During the first public display at Fort Eustis, Virginia, on 8 June 1961, Graham lifted himself to around 4.5 metres, dangled around for 15 seconds and landed, offering a salute. Moore hit upon using hydrogen peroxide, a compound commonly used as bleach, as a fuel. Two cylinders were attached to a fibreglass frame with another of nitrogen gas. Forced on to a catalyst, this mix explodes into superheated steam, shooting through twin nozzles at 700C. We actually had to buy pop to make this craft! We used it to make some Mountain Dew cupcakes for my brother, but we probably could have asked for someone to save us a couple. Do what works for you! Next, we warmed up the cool touch hot glue gun and securely glued the bottles together, side by side.

We cut up some orange and red tissue paper into “flames” and Ella added some glue just inside the openings of both bottles. However, I insisted on putting the tissue paper in just because the paper is so thin, I didn’t want to risk Ella getting a burn. It was a big hit with the public. Graham piloted the device all around the world to great acclaim, but after landing on his head from 6.7 metres at a demo in Florida, he retired. The cool-down was originally announced as 10 seconds by Badimo, however when the update came, the cooldown is 15 seconds. From the makers of Fruit Ninja comes this insane, high flying endless runner that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Once the silver spray paint had dried, we taped off the bottom of the soda bottles (where there was a natural indentation already) and spray painted them gold! We allowed the paint to fully dry before removing the tape.

Materials to Make a Homemade Jet Pack

Graham handed over the reins to his friend Bill Suitor, who proved adept at flying the machine. Again, the public loved it, but the US army, who was paying for it, was disappointed. I love making homemade toys for the kids, and it’s even better when the kids get involved – like when we made our Spring Waldorf Hand Kites. Overall, I’d say this was a very successful homemade toy or costume accessory, and a wonderful experience for Ella in creating and giving something special to one of her friends. Ella wore a small mask, the kind you wear if you have a cough and are visiting a hospital, and we did this outside. Again, if you’re not comfortable you can do this step yourself. Undaunted, Moore flew the first flights himself, but in February 1961 the belt swerved like an unattended firehose, snapped its tether and Moore fell 2.5 metres, breaking his kneecap.

You’d have people falling out of the air like unwanted Santa Clauses. I’ve had several close shaves myself and almost sliced myself up like a big soft slice of silky cheese. Could you imagine every idiot who could afford one flying about?”

Criminals tend to fly away when they are on low health, so use a gun to shoot them to lower health so they have to eat a donut to keep alive. We probably could have layered a different type of paint over top of the spray paint, since the plastic was covered, but we had silver and gold on hand and liked the effect that gave.