Rocket man
Ladies and Gentlemen, the future is officially here. News reached me this week that the world's first commercial jetpacks are set to hit the UK soon.
The Martin Aircraft Company in New Zealand has bagged a multi-million dollar deal to turn the science fiction gadget into science fact. The Christchurch firm aims to make 500 of the devices per year and sell them at a retail price of about £50,000.
Wannabe James Bonds and Boba Fetts can reach heights of about a mile and travel at 60mph for 30 miles on one tank of gas. Due to the fact the contraption weighs a mere 250lbs, you won't even require a pilot's licence to operate them.
I reckon these are sure to be a hit in the übercompetitive maelstrom of hurly-burly machismo that is the channel.
My arch-nemesis at Plaistow Pete's PC Palace may have the Lamborghini, the Rolex, the trophy wife, the 60-inch TV and the chateau in Provence - but I'll be damned if he's getting one of these bad boys before me.