Rocketeer Cirrus X-3 Rocket Pack Build
- Thread starter QCWolf
- Start date
Thank you so much! You absolutely should build one. With all of the amazing models available now, it's fairly easy to get your hands on one. If I had it to do over again, I would probably choose the precision of a 3D printed model as a base. However, it has been immensely satisfying making a bunch of random parts fit together to make a thing.
I've made some progress on the harness. I'm getting really close to being finished with it and I'm pretty happy with how it has turned out so far. This whole thing has been function over form and although it is not screen accurate, it works for my set up. To review, I modified a marching band drum brace and sandwiched it in between two pieces of leather.
I punched a BUNCH of holes to allow for needle and thread to pass through two thick layers of leather and began the long process of stitching the front and back halves together. To be clear, I've never done any leather work before so I'm sort of feeling my way along with the help of YouTube videos.
I punched a BUNCH of holes to allow for needle and thread to pass through two thick layers of leather and began the long process of stitching the front and back halves together. To be clear, I've never done any leather work before so I'm sort of feeling my way along with the help of YouTube videos.
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Good question! They will be partially covered once I make and install the back padding. The upper shoulder parts art not visible when the harness is worn but I'm going to chemically treat them with Aluminum Black solution so they are even less noticible.
Just a suggestion to save that expensive leather jacket. Cover the aluminum with chamois. Cheap enough at Walmart automotive. From your avatar, I see you are into aviation. Early goggles and helmets used chamois as anti chaff material. Would look retro on your harness.Contact cement could be used to hold in place. Most blackening solutions will wear off and I have never gotten good results from them.
Either way it is going to look great.
Either way it is going to look great.
That's a great idea! I happen to have some lying around and I'll do just that. I thought about covering them somehow but never thought of using chamois. Thank you! I love this community!
If you want a more finished look on your leather edges, burnish them. Burnish tools are a wood spool thing with a shaft to work on your Dremel or rotary tool. Inexpensive and will give a nice rounded edge. You can also use a fluid or wax to unify the edge. Plenty of info on the interweb.
I have one and I've been using it! It works pretty well.
I have attached the buckles. I was originally going to make them adjustable, but decided that was more snaps and rivets that I didn't want to install. I went with form over function in this case. There are already too many rivets on this thing and I didn't want to add any more. Taking into account the fact that I'll be wearing a thick leather jacket underneath, this thing fits like a glove!
Fantastic and I like the buckles very much...As Valor mentioned, the pack will be a challenge (careful when you turn around) But I think that, with the steel frame, the difficulties will be reduced at a maximum.
Thanks everyone! I'm working on the inner pad portion now and once that's done, I'll strap up the whole thing and see what happens. Fingers crossed.
I made the inner padding out of suede. I figured, "Why not?" I think it turned out pretty good. It's a little hinky here and there but for me, it's perfectly imperfect. I plan on attaching it with snaps. I'm currently figuring out how to cover the aluminum straps pieces with chamois. More updates soon.
I use clear Gorilla glue to attach chamois to my reproduction oxygen mask tabs on my P-series 1950's flight helmets. It is a jell and does not bleed through. Very strong hold. I would glue it on and trim it with a sharp eXacto knife. Slip something between the aluminum and leather to protect it when you cut it.
