How was the Jet pack invented?

Answer 1

Germany had recently developed a 'grasshopper' for safely spanning minefields, and the design was handed over to Bell Aerosystems at the close of WW2.

The Bell Aerospace-developed rocket belt is by far the best known, starring in "Thunderball" with James Bond flying it to escape the enemy and the phenomenal appearance at the 1984 LA Olympics + many breath-taking appearances before & since it continues to be a real crowd-pleaser. But it does have one huge drawback, its' 20-25 second flight duration.

During the 1960's, Bell began design studies with Williams for an air breathing Jet powered version that would provide 10 minutes flight time! After about 4 years design, development and testing, (much of which was funded by the military) in 1969 Robert Courter piloted the Williams powered belt in glorious free flight for several minutes.

The basic layout of the Williams unit is air intake facing down with mixed (hot & cold) exhaust efflux fed to vector nozzles either side of the pilot's shoulders. These nozzles & throttle are manipulated by hand and arm movements. This coupled with weight shift provides stable flight control, a similar system as was developed for the rocket belt. The fuel tanks are transparent and mounted either side of the engine and an emergency rocket deployed parachute is included.

Birdman Swiss Yues Rossy flew into the record books on 28th September 2008.

He flew across the English Channel.

The Swiss Jet propelled man and four jet engines on the single 8ft wing, allowed him to prove what he has always believed - that with a little help from technology, there's no reason why man shouldn't fly like a bird.

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