Want to know what it’s like living with a superhero? Then Mark Pearson is your man.
For the past 14 months the 45-year-old has been sharing his Tyersal home with Iron Man – or at least bits of him.
What started out with a curious browse on a movie replica-makers website quickly spiralled into a full-time mission that the car body repairer just could not resist.
The Iron Man film fan bought himself a 12ins model of actor Robert Downey Jr in the iconic red and gold suit and began with making a super-size helmet – three of them to be exact – but then could not stop.
“That was it, I was hooked and had to make the rest of the suit. My partner told me not to but I just ignored her as usual and carried on building it in the drive,” he said.
It started out as 400 sheets of cardboard which he carefully turned into a 3D structure then fibre-glassed it. It is also fitted with flashing lights for the eyes, hands and chest.
“All it’s missing is the ability to fly – but that would have been a bit tricky. I really would have needed super powers myself to have made that possible!”
Today, Mark’s creation, with the help of his 6ft pal Darren Higgins, put in a special guest appearance at Bradford city centre’s Cineworld – wowing youngsters who had gone along to see The Avengers new movie starring Iron Man himself.
Mr Pearson said: “I’m only 5ft 6 so am too short to wear the suit myself but it’s a perfect fit for my mate, though getting the shoes right so he could walk in it has been a bit of a nightmare. He tried it on for the first time and had a great big grin on his face. Who wouldn’t want to be a millionaire with a flying suit!”
“It’s weird after months of having these red and gold inanimate objects sitting about the house that it’s suddenly all pieced together and I’ve re-created the ultimate superhero – Iron Man.”
As for what he has planned next, Mr Pearson said: “A holiday – I think I owe it to my partner for putting up with me – and him. He’ll be lodging with us a bit longer. I think he’ll live in the front room for a while and then I might put him up on e-Bay and have a go at making something else!”
e-mail: kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk
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