Rocket Man

06.25.09 - Certainly a Disney fan favorite feature film — and one of mine, too! — is The Rocketeer (1991), which was based on master artist Dave Stevens' popular comic book and directed by Industrial Light & Magic veteran Joe Johnston. And certainly The Rocketeer costume, helmet and X-3 Jetpack are some of my favorite treasures in the Walt Disney Archives.

The outfit Bill Campbell wore as Cliff Secord and used for scenes where no stunt work was necessary. It contains no special lining or slits in the costume for a wire harness and is referred to as a "walk around" costume.

The X-3 Jetpack was built by Hughes Aircraft in the film, and Howard Hughes was played by Terry O'Quinn, who now can be seen on ABC's popular show Lost as John Locke. The X-3 Jetpack prop is one of the few "hero" close-up packs built for the film — many of the prop Jetpacks were made for stunt work and feature way fewer details. There is a "bullet hole" on the left side, which caused the Jetpack to leak fuel in the film.

We also have a complete Cliff Secord Rocketeer costume, consisting of jacket, gloves, pants and boots. Several Rocketeer costumes were made for the film — some were designed for stunt use and wire rig work for the flying sequences. Many of the Secord costumes were made with fireproof lining for use with the practical X-3 Jetpack which actually fired actual flames from the engines. The one we have is the one actor Bill Campbell wore as Cliff Secord and was used for scenes where no stunt work was necessary. It contains no special lining or slits in the costume for a wire harness, therefore it is referred to as a "walk around" costume. Our Rocketeer helmet is a hero close-up version complete with tinted lenses, interior lining and leather chinstrap.

For the next month or so, you can click here to browse the Walt Disney Archives (click the "Browse the Walt Disney Archives" button at the top of the page) and see images of these super-cool props; even better, you can head down to Anaheim for the D23 Expo from September 10-13 and check them out in person. See you there!



Rob Klein is an archivist in the Walt Disney Archives.