‘IT’S SCARY AS HELL’ This barmy self-taught scientist called ‘Mad Mike’ is going to launch himself over California in a homemade rocket

A DAREDEVIL self-taught scientist has announced plans to blast himself over California - in a rocket he knocked-up in his garage.

And justifying his barmy launch bid - "Mad" Mike Hughes quipped: "It's scary as hell, but none of us are getting out of this world alive."

Hughes, 61, who calls rocket flight the "holy grail of daredevil stunts, says he's the only man in history to design, build and launch himself in a rocket made mostly out of "scrap parts".

And he plans to launch his creation off the back of his $1,500 motorhome.

He said the steam-powered flight machine took him years to build and has cost him $20,000 (£15,000).

including the cost of the motorhome.

With his flight scheduled for Saturday, Hughes says he will travel at a speed of roughly 500mph for about a mile over the ghost town of Amboy, which has a population of four.Hughes, whose role model is legendary daredevil Evel Knievel, said: "I like to do extraordinary things that no one else can do, and no one in the history of mankind has designed, built and launched himself in his own rocket.

The former driver also believes the earth is flat, and his main sponsor for the rocket project is Research Flat Earth.

He added:"I don't believe in science."

"I know about aerodynamics and fluid dynamics and how things move through the area, about the certain size of rocket nozzles, and thrust. But that's not science, that's just a formula.

"There's no difference between science and science fiction."

Hughes says he hopes to one day build a rocket that takes him into space so he can see Earth with his own eyes.

For his launch at the weekend, which people will be able to see on internet pay-per-view, he plans to reach an altitude of about 1,800ft before pulling two parachutes.

He says he has put out enough food for his four cats in case anything goes wrong.

Following his jump, Hughes says he's going to announce his plans to run for California governor.