DIY Jetpack Project: Build Your Own Prop Jetpack

Hey there! Ready to take your filmmaking or cosplay game to the next level? This comprehensive guide outlines detailed plans for constructing your very own DIY jetpack prop. This project is designed to be flexible and adaptable, so feel free to tweak the design and materials to suit your specific needs and creative vision. We encourage you to experiment and improve upon the original design – and if you come up with something particularly innovative, let us know! We might even feature your creation in our monthly podcast.

For more filmmaking tips and inspiration, be sure to visit our website at Indy Mogul. You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes for regular updates and behind-the-scenes content. And to see this jetpack in action, check out the video below!

Shopping List: What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the necessary materials. Here’s a comprehensive shopping list to get you started:

1. Old Rigid Frame Backpack: A sturdy backpack frame will serve as the foundation for your jetpack. Check flea markets, thrift stores, or garage sales to find one at a bargain. I found mine for just $7!
2. Fire Extinguisher: (Optional) If you want to create a realistic blast-off effect with smoke, you’ll need a small fire extinguisher. Make sure it’s in good working condition.
3. Green Screen: (Optional) A green screen is essential for creating the illusion of flight in post-production. You can find affordable green screens online or even make your own. Check out some tutorials for great insights.
4. Spray Paint: Choose a variety of colors to achieve the desired look. I recommend flat black, chrome, and primer gray for a realistic, aged metal appearance.
5. Epoxy: Epoxy is a strong adhesive that will be used to bond various components of the jetpack together.
6. Nuts and Bolts: A selection of nuts and bolts will be needed to securely fasten parts to the backpack frame. Raid your junk drawer or visit a hardware store.
7. F.A.A. Flight Permission: (Just Kidding!) While this jetpack is just a prop, remember to always prioritize safety when working with any project.
8. 45-Degree PVC Joint (1/2” Diameter): (Optional, for blast-off smoke) This will be part of the exhaust system.
9. 90-Degree PVC Joint (1 ¼” Diameter): (Optional, for blast-off smoke) This will also be part of the exhaust system.
10. ½” Rubber Grommet: (Optional, for blast-off smoke) This helps connect the exhaust to the fire extinguisher.
11. A Bunch of Plastic Junk!: This is where your creativity comes into play! Visit junk stores, garage sales, or recycling centers and look for interesting plastic pieces that could be repurposed as jetpack components. Think creatively and don’t be afraid to experiment.

Here’s what I used…

• 2 Cardboard Tubes
• A Plastic Paper Tray (that sits on a desk)
• A Plastic Paper Tray (that mounts to the wall)
• An old Cartridge from a slide projector
• 2 Plastic File Dividers (kind of look like bookends)
• 2 Plastic Hide-a-Key Compartments with Hinged Tops (I mounted the other junk to this so I could lift up the shell and have access to the fire extinguisher.)
• Some Wire Mesh I got at an art store.
• A “Danger Flammable Liquid” Sticker I got from my friend who works at my local hardware store. (Thanks Elizabeth!)

Building the Prop: Step-by-Step Instructions

Don’t worry, building this prop jetpack isn’t rocket science, even though it looks like it! These plans are based on how I assembled mine, but keep in mind that your available materials might vary. Feel free to adapt the design to your own supplies and preferences. The ultimate goal is to create a cool-looking jetpack that enhances your film or costume.

The first step I took was modifying the backpack frame. I wanted a more streamlined look, so I used a rotary tool to cut off excess pieces.

Next, I attached the hide-a-key boxes to the top of the frame using screws. Make sure to leave enough space between them to accommodate the fire extinguisher. The hinged tops on these boxes provide easy access to the extinguisher.

After that, I took the tabletop paper tray, flipped it upside down, and mounted it to the hinged boxes. This creates a convenient way to conceal the internal components of the jetpack.

Then, I attached the wall-mountable paper tray and the slide cartridge to the first paper tray. The placement of these parts was largely based on aesthetics. I simply experimented with different arrangements until I found a configuration that looked the most visually appealing. I then secured the components using a combination of drilling holes and applying epoxy.

Next up are the wings! The plastic file dividers I found were perfect for this purpose. As soon as I saw them, I knew they would make excellent jetpack wings. All I had to do was epoxy them to the sides of the backpack frame.

With the main structure complete, it’s time to apply paint. I considered giving the entire jetpack a futuristic, space-age look with a coat of flat white paint. However, I ultimately decided to go with an aged metal finish. I applied a coat of primer, followed by a coat of chrome, and then a patchy coat of flat black to tone down the shine. The painting process is shown in a time-lapse during Episode #1 of our series.

I then added two cardboard tubes, which I painted black, to the inside of the jetpack. These serve as fuel tanks and also help to conceal the fire extinguisher when the cover is closed.

Lastly, I added some steel mesh (leftover from a previous project) to the frame using a hot glue gun. This added texture and detail to the overall design.

The Fire Extinguisher: Creating the Blast-Off Effect

As you may have seen in the video, my initial exhaust system design didn’t quite work as planned. Here are the details on the simplified setup that I ultimately used. It consists of two PVC joints and a rubber grommet.

Using a rotary tool, cut a hole at the back of the larger PVC joint, making it just big enough to fit one end of the smaller PVC joint into. Epoxy the two joints together to create your exhaust system. Lastly, epoxy the rubber grommet to the other end of the small joint. This should fit snugly onto the fire extinguisher nozzle. You may need to trim it with your rotary tool to fit your specific brand of fire extinguisher.

Once your fire extinguisher is taped into place, you’ll need a way to trigger it. After searching through old NASA blueprints (just kidding!), I came up with this ingenious trigger system… a long string! Attach a string to the trigger mechanism of the extinguisher, allowing you to activate it remotely while wearing the jetpack.

The Magic of Flight: Green Screen and Special Effects

I won’t delve into the specifics of using a green screen, chroma key, or keyframes, as your editing program may differ from mine, and there are already numerous tutorials available online. However, here are some helpful links to get you started:

Surprisingly, I didn’t use Motion or After Effects in the jetpack episode. The rocket effects I used were from Detonation Films. They offer a wealth of free stock footage of explosions, rocket exhaust, and other cool effects, as well as tutorials on how to use them with your NLE (Non-Linear Editing) software.

The only other program I used was Photoshop to create a miniature version of myself blasting off the ground and to edit some of the backgrounds. A key aspect of completing this effect is using Final Cut Pro (or Premiere) to animate elements you have edited in Photoshop. Here is a good tutorial on animating using FCP and Photoshop.

Good luck with your jetpack project! Feel free to post any questions or comments below. I’m here to help.

-Erik