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The Rocketeer's (Bill Campbell) practical, flame-firing SFX Cirrus X3 rocket-pack from Joe Johnston's The Rocketeer. This pack was one of several styles of rocket-pack constructed to portray Cliff Secord's dramatic flight sequences in the film. As the namesake of the film and its most visually retro-futuristic aesthetic element, the Cirrus X3 rocket-pack was central to the production's storytelling and visual identity. It is believed to be the only flame-firing SFX pack made for the film.
Designed by director and concept artist Joe Johnston and built under the direction of special effects supervisors Ed Eyth and Michael Possert, Jr., this pack was engineered to deliver real propulsion flames on camera for key stunt shots in which the Rocketeer is seen igniting or taking flight. Unlike the static "hero" versions used for dialogue scenes or close-ups, this SFX version featured a fully-integrated ignition system fueled by alcohol-based liquids, producing clean, orange-colored bursts of flame through dual thrusters. Each nozzle received fuel from three dedicated input lines and used spark plugs to ignite the mixture. The result was a precisely controlled and camera-safe flame effect that brought the character's rocket-powered ascents to life in a practical, tangible way.
The pack is fabricated primarily from metal, reinforced with welded steel on the thruster covers and interior frame, and finished with fiberglass and resin elements painted silver and black to replicate the appearance of cast aluminum. Its outer panels were designed to be removable for serviceability and quick access to the internal electronics and pyrotechnic systems. While the original flame mechanisms and wiring are still present, their functionality remains untested. The pack bears a Walt Disney Studios Property Department label (numbered 517163) and was released via Disney's official Auction-Ears program.
Following production, this pack underwent cosmetic restoration to better align with the sleeker appearance of the non-firing "hero" props. These updates included a replacement central radiator fin, reshaped nose cones, removal of the spark plug wiring system, added panel line detailing to the underside, and a full refinishing of the body. This style of rocket-pack is easily identified on screen by its utilitarian screw-mounted exterior panels, visible only on the practical, flame-capable variants. The pack is mounted to a heavy-duty leather harness with robust metal buckles. While the original special effects mechanisms remain largely intact - including the internal fuel lines and ignition components - some elements may have been removed or altered during restoration. The pack has not been fired since production, and any attempt to do so would be strongly inadvisable due to safety concerns and the untested condition of its internal systems. Dimensions: 26.5" x 23.5" x 13.5" (67.5 cm x 59.75 cm x 34.5 cm)
Contains electronic components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Estimate: $75,000 - 150,000
View all lots from ROCKETEER, THE (1991)