Flight Idle's Jetpack build

flightidle · Mar 14, 2017

This is my attempt at the WOF template ROTJ jetpack build. I finished my helmet in the fall of 2016, so onto the jetpack. Big thanks to Clonecollector and Jango72's threads for their pics of their build....it really helped me out.

I used mostly foamcore for the build, as well as some thick cardstock paper, 1/8 mdf board, and believe it or not....plastic FOR SALE signs that I picked up at the dollar store for....well....one dollar. The plastic signs are about 1/16'' and make for nice smooth bends without creasing unlike cardboard. The plastic signs also bond very well using super glue.

flightidle · Mar 14, 2017

I was having trouble getting the round cyclindrical shapes, so i bought a hole cutter for wood, and was able to custom cut discs of 1/8'' MDF wood to which i was able to wrap in the plastic signs. A little glazing spot putty and bondo to fill any seams.

I took an idea from Jango72's build and used a juice bottle lid and thread to build into the rocket piece for ease of storage and disassembly. I also was able to use a treaded rod to keep all the parts of the rocket straight and supported. The threaded rod fit the cylinder discs center holes perfectly.

I was having a hell of a time with the rocket top... just couldn't get the shape right. Had an idea, and being an aviation guy, went to a local hobby store and found the propeller spinner for an R/C plane that had the exact dimension of the rocket top. With a little bondo for where the propeller sits, the prop spinner makes a perfect rocket top which comes with an aluminium base.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm at the point of making the piano keys, and then waiting for warmer weather so I can Bondo outside. That stuff stinks too much to do in the house...the Mrs will kill me.

01Hawk · Mar 14, 2017

I love watching scratch builds like this. Great work!

WhateverItTakes · Mar 14, 2017

Damn, this looks fantastic. Congratulations man, keep it up!

Skyfire · Mar 15, 2017

Looks good, but don't go below the flightidle gate in flight, it overtemps the combustion chambers.

flightidle · Mar 29, 2017

01Hawk said:
I love watching scratch builds like this. Great work!

thanks 01Hawk!

- - - Updated - - -

WhateverItTakes said:
Damn, this looks fantastic. Congratulations man, keep it up!

Thanks WhateverItTakes!

- - - Updated - - -

Skyfire said:
Looks good, but don't go below the flightidle gate in flight, it overtemps the combustion chambers.

hehehe....maybe i'll hide a little "flight Idle" notch for the jetpack controls on the gauntlet!

Darth Voorhees · Mar 29, 2017

Lookin good man...love the propeller spinner worked excellent!

flightidle · Mar 29, 2017

Darth Voorhees said:
Lookin good man...love the propeller spinner worked excellent!

thanks Darth Voorhees! yes the spinner is actually really helpful. because there is an aluminum baseplate, I was able to open the center hole of it to accommodate a threaded rod which i'm using for alignment of the rocket, and keep it all together. I spun a nut to the baseplate to lock it down, then 2 small screws attach the spinner to the baseplate.

ChrisTTB · Apr 4, 2017

I was thinking of using an rc spinner for my pack but I don't have a local rc shop, don't suppose you know the make/model of the spinner you used so that I can buy the correct one off the net?

flightidle · Apr 4, 2017

ChrisTTB said:
I was thinking of using an rc spinner for my pack but I don't have a local rc shop, don't suppose you know the make/model of the spinner you used so that I can buy the correct one off the net?

I used the measurements based on the WOF template. found the nylon prop spinner with a 2" base that matched.

ChrisTTB · Apr 12, 2017

That's spot on, thanks for the info, my project had pretty much stalled due to this.
I would post a pic of my jetpack but can't work out how to post pictures anymore!
Found it

flightidle · Apr 14, 2017

looks great ChrisTTB! glad I could help!! did you use wood for the piano keys? I used balsa wood for mine as it's easy to carve and sand. I have found a lot of great materials to use for these builds at the local RC hobby store including different shapes of balsa wood, prop spinners and the humbrol paints. I actually used balsa wood on my helmet scratch build for the ear pieces and range finder.

ChrisTTB · Apr 27, 2017

Yh I used some strip wood for the piano keys, pine I think so quite soft buttook ages to cut them all!
We used to have a few RC shops here in bristol but all the ones I know of have shut.
I have to rely on craft stores and the net.
My spinner arrived a few days ago but I haven't got round to fitting it yet.
Still trying to find the right size cardboard cones or some other material for the rocket nozzles, tried picture mounting board but it just creased even though I dampened it.

flightidle · Apr 29, 2017

ChrisTTB said:
Still trying to find the right size cardboard cones or some other material for the rocket nozzles, tried picture mounting board but it just creased even though I dampened it.

I used small road pylons for my rocket nozzles. I just cut the top off to use the top 4 inches of the cone. It's great because there are no seams to cover up. bought a couple at the Dollar Store (Canada), for....well.....2 dollars total. Bam!!!! Used some hot glue to fasten the cone tops to the rocket balls

ChrisTTB · Apr 29, 2017

I've been looking for some with the correct angle, the ones here in the UK seem to be either too tall or too short making the angle wrong. I will find something appropriate eventually. Probably being to picky, the joys of being an engineer :rolleyes

flightidle · Apr 29, 2017

ChrisTTB said:
I've been looking for some with the correct angle, the ones here in the UK seem to be either too tall or too short making the angle wrong. I will find something appropriate eventually. Probably being to picky, the joys of being an engineer :rolleyes

I know your pain. I searched high and low. Somewhere in these forums someone suggested an air freshener that was a perfect match....when I looked for them here, the manufacturer changed the design to a weird foofy thing. grrrrr. That's when I went with the pylon.

I too am an engineer..(aircraft)...so I totally know what you mean. It's a feeling like .... everything needs to be perfect....I can see all the flaws....the job is never finished. hahaha....
After I built my helmet, I've come to realize what paint and primer can hide....and that if a scratch shows through, it just looks like battle damage or well used. but still......hehehe

ChrisTTB · Apr 30, 2017

Yh too true, there are parts on the helmet that i built that I know aren't 100% correct but over all it looks awesome, and people can't believe it's made of cardboard!
Just hope my jetpack comes out as well once it's painted.
Next will be the gauntlets, more fun sourcing things that look right / fit.

bojaGun · Apr 30, 2017

great idea and good work.
thanks!

Gregory · Apr 30, 2017

ChrisTTB said:
I've been looking for some with the correct angle, the ones here in the UK seem to be either too tall or too short making the angle wrong. I will find something appropriate eventually. Probably being to picky, the joys of being an engineer :rolleyes

Try looking at plastic automotive fluid funnels, I found some small long ones that were pretty close, easy to cut etc. for my first set of thruster nozzles.

ChrisTTB · May 7, 2017

Only funnel I could find with remotely the correct shape is one that I would have to import from the US and would cost me approximately £30 for 2!
Probably go to a kids toy store and see if mini traffic cones are usable.
Good idea though Gregory, you seem to have a lot more choice in the US than here in England!

Flight Idle's Jetpack build

Hunter

Hunter

Active Hunter

Jr Hunter

Active Hunter

Hunter

Well-Known Hunter

Hunter

New Hunter

Hunter

New Hunter

Hunter

New Hunter

Hunter

New Hunter

Hunter

New Hunter

Active Hunter

Active Hunter

New Hunter

Similar threads

Similar threads