Rocketeer costume/ budget scratch-built rocketpack *UPDATE 99% DONE*

[JDM Ninja]

Hello all,
I am in the process of building my rocketeer costume. I have been doing a bunch of research as to other scratch builds, mine isnt going to be movie accurate by any means, but I hope it will look good enough for the halloween costume contests im going to attend.

Helmet: is a Acme kit I bought from Clint. I have it all sanded and lenses mostly fitted, just gotta thin out a little more from the eye area, then I will paint it. Im not going to weather it, like others do to finish it. Im going more of a "clean shiny" look, a) because I prefer the clean look and b) I lack the skills to weather it properly hah.

Jacket:
ebay South beach leather jacket. The color isnt accurate, but I actually prefer the darker leather over the movie tan, this jacket is awesome, I could wear it every day if I wanted to.

Rocketpack:
I am going to start on my pack this weekend, I am going to be stealing ideas from other scratch builds. My main cone pieces are going to be 5" crab floats.
I know they are the incorrect diameter (7.25") so I am scaling the pack down 30% to make it less bulky at bar costume contests, and for ease of construction.

I will update as my progress proceeds.

 

[DeathProof]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

From what I understood, the lighter tan of the jacket is just from old age - like if you look at the Disney replica costumes pictures, it looks a LOT lighter than what we received. I like the colour of the jacket we got and I think it's fairly accurate (minus our funny buttons). HAH!

I'm trying to find some used crab floats just to use the tops. Good luck with the build!

 

[DeathProof]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

Also...one thing i would HIGHLY recommend is that you get an insert for your helmet. They're not exactly the most comfortable. Valor, a member on here, makes a pretty snazzy one

 

[Doh2]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

Off to a nice start!

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

i bought 80% of the stuff I need today to start my rocketpack build, i will update with pics in the next 2 days.

 

[TheRocketeer]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

Can't wait to see the build, I use the same for a comic style jet pack last Halloween. The jacket looks much better than the one I got from the same place looks good so far, you defiantly want to pad the inside of the helmet and put a chin strap on, mine kept wanting to tilt backward when I was walking. Chin strap probably saved it from hitting the pavement many times

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Another Rocketeer build

so today i cut the plastic sheets I am going to wrap the crab floats in.

first I mocked up a stencil with some paper

then I cut it out and traced it onto the garage sale signs I am using, I flipped the stencil when I do the opposite rocket so It will be a mirror image

right now the glue is drying so I dont have any pics of the wrapped floats.

in the meantime I am working on a stencil for the cone to cover the crab float

 

[DeathProof]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

Looks good man!

I just picked up my floats today! I'll have to fill in the cracks, and sand them to their correct dimension, but I was curious about the 'cap' on the float as well

I'm going to take quick dry foam and mould it in. Should be fun!

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

Looks good man!

I just picked up my floats today! I'll have to fill in the cracks, and sand them to their correct dimension, but I was curious about the 'cap' on the float as well

I'm going to take quick dry foam and mould it in. Should be fun!

the cap method is probably easier than trying to mold it in.
just cut a piece of plastic in the shape of pacman, then fold it over and glue it on.

glue drying, made the vent squares a little too big, but ill fix that when I put in the vent louvres

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

Last update of the day. Got both crab floats wrapped, going to dowel them together tomorrow, and then start construction on the center piece

 

[IMIM2]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

what is crab floats?

Darn, I got the Rocketeer music stuck in my head now :facepalm.

Nicely build and genius! thumbsup

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

Crab floats are pieces of foam they use to mark crab/lobster traps, they are tethered to to the trap by rope, and float on the water. I got the idea from this build from 1991 Rocketeer Jetpack - Construction Details

 

[TheRocketeer]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

The rockets are turning out great so far. This is how my one turned out . Looks like it will be a good match to the movie prop once your done.

 

[HaNDiCaPZaCH]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

i nver would have thought to use the garage sal signs... very clever.. keep up the good work

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

So i havent worked on my rockets any more yet, been wanting to finish my helmet, I got it painted, just going to have my friend pic it up tomorrow to clear coat it at his body shop. the mouth isnt thinned out as much as it should be, but its the best I could do.

(the poor lighting doesnt do it justice)

mounted the lenses with masking tape just to see how it looks

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

decided to try on my costume (still need baggy khaki pants, using slacks in the meantime) now that I finished my helmet

and Doweled my rockets together, next will be to construct the centerpiece, im going to use a plastic cereal bowl, it wont be accurate, but it will look okay enough for halloween. I will probably try to heat up the bowl with a heat gun and try to shape it a little less circle-y with some heat proof gloves I have at work

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket

todays progress, built the center part, its not perfect yet, but its starting to look like a rocketeer rocket pack
Ive got plans to add smoke and lights to the engines, gonna pick up some of the items on friday to test it out, but my main concern is getting the rocket pack looking like a rocket pack first!

 

[DeathProof]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket (Update 9/25)

Looking awesome man!!! Always a good feeling trying on the outfit

And I love that you've done this with garage sale signs. Hah!

I'm dreading doing that center piece. I'm going to try to use pliable sheet metal and hope for the best.

Looking forward to Friday's update!

 

[JDM Ninja]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket (Update 9/25)

One last update for the day, main shell is done, now for detail bits

 

[CelticRuins]

Re: Rocketeer costume/scratch build rocket (Update 9/25)

The crab floats and garage signs are ingenious! I'm definitely watching this thread with interest!