The Jetpack thread

The Royal Navy just successfully tested out using one to jump between and board patrol boats. Its taped from a chopper and he basically cuts it off at one point, but Im not sure I expect any better from someone who would do this hahaha.

 

I'm going to predict that one is a dead end. Copying a comic book concept isn't a bad idea, generally, it it doesn't violate the laws of physics. But arm jets like palm repulsers, is a design for powered armor, not unassisted muscles. It also prevents you grabbing a rope or other hand manipulation. Far better to have vectored shoulder height exhaust nozzles, and it's not a complex system, just a U-joint.

 

One should chose the fictional character to copy carefully. Remember the movie "Rocket Man"; or better yet the Japanese character that was the inspiration for the aircraft shown in Post #13.

 

I still think an electric version of the Hiller platform would be best.
It was stable and easy to fly.

 

Ya, Im definitely not saying any of this is mature, its clearly very primitive and barely operational. This thread is just to track developments.

Current engines are about a specific thrust of 1.6-2.0, which is comparable to 1960s engines with afterburner engaged. They are horribly inefficient. In fact, they are less efficient than 1940s Soviet Thermojets driven by piston engines, which are about 1.3:1. So when I say horribly inefficient I mean that. They're abysmal right now.

As efficiency gets closer to 1.0 or better they will become somewhat useful, as they will be able to carry an additional 100+ lbs of fuel or cargo. Either greatly improving range or allowing them to be used for minor commercial or military work at shorter ranges.

 

Do I see a string on that M-02S? I thought that it had been retired to a museum?

 

This isn't a good forum for sarcasm, way too many members from a sarcastically challenged country.

 

Rolls developed lift fans with 16-1 Thrust to weight in the 50’s. But nobody needed them.

 

Yes, it does look like a string.

It is not in a museum; it was on display at OSH this summer and flew at least one time that I saw.

 

Mr.Zapata, the French inventor who failed to make a crossing about a week ago, has successfully crossed the channel with his jet board.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/04/europe/french-inventor-hoverboard-intl-scli/index.html

 

And again, military is paying 1.4 million to let someone play with his toy... Such a waste.

 

Well, they said the same thing about aircraft before WWI.

If he’s going to turn it into something feasible he is going to have to take it to trials, and the feedback from trials will improve the design.

 

I'm impressed !

 

Boarding bad guy boats via jet pack? Oh yeah, let’s give them some free skeet shooting practice... PULL!

 

Ya, definitely not very useful in a combat situation unless the alternative is crossing a minefield or something else even more unpleasant.

When it matures it may have a few advantages for boarding civil vessels. It can be launched by a much smaller vessel because the launching vessel does not need to be large enough able to carry a boat and a full boat crew.

And it can be used during heavy seas when using boats would be too risky.

 

People over complicate things.
You just need a catapult and a zorb.

 

AAAAHAHAHAHA

That would actually make a great life raft if it wasn't for the fact that any high winds would put like 20 Gs on the occupant as it rolled over the waves at high speed. I bet anything over 30mph would cause the person to black out lol.

 

Wear slippery pants and you stay level while it rotates around you.
I'd also want to tint the thing so the sun doesn't cook you inside.

 

I think Rocketman is a musical. You mean The Rocketeer.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102803/

And I agree. But he careful what your inspiration is.

 

One tiny pilot error = (splat)
need for a human sized bug scraper.