Ever since the first time I saw, Radar Men From The Moon, back in the early sixties on a local Sacramento, California afternoon kid's program, I've been fascinated with Republic's famous flying suit. Although clunky and outdated by today's high tech standards, it was a state-of-the-art, post-War eye catcher in the late forties and early fifties.

Originally conceived by Republic's special effects wizards, Howard and Theodore Lydecker, the rocket suit, in it's three different versions, portrayed a weird combination of astronaut, jet pilot and vintage superhero.

Over the years, I had assembled a modest collection of stills showing various details of the suit. Then, in 1997, I met a professional prop maker named Don Coleman, via the Internet. I discovered Don was also a huge fan of Commando Cody and had, in fact, scratch built a replica version of the flying suit some years earlier.

Don Coleman wearing his amazing flying suit

Don had thoroughly researched the design of the original costume. He even painstakingly reproduced the intricate graphic on the "chest control panel" using rub on lettering. Through many e-mails and finally a visit to Don's home, I began to learn how the various components were created and assembled. Of particular note was the unusual belt buckle assembly; a highly modified safety harness buckle from a WWII B-17 cockpit!

After countless e-mails, phone calls and letters all across the United States, I was finally able to gather together and assemble my version of Republic most famous serial costume. Although the project took nearly four years to research and complete, it was well worth the time and effort.

Check out the replica suit in action on: The Movie Page.