Laughing Squid - Latest Comments in 1966 Jetpack Trip Around Disneyland

Re: 1966 Jetpack Trip Around Disneyland

Sezer B — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:55:12 -0000

Looks like fun. I need to get myself one of these.

Re: 1966 Jetpack Trip Around Disneyland

Peter — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:03:49 -0000

What a great footage. Pilot Bill Suitor (the same as piloted the latest Thunderbolt Aerosystems rocketbelt "Thunderpack" a few weeks ago, made more than 1200 flights, and flew 4 different types of rocketbelts. The Bell types could fly for 21,5 seconds. The Bell Jet flying belt, with a williams motor was not whisper quiet, but even louder than a rocketbelt. It had not the mass of a VW beetle, but a bit more bulky than a rocketbelt. It ran on Kerosene. They only made one, now still in a hangar at Williams (not used for decades), and they are absolute not sold. If you want to know more on rocket- and jetbelts, visit my webpage: www.rocketbelt.nl. You will be amazed.

Re: 1966 Jetpack Trip Around Disneyland

David Calkins — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:16:39 -0000

The mid point of the video with the overview of space mountain is an insert shot by a helicopter - it wasn't actually from the guy in the suit. The Bell Rocket Belt shown had a flight time of 30 seconds on a good day. It was powered by super pure hydrogen peroxide, and was loud as hell (like, 120 dB loud). Totally impractical for anything. A few companies have tried to improve the design, but the energy density of H2O2 will never make it practical as a rocket fuel.

The Williams company came out with an actual jet pack in the 60's which was whisper quiet, had a great flight time, but was almost as big (in volume, not mass) as a VW bug. Ran on kerosene I think. The army ordered like 100 of them and stuffed 'em in Fulda waiting for a war that never transpired (the idea being very Rocketeer-esque mobility). They're still out there - myabe sold for scrap in the 90's. The actual plans are very secret, and very cool. The wikipedia entry of the Willams' packs really doesn't cover them.