Real-life Iron Man? This engineer is getting close

Some childhood dreams fade. Others get engineered slowly, obsessively, and slightly unbelievably. Russian YouTuber and engineer Alex Burkan has been building his own version of an Iron Man suit since 2018, and with every update, it feels less like fandom and more like a real-life origin story. What began with sketches and scrap ideas is now inching towards something that could even make Tony Stark nervous.

From ‘box of scraps’ to serious science

Burkan’s journey mirrors Tony Stark’s arc, just without the Hollywood budget. Starting with pencil sketches, clay models, and basic tools, he has steadily upgraded his suit into a complex engineering project. His latest reveal? A hydrogen reactor designed to mimic the iconic arc reactor. “Remember, the hydrogen reactor in my suit is an electrolyser that, under the influence of electric current, decomposes water into hydrogen and oxygen. That is rocket fuel and oxidiser in one bottle,” Burkan explained. The resulting gas could power everything from hydrogen torches to miniature repulsors—yes, the same kind Iron Man fires mid-air.

The internet is already seated for the finale

With over 484,000 views on his latest clip, fans are fully invested in the slow-burn build. And the comments? Equal parts awe and long-term commitment. “Trust me, he’s gonna finish building this real-life Iron Man suit before GTA 6 release,” one user joked. Another added, “Been watching this guy since high school, I’m in the final year of my law degree, and it has been a journey. can’t wait to see the end.” At this rate, it’s no longer just a passion project—it’s a slow, real-world experiment in turning fiction into function.




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