The Rocketbelt Caper: A True Tale of Invention, Obsession and Murder
by Paul Brown
‘We finished the rocketbelt, and from then on there was murder, kidnapping, and all kinds of other stuff’ – Brad Barker
When three friends set out on a quest to build a real-life Buck Rogers-style flying machine, their obsession with the Rocketbelt 2000, or ‘Pretty Bird’, shattered their friendship and set in motion an astonishing chain of events involving theft, deception, a bizarre kidnapping, a ten million dollar lawsuit and a horrifically brutal murder. This gripping book also reveals the secret history of the flying jetpack, involving Nazi scientists, James Bond, and the US Army. From sci-fi to reality, this is the true story of the amazing rocketbelt.
‘A delight to read. Genuinely stranger than fiction. Recommended.’ – Popular Science UK
‘A can’t-put-it-down murder mystery that shows how obsession and betrayal can lead people to commit dastardly deeds.’ – General Aviation News
‘Begins with a brief history of rocketbelts that’s probably the best ever in print.’ – Beam Jockey
‘The story has all the markings of a Hollywood blockbuster, and is a bizarrely unforgettable read.’ – The Crack
‘Reads like good movie material.’ – BBC Focus
‘There’s probably a Tarantino movie in this somewhere.’ – Fortean Times
‘This book is a must have.’ – Airwalker Society of Rocketbelt Enthusiasts
Read an Extract:
The book opens with a test flight of the Rocketbelt 2000 that ends in disaster. Read the first chapter online courtesy of Air & Space magazine.
Watch a Video:
Watch this ABC News report about the rocketbelt murder – it’s in two parts:
You can also watch RB2000 test flight footage, and a History Channel Rocketbelt feature.
You can find more Rocketbelt Caper news and videos here.
Tonto Books ISBN: 9780955218378
US Paperback Edition:
Superelastic ISBN: 9780956227003
NEW Kindle eBook Edition:
Available for download in the UK and US
More: Other eBook formats and signed paperbacks available on request via .
UK vs US Paperback Edition:
The 2007 UK and 2009 US editions have different covers and slightly revised text. The UK edition contains a full colour photo section and Building A Rocketbelt essay.
Photos: Click to view larger versions.
