"The Rockawho?" Rocketeer questions.

[CTF]

So... just when I thought I had my Hallowe'en costume all figured out (well, I had it narrowed down to a few choices, anyway! ) I discover that I've finally talked a certain young lady into dressing as Bettie Page for me (one of my only weaknesses is Miss Page ). Since she's going to the trouble to do that for Hallowe'en (and me ), I thought it would be cool to have a matching costume for the weekend: The Rocketeer seems fitting, don't it?



Yes, I've done a search for related threads (I know there are a few finheads on here, but I didn't want to annoy them with PMs... not just yet :lol). By doing so, I've come to see that there's really only two options for the helmet: the MR & a resin kit on MiM. Are there any other options that I'm missing? I'd prefer a resin kit to build (I'll post a thread in the JY, when/if the time comes).

And the jacket... as much as I love ol' finhead (I grew up in the Art Deco capital of the world, after all ) and as much as I want to go totally accurate with the thing, it's just not worth it for me. And, frankly, time just won't allow it at this point. This'll be a one time thing. Don't get me wrong, though--I won't be walking 'round in a PVC jacket with an oversized paper mache helmet--I do know that I'll have to spend some money on it. Are there any 'close-enough' jackets? Wasn't there one sold at Disneyland? Or am I thinking Indy here...? :unsure

Any help is appreciate, folks!

Thanks in advance!

And before anyone asks--yes, she'll make an awesome Bettie! She's got long black hair, the va va voom, and loves to strike poses in very little clothing. Bless her!

 

[Magnus Darcrider]

Abbeyshot have taken their Rocketeer jacket off their catalogue, but are still selling their cheaper Jet Jacket. Still pricey though.

I know there's a US eBay vendor that sells a cheaper Rocketeer jacket as well, do a search and it should turn up. Cannot vouch for the quality or honesty of the seller though.

Also, do a search for "Finhead Central", it's the old Rocketeer forum.

Good luck.

Be seeing you,

Magnus Darcrider

 

[Veedox]

All I can say is GOOD LUCK putting that together by Halloween. There are so many people who decide to be the Rocketeer for Halloween in September. Unless you find an all-in-one complete costume - jacket, pants, helmet, rocketpack, harness, gloves, gaunlets, boots, mauser.... it's just not going to happen.
Especially the rocketpack.

Yeah, you might be able to buy the helmet (MR), maybe the jacket off of ebay, and some pants... but really, the harness and the rocketpack are expensive and difficult to make.

To be realistic, if you want a reasonable costume of the Rocketeer, I'd plan for Halloween 2009.

Otherwise, it's a paper maché Rocketeer for 2008.

So... just when I thought I had my Hallowe'en costume all figured out (well, I had it narrowed down to a few choices, anyway! ) I discover that I've finally talked a certain young lady into dressing as Bettie Page for me (one of my only weaknesses is Miss Page ). Since she's going to the trouble to do that for Hallowe'en (and me ), I thought it would be cool to have a matching costume for the weekend: The Rocketeer seems fitting, don't it?



Yes, I've done a search for related threads (I know there are a few finheads on here, but I didn't want to annoy them with PMs... not just yet :lol). By doing so, I've come to see that there's really only two options for the helmet: the MR & a resin kit on MiM. Are there any other options that I'm missing? I'd prefer a resin kit to build (I'll post a thread in the JY, when/if the time comes).

And the jacket... as much as I love ol' finhead (I grew up in the Art Deco capital of the world, after all ) and as much as I want to go totally accurate with the thing, it's just not worth it for me. And, frankly, time just won't allow it at this point. This'll be a one time thing. Don't get me wrong, though--I won't be walking 'round in a PVC jacket with an oversized paper mache helmet--I do know that I'll have to spend some money on it. Are there any 'close-enough' jackets? Wasn't there one sold at Disneyland? Or am I thinking Indy here...? :unsure

Any help is appreciate, folks!

Thanks in advance!

And before anyone asks--yes, she'll make an awesome Bettie! She's got long black hair, the va va voom, and loves to strike poses in very little clothing. Bless her!

 

[ReturningSon]

Wested sells a nicely done rocketeer jacket!

 

[rocketeer25]

I'd go with the jacket that has just shown up on Ebay. I can't speak to the quality or accuracy, but if you're wanting quick and cheap and looks close... I'd try them.

 

[Larry Young]

And the jacket... as much as I love ol' finhead (I grew up in the Art Deco capital of the world, after all ) and as much as I want to go totally accurate with the thing, it's just not worth it for me. And, frankly, time just won't allow it at this point. This'll be a one time thing. Don't get me wrong, though--I won't be walking 'round in a PVC jacket with an oversized paper mache helmet--I do know that I'll have to spend some money on it. Are there any 'close-enough' jackets?

I just got this for riding around town:

http://www.southbeachleather.com/leather-rocketeer-jacket--movie-replica1.html

It's soft lambskin, and very comfortable. I got it in four days, even after they reminded me to check their sizing chart. I just called for an XL, but apparently in their sizings, that's professional-basketball player size.

 

[UFO]

wow! that cool! they have some nice stuff, cheap prices. have you got any "real" pics of your coat?

 

[CTF]

I said I wasn't going to be accurate... all I need for a recognizable Rocketeer is the bucket, the jacket and the rocket. And the pack doesn't even need to be accurate... I'll say it once again: I'm not going accurate. I'll just wear leather gloves--no gauntlets. I've already found a pair of vintage pants that are almost an exact match. Boots? Well, the MC ones look okay for a great price (I've heard they're a bit too short...?). A Mauser? Got one already. A Bettie? Got one of 'em, too.

To anyone who's bought the MiM helmet kit--what's the quality like? I've heard they take some time to deliver...? D'oh! Should've got that MR bucket when they were selling 'em dirt cheap.

Thanks for the info on the jackets, guys. I'd looked on eBay and found thoses... was hoping there were some other options, though. But the SBL jacket looks okay (for a great price and quick delivery).

It's down to three costumes for that weekend... this is coming in second. Will probably post another thread for the other.

Thanks again!

All I can say is GOOD LUCK putting that together by Halloween. There are so many people who decide to be the Rocketeer for Halloween in September. Unless you find an all-in-one complete costume - jacket, pants, helmet, rocketpack, harness, gloves, gaunlets, boots, mauser.... it's just not going to happen.
Especially the rocketpack.

Yeah, you might be able to buy the helmet (MR), maybe the jacket off of ebay, and some pants... but really, the harness and the rocketpack are expensive and difficult to make.

To be realistic, if you want a reasonable costume of the Rocketeer, I'd plan for Halloween 2009.

Otherwise, it's a paper maché Rocketeer for 2008.

 

[Larry Young]

wow! that cool! they have some nice stuff, cheap prices. have you got any "real" pics of your coat?

Heh. All I could get right away was this:

...which isn't exactly up to blind-man standards, much less those of the RPF. But I can get the missus to do a survey of it this weekend, if you like.

 

[Raffles]

I've had several items from SBL over the years. Good quality. No need to worry about losing buttons or pulling stitching.

 

[dualedge]

To anyone who's bought the MiM helmet kit--what's the quality like? I've heard they take some time to deliver...? D'oh! Should've got that MR bucket when they were selling 'em dirt cheap.

I think your best bet is the MiM helmet... if it's not the only choice due to your time constraints.

It's reasonably priced at $200 in my opinion. You may find a cheaper but far, far crappier version on ebay but it's really just not worth it.

If you're not worried about accuracy, the MiM kit can be finished really quickly and if you're so inclined, you could even go back and re-finish it to make it VERY accurate. Most aren't remotely as obsessive about them as I can be of course :angel ...

Aside from all of that, the helmets are excellent castings. It's also a one-piece casting so you don't have to attach the fin yourself. For a super-quick finish job, all you'll have to do is carve off the excess resin and smooth it down, then slap a coat of gold paint on it, shape the eyes and stick 'em in.

I've finished about a half dozen or so of those helmets. They're very nice - it's the one I always recommend to folks even over the MR helmet which sacrifices a heck of a lot of accuracy for being able to have the helmet made of metal.

 

[Hedjii72]

There's always this:



Seriously, though, I wouldn't feel bad about missing out on the MR version for your costume. As a collectible, it's terrific, but I wouldn't want to wear it for long as it is quite heavy. I would imagine the MIM fiberglass version would be more comfortable.

 

[rollerboi]

You absolutely MUST post pictures of the costume!

Oh, and i guess you could start another thread for the rocketeer thing or whatever.

 

[CTF]

Thanks for the advice, guys! dualedge, I was gonna PM you sooner or later... so thanks for jumping in!

You absolutely MUST post pictures of the costume!

Oh, and i guess you could start another thread for the rocketeer thing or whatever.

Yeah, the Bettie is already getting loads of attention. And a friend wants to do a Marilyn to go with it. Who am I to say no?

 

[CTF]

So, I've been told that I'm not allowed to wear a helmet this Hallowe'en... :lol That means no Rocketeer. But I'd like to do one for Art Deco Weekend in my hometown next year--imagine the faces!

I think your best bet is the MiM helmet... if it's not the only choice due to your time constraints.

How long do you normally have to wait for the MiM kit?

 

[dualedge]

So, I've been told that I'm not allowed to wear a helmet this Hallowe'en... :lol That means no Rocketeer. But I'd like to do one for Art Deco Weekend in my hometown next year--imagine the faces!

How long do you normally have to wait for the MiM kit?

Most of the ones I've gotten have been purchased by other folks and just sent to me. I've always gotten them fairly quickly like within a week or two of them being ordered. I'm waiting on one now that was ordered maybe a week and a half ago. I'm hoping it'll get here soon but it's also possible if they didn't have any on hand that the guys that make them will have to cast one and ship it. I don't recall them ever taking longer than a few weeks at most but that's certainly never a guarantee. I've heard about problems ordering through MiM in the past though I haven't experienced it myself... yet (and hopefully I didn't just jinx myself by saying that).

If you have any questions or anything, feel free to ask. The part most folks are most gunshy about are the eye lenses but it's not really very hard to do and I'll be glad to fill you in on my suggestions of how to do it if you need or want any advice.

 

[Treadwell]

You could just carry the helmet.

 

[Hermes]

That´d be my suggestion as well. The Rocketeer Suit works well without the helmet ON too. Carrying it, though rather cumbersome at times, is not half as cumbersome, for instance, as those suits where you´re being fake-carried in a cage or have a Speeder bike strapped to your shoulders.

 

[CTF]

Hmm... just waiting on a reply from MiM. Will probably get one of the kits.

Really want an MR, though. Oh well.

 

[dualedge]

Hmm... just waiting on a reply from MiM. Will probably get one of the kits.

Really want an MR, though. Oh well.

If it makes you feel any better (and I only offer these criticisms in hopes to make you feel better about getting the MiM version), IMHO, the only thing the MR helmet has going for it is the nice liner. It's the most accurate liner that has been made. Even that's not perfect but definitely the most accurate so far.

Not to mention, Some guys can't even get it on their head because of it's distorted shape. The way the weight is distributed, the back side of the helmet is much heavier than the front because of the fin. It makes it very unbalanced on your head if you intend it for costuming. Not to mention it's just downright HEAVY.

I like it okay for what it is, mind you, but accuracy wise, it's a mess. I think most everyone was disappointed that it didn't come out better, particularly considering MR had access to an original hero for reference. The manufacturing process also just meant eyeballing it which is why every single detail about it is off.