Slappie 9 #1 June 9, 2006 Not this guy! Prepare for Liftoff! QuoteThere is no subtle way to say this: Brian Walker plans to shoot himself nearly 20 miles into the air aboard a homemade rocket launched from what could be the world’s largest crossbow. (Seriously.) This isn’t Walker’s first outlandish invention. He’s responsible for the “light chaser” whirly toy, a 300-gallon water-balloon launcher (for putting out forest fires – still in prototype), and Taser gloves (featured in “Garage Geniuses Go Prime Time,” issue 14.03). But Project RUSH – for “rapid up superhigh” – is hands down his most preposterously dangerous effort. “I missed out on the opportunity to be the first private citizen to fly to the edge of space in a private rocket, so I decided to do something even more fun,” Walker says. Walker’s idea of fun? Stretch a carbon-fiber bowstring 24 feet along a rail, fire up a jet turbine with 1,350 pounds of thrust, hit a trigger, and pull 10 gs as his craft, modeled on spaceships from Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, shoots to the stratosphere. He’ll plummet back to Earth using hydrogen peroxide rockets (the propulsion system used in 1950s jet packs) to slow his descent. Don’t worry about Walker – he’ll be wearing a $15,000 surplus Russian space suit for protection. “I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” Walker hopes to launch this fall, unless the FAA says no. But first he’ll test the rig with a giant fiberglass arrow, just to, you know, make sure it’s safe. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #2 June 9, 2006 Quotemodeled on spaceships from Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, Because those models are really aerodynamic Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #3 June 9, 2006 Quote “I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” OH HELL NO! A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #4 June 9, 2006 Quote Quote “I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” OH HELL NO! not enough emphasis... OH HELL NO!!!!! I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #5 June 9, 2006 C'mon you all know you wanna try it just think of the jump tickets you'll save. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,089 #6 June 9, 2006 Quote“I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” QuoteOH HELL NO!Interesting. My first reaction was "cool!" Of course, I'd reserve the right not to actually do it Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davedlg 0 #7 June 9, 2006 Quote Quote “I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” OH HELL NO! There was a video posted not long ago of someone being shot into the air on a slingshot with a BASE rig on. I searched, but I think it is in the period of time that the posts aren't indexed for searching right now. Maybe someone can find it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #8 June 9, 2006 QuoteQuote“I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” QuoteOH HELL NO!Interesting. My first reaction was "cool!" Of course, I'd reserve the right not to actually do it Wendy W. yeah, it'll be cool to WATCH... I wonder if the guy has contacted BRS to outfit the thing w/ a life-saving parachute should it falter. I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #9 June 9, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuote“I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” QuoteOH HELL NO!Interesting. My first reaction was "cool!" Of course, I'd reserve the right not to actually do it Wendy W. yeah, it'll be cool to WATCH... I wonder if the guy has contacted BRS to outfit the thing w/ a life-saving parachute should it falter. I doubt he has... I doubt he has even really thought the whole thing thru all the way. A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #10 June 9, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote“I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” QuoteOH HELL NO!Interesting. My first reaction was "cool!" Of course, I'd reserve the right not to actually do it Wendy W. yeah, it'll be cool to WATCH... I wonder if the guy has contacted BRS to outfit the thing w/ a life-saving parachute should it falter. I doubt he has... I doubt he has even really thought the whole thing thru all the way. kinda like those redneck famous last words... "hey y'all, watch this..." I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #11 June 9, 2006 Needs to attach a camera so we can get a pilots POV. Also get a cmaera on his face too.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #12 June 9, 2006 I think being fired up into the air by giant crossbow (with my rig on) would be awesome!!! My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #13 June 9, 2006 Yeah until you hit 10 g's and everything just falls apart at 50 feet... A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 3 #14 June 9, 2006 seems totally reasonable to me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #15 June 9, 2006 Yeah, just wear a bunch of padding... the bounce shouldnt hurt too much. A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unformed 0 #16 June 9, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuote“I can see a scenario where giant crossbows would accelerate skydivers upward,” he says, “creating a new kind of skydiving.” QuoteOH HELL NO!Interesting. My first reaction was "cool!" Of course, I'd reserve the right not to actually do it Wendy W. yeah, it'll be cool to WATCH... I wonder if the guy has contacted BRS to outfit the thing w/ a life-saving parachute should it falter. I doubt he has... I doubt he has even really thought the whole thing thru all the way. kinda like those redneck famous last words... "hey y'all, watch this..." Or his friends last words ... "Man he just didn't do it right."This ad space for sale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malta_Dog 0 #17 June 9, 2006 What could possibly go wrong?? Too bad almost every Luftwaffe test pilot died during their first test flight of the Bachem Natter, their 'experience' could have been useful to him All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stylinmike1 0 #18 June 10, 2006 (Coming out of lurk mode) I think a 10G uncontrolled/flat spin is a foregone conclusion. Do you nominate this jacka## for the Darwin Awards before or after he actually tries it? stylinmike (>O]-< Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #19 June 10, 2006 QuoteBut Project RUSH – for “rapid up superhigh” – is ha... Rapid up. Super-high. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petew2000 0 #20 June 10, 2006 I cant pass this one up. Thats too cool. Good luck man!! I wish I could shoot you off the back of my pick up truck. Actually thinking about it... You could rent that truck out at a dropzone. hit the boogies. retire in style. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #21 June 10, 2006 QuoteI think being fired up into the air by giant crossbow (with my rig on) would be awesome!!! Physics isn't really your strong point is itYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #22 June 10, 2006 Quoteseems totally reasonable to me The next world record. 500 of the things aimed so you're fired right into your slot. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #23 June 10, 2006 I just can't help thinking of our friend Wile E. Coyote right now. A true pioneer in many ways, a certified super-genius. But the giant crossbows and catapults just never seemed to work out too well. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shaiziel 0 #24 June 10, 2006 Perhaps someone needs to go about doing a trebuchet launch. I think if it was designed for more vertical than horizontal propulsion, it could be reasonable. Now that I think of it.... has anyone been launched by a trebuchet?---------------------------------------- 6.8% - Almost there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #25 June 10, 2006 QuotePerhaps someone needs to go about doing a trebuchet launch. I think if it was designed for more vertical than horizontal propulsion, it could be reasonable. Now that I think of it.... has anyone been launched by a trebuchet? Yup a couple of years ago it was a bit of a sport, until a few people were POUNDED into the ground Dickheads I LOVE DARWIN[/RED]You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites