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The Dark Knight Bat-Pod in 1/25 by Moebius - WIP


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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

box art sprueone

box art front (top)

 

box art sprueone

box art back (bottom)

 

This is the plastic model by Moebius "The Dark Knight Bat-Pod" in 1/25.

A small box at 9.5" X 6" X 1.5"

 

Assembly begins with the Frame halves (22, 23) and Engine part (24). The next step is the assembly of the Front Chassis parts (15, 34, 35) and some modification needs to be done for proper fit and alignment.

 

th_MoeBP_gap_at_keyway.jpg

 

There is a gap between the two subassemblies. This gap doesn't allow the key to engage the proper position between the (Frame) and (Front Chassis). The stance of the completed vehicle will be off and the gap visually noticeable.

 

 

th_MoeBP_P22_keyway.jpg

 

To solve this just trim and drill :

 

th_MoeBP_remove1-32.jpg

 

I cut and sanded smooth approximately 1/32" (0.8mm) material from the end of the suspension pivot peg of part (23). This peg is 1/8" diameter.

 

 

th_MoeBP_1-8Drill.jpg

 

With a 1/8" bit, drill out the Front Chassis Connector Tube, Upper and Lower Half parts (34, 35) after gluing together and the glue has set. These parts want to split while inserting the pivot peg part (23) otherwise.

 

 

th_MoeBP_proper_key_registration.jpg

 

After I did this mod, I noticed the assembly was easier and the keyway registered properly. And no more gap

th_MoeBP_no_gap.jpg

Thanks for looking... more to come

 

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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Wow, yours is off to a better start than mine...I didn't even pay attention to those areas. This is how mine ended up, not movie exact, got some wires on it and a gauge panel

P10110872.jpg

P10110702.jpg

P10110822.jpg

Hope you don't mind me putting mine on your thread. Can't wait to see your build-up!!!

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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

 

I don't mind at all brother! That is a tight build esp with all the detailing you added

 

th_P27.jpg

part (27) Right Side Brace doesn't look exactly like the illustration in the I-Sheets.

 

 

th_MoeBP_dont_glue_here.jpg

 

I didn't glue part (29) Shock Absorber to parts (20, 21) Brackets. (The joint as arrowed in the picture)

This will allow articulation of the shock part (29) for easy painting later. Cleaning the parting line between each peak and valley of the coil spring detail isn't necessary. Engine Cover part (2) will later conceal this

 

 

 

http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t357/Bogyoke/instructions/Moebius_Bat-Pod/assem-iSheetPg2.jpg

 

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

 

There are three spots that could use some putty filling. These places are arrowed:

 

th_Moe-BP_puttypoint.jpg

The two hollow spots on the top of the Large Air Tank part (9) and the middle joint spot on the Left Side Brace part (28)

 

putty point sprueone

 

 

These two spots are ejector pin marks on the front of part (26) Left Foot Rest/Radiator.

 

th_Moe-BP_puttypoint_P26_3B.jpg

 

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

The battery pack detail is a little shallow and flat on the model frame part.

Research of images of the prototype on-line show images of parallel battery packs on both sides of the frame just forward of the rear wheel.

 

battery sprueone

This is roughly blocked in which I'll wire up later

 

sprueone

There was something tubular running horizontal in this area on the prototype. I visually estimated then glued stretched sprue to replicate this

 

th_Moe_BP_battery-buildT.jpg

top view

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Tire Damage:

 

Heads up with the tires and rims. I read what RotorheadTX (from another modeling forum) already clearly described about the tire damage that can occur if you don't sand the ribbing off of the outside diameter of both rims.

 

 

 

The I-sheets told me to insert Front Wheel part (31) into the Tire part (48)

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage-ishtR.jpg

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage-ishtF.jpg

 

 

 

It's a tight fit and this happened

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage.jpg

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage-filed.jpg

I filed off the ribs that are molded onto the outside diameter from both rims

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage-tri.jpg

 

th_Moe_BP_tireDamage-none.jpg

No damage and a more realistic final look

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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Thanks for the very detailed build report! Too bad that Moebius could never make the deal to release the Batman and Joker figures, but the 1/25 Tumbler is still on the schedule. There will be another, slightly larger Batpod with a Catwoman figure coming out sometime. I think it'll be 1/18 scale.

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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

This is something I saw so I had to fix on my model. You really have to look close to spot it but the Front Munition Cluster boxes are hollow.

 

th_MoeBP_back_cavityL.jpg

inside left side

 

th_MoeBP_back_cavityR.jpg

inside right side

 

th_MoeBP_backplate_traced.jpg

The holes (arrowed) were punched with a standard paper hole puncher.

After the holes were punched, the Munitions Cluster parts were placed face up onto the styrene sheet. A sharpened pencil was traced around the parts then cut out

 

th_MoeBP_backplates.jpg

After cutting these out they were cemented in place. Don't forget to trim out some material for the CO2 Cartridge parts registration tabs

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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Fantastic, this one's got my attention. Keep it going.

You know it's just gonna be a matter of time before Cranky adds a flathead, some wide whites and calls it the Rat Pod.

And personally I'd rather have a Catwoman rider figurine.

Edited by Jantrix
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You know it's just gonna be a matter of time before Cranky adds a flathead, some wide whites and calls it the Rat Pod.

And personally I'd rather have a Catwoman rider figurine.

Haha true that!

Yes this kit does have a lot of potential for kitmash projects ;)

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

The I-Sheet describe the main guns as 40MM Cannons.

The way they are molded make them look too solid and chunky so I drilled mine out at the flash suppressor muzzle

 

th_MoeBP_muzz_imprv_Need.jpg

 

 

sprueone

I used a sewing needle and a magnifier lens to make a centered pilot hole for the 1/16" drill bit to follow

 

 

sprueone

The flash suppressor muzzle detail was then shaped out with a No. 11 blade

 

After painting these will look much more detailed. However I have seen some delicately painted without the drilling out and they look good too. Just depends on your own style and how far you want to take this

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

th_MoeBP_headlight_len.jpg

The headlight dome detail is cast together as one piece with the black plastic of the Munitions Cluster.

They can be painted to the desired effect because it's so small at 3/32" (2 mm). I couldn't however let this go and decided to drill it out for a clear lens.

 

 

sprueone

The same 1/16 drill bit was used and then a micro rat tail file cleaned it up to the final cavity shape and size.

The dome shaped lenses are casting tabs from the clear parts sprue of the Revell '66 Chevelle Station Wagon 85-2890

They'll be cut and shaped at the dotted lines until they fit the look

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

stance noun \ˈstan(t)s\

a : a way of standing or being placed : posture

b : intellectual or emotional attitude

Synonyms: attitude, carriage, poise, posture, station

from: merriam-webster.com

 

While dry fitting some of the parts together I played around with the stance.

This can be adjustable depending on the position that the Rear Wheel Assembly is inserted over the Chassis Assembly peg part.

I-Sheet page 4

 

sprueone

Prototype stance as designed

 

sprueone

riding high

 

sprueone

down low

All Bat-Pod Blog pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/4a7rF

Edited by Edward Gore
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