inflight control.


Can be a bit of a strain on the neck, but well worth it.

[maduncle]

You need a directional control helmet for inflight control.


Can be a bit of a strain on the neck, but well worth it.

Oh - I thought the fin on the top was for slicing through powerlines.

[Ambermile]

Guys - are you all aware that one can aquire Clansman Radio frames on the Bay for around £15-£20 delivered?

Just a thought is all...


Arthur

[The Iron Tailor]

Been away on the frontier for a while, but I agree with the idea that wings are definitely a good way to control your rocket pack!  So here is my set of daVinci inspired wings:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25191974@N02/6723369699/#in/photostream

But, of course, without the rocket pack, how can you fly back up to your airship?



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25191974@N02/6723372017/#in/photostream

Commander Harrington, Her Majesty's Aerial Marines (retired).

Note that the wings fold for ease in ground combat, but quickly deploy to a full 5-1/2 foot wingspan.

[KABAR2]

Iron Tailor,

Interesting design on the wings.... I am guessing you wing warp to make your turns....

[The Iron Tailor]

Iron Tailor,

Interesting design on the wings.... I am guessing you wing warp to make your turns....

My ground crew assures me that I'm plenty warped, even when I'm not flying!

Flight control is almost entirely by body position, in gliding mode.  That, and the limited payload restricts armaments to the small incendiary bombs you can see on the shoulder straps.

Control during rocket operation is limited to praying that you will go in the general direction of "up."  As you can see, there are no fuel tanks on the rocket, as it is considered a last-chance escape mode, and is fueled by a single charge on unstable nitrate of glycerol.  The limited success rate of the rocket explains why the Aerial Marines fight so fiercely on the ground!

[Maets]

Just did an art show in Florida last weekend.  Lots of interest in the rocket packs, especially with the kids.

Two brothers (about 6 and 4) came in to the booth with their parents and were looking at the rocket packs.  They wanted to know if they really worked, so I helped the 6 year old put one on.  I handed him the control and told him to squeeze.  Standing behind him I lifted him from under the arm pits several feet in the air.  Everyone got a laugh and the 4 year old indicated he wanted to try it on.  I helped him into the rocket pack (number 7 in the Rocket Pack Collective) and then handed him the control. He started squeezing the control, but I figured the joke was over and did nothing at first, but he kept squeezing the control.  Noting his frustration I grabbed him under the arms and lifted him quickly into the air.  I was rewarded with a giant smile.

If they gave kids the money, I would be rich.

[maduncle]

Lovely story Maets, perhaps we could rig a bungy cord to a rocket pack as a kids ride!