Zarkov's rocket ship
From Flash Gordon Wiki
Zarkov's rocket ship is a homemade rocket, invented by Dr. Hans Zarkov. Zarkov was criticized by his colleagues for thinking that he could build a rocket that would fly to other planets, but it turns out that he was right the whole time. The ship makes it to the planet Mongo on its first try.
Zarkov's rocket is filled with gauges and dials, and there's a big contraption in the middle that sparks. There is comfortable seating for three. Oxygen is provided from a tank situated near the main control bank. The oxygen must be turned on by hand, during flight. [1]
In flight, Dale says that the rocket ship is "rushing away from the Earth at the speed of light", but she is probably exaggerating. [2] On the way back from Mongo, a radio announcer makes a more reasonable estimate, saying that the craft is "moving toward the Earth at the incredible speed of at least 1200 miles an hour." [3]
It's possible to open the hatch of the ship during spaceflight -- for example, to throw a time bomb out of the ship before it explodes -- but care must be taken, because it's very windy outside. [4]
To land the ship, occupants must engage a powerful counter-magnet at the proper moment. If the counter-magnet isn't used correctly, the ship will be smashed to bits. [5] Retarding rockets can also be used for the same purpose. [6]
The ship is equipped with a telescope, which operates like a submarine periscope. It's not always possible to know exactly where the ship will land; in fact, it's possible to land without being sure which continent you're on. [7] There are no windows on the ship, so care must be taken upon exiting, in case dragons are lurking outside. [8]
References
- ↑ Flash Gordon serial, "The Planet of Peril", 1936.
- ↑ The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, episode 1, April 27, 1935.
- ↑ Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, "New Worlds to Conquer", 1938.
- ↑ Flash Gordon serial, "Rocketing to Earth", 1936.
- ↑ Flash Gordon serial, "The Planet of Peril", 1936. In the comic strip and radio serial, they don't engage the counter-magnet, and the ship is smashed to bits.
- ↑ Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, "New Worlds to Conquer", 1938.
- ↑ Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars, "New Worlds to Conquer", 1938. Flash, Dale and Zarkov are pleasantly surprised to discover that they've landed in the United States when they open the rocket's door. Given that uncertainty, it's a remarkable coincidence that they happened to land right in front of Ming's palace in "The Planet of Peril".
- ↑ Flash Gordon serial, "The Planet of Peril", 1936.
