Likewise any other lively street, Nueva Polonia is a middle-class town in Cuernavaca, positioned at an hour’s journey from Mexico. In absence of traffic, only birdsong and distant barking dominate the ambience. It is this peace that is amilingly disturbed by the momentary roar of jet engines being tested by one resident, Juan Manuel Lozano. For last 30 years, Juan was engaged in developing, designing and experimenting with rocket belts similar to one worn by James Bond in the 1965 movie, Thunderball. But his expertise resides in forming rocket belts and establish himself as a successfuul businessmen in this field despite the fact that not even single rocket belt has been sold till date.
Lately, four of his custom-built belts are highlighted on specially made stands in his undisciplined office-cum-workshop. With variation in size, each one has same characteristic fuel tanks, ceramic-insulated thrusters to launch the pilot, the catalyst pack that enables rocket belt to generate 900 horsepower and hand controls for manoeuvring once in the air. On a drop of $125,000 (€80,000, £63,000), you can take home on eof these. Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) takes pride in not only being the world’s only manufacturer of rocket belts but also only firm offering a complete package for customers counting intensive tuition, lifetime technical assistance and a machine that makes pure hydrogen-peroxide to fuel the rocket belt. After making an investment of $500,000 and facing various hurdles, Lozano managed to extend flight times to only 30 seconds against 21 seconds back in the 1960s.
Two other interesting and revolutionary creations include a 1,000 horsepower rocket bicycle (under testing) and a 4,400 horsepower rocket motorcycle that can crover the quarter mile with 5 seconds.
Via | FT
