Space Ranger (device)

The Space Ranger was a propane-fueled vertical take off personal transporter, similar to a platform jet pack, developed by Richard Timewell, a Seattle sheet metal worker based in a small office at Boeing Field. The transporter was advertised in several issues of Popular Science magazine during 1977-1978.^[1][2][3] United Press International's Seattle bureau on April 10th 1978 issued an article including an interview with Timewell, who stated that only one completed Space Ranger had been sold, and that he was "working out a few bugs" after hitting trees and starting fires.^[4]

References

1. Popular Science - Dec 1977 - Page 152 advertisement with illustration
2. American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines - 1978 "Space Ranger," whose manufacturer is represented here by Asian American Commercial Corp. ... Its features include vertical take-off and landing, hovering like a helicopter; safe and easy flying at 40 miles per hour; ease in assembly at home ...
3. Canadian Transportation & Distribution Management 1978 "Space Ranger: carrier of the future? Entitled the Space Ranger, the 250-pound machine is propane-fueled, features vertical take-off and landing, and hovers like a helicopter. It has a ten mile range, 15-minute flight time and a top speed of ...Blueprints and construction plans for the machine cost $97.50 and a complete build-it-yourself kit sells for $5,795. More information is available by contacting Richard Timewell, president, Space Ranger Corp., 119 Terminal Bldg., King County"
4. The Register-Guard April 10 1978 Man boosts rocket 'roadsters'