 The Rocketeer 's attack on the Nazi Zeppelin was filmed near Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia , California over four months through pick @-@ ups . Remaining visual effects footage took place at ILM 's headquarters in San Rafael and Hamilton Air Force Base . There , they constructed a 12 ft scale model of the Zeppelin , which was photographed against matte paintings that resembled 1938 Los Angeles for intercutting purposes . The Zeppelin explosion special effect alone cost $ 400 @,@ 000 . 
