Episode 435 - The Strange Tale of the RB2000
Summary
This episode explores the history of military jetpacks, debunking Nazi myths and detailing the Bell Rocket Belt's development and eventual cancellation. The narrative shifts to the commercial era, following pilot Kenny Gibson and insurance salesman Brad Barker as they navigate a chaotic world of theme park tours and the Michael Jackson World Tour. The story escalates into a bizarre crime saga involving a meth-addicted car stereo technician, a kidnapping, a karate instructor, and a retired Navy SEAL, all centered around the theft and protection of the RB2000 jetpack.
Topics discussed
Patreon sponsorship and show introduction
Cuck chair, South Africa real estate, and Diary of a CEO
9/11 survivor anecdotes and military service context
Why jetpacks and flying cars are impractical
Isaac Asimov predictions and rocket vs jet distinction
Nazi V1 rocket myths and Gravity's Rainbow reference
Holocaust denial chisel incident and airport security
Mormon Project Grasshopper and Bell Rocket Belt origins
Bell Rocket Belt test pilots and early crashes
Fatalities, military disinterest, and alternate history
Wendell Moore's death and Tyler Rocka's copy
Gibson's Sweden stint and return to the US
Introduction of Barker, Wright, and the audio shop crew
Violence between Barker and Stanley, and Elton John
Building the RB2000 copy and meth head dynamics
Business formation, funding, and legal ownership disputes
Bill Sutter testing, Fen-Phen, and internal conflicts
Theft, murder accusations, and the Pretty Bird movie
1995 Houston gig, kidnapping, and FBI interview
Legal battles, prison sentences, and Barker's escape
Final legal outcomes and the jetpack's current status
Conclusion, literary comparisons, and listener questions
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