289 replies to this topic

[Futurabat]

I've ordered a snap-kit from my LHS, it should be in today.

I normally don't mess with snap together kits, but for this one I'm making an exception. I can't wait!

David G.

Make sure to check out the other threads about the snap-bat. There are some difficult (and easily broken ) pieces in it and some of the decals are incorrectly identified.

[David G.]

Make sure to check out the other threads about the snap-bat. There are some difficult (and easily broken ) pieces in it and some of the decals are incorrectly identified.

I've scanned at least one other build thread and I'm aware of some of the minor issues (broken spinner and slightly undersized holes for the rocket tubes). But I'll be sure to follow up on whatever I can find, Thanks for the tip.

This is probably one of the most involved snap together kits I've seen. It's got more pieces than some glue kits I've worked on.

I'm gonna go play with my Batmobile now!

Thanks again,
David G.

[Jantrix]

Hmm................I got a little motivated last night and the fur was flyin'. Sorry the rear shot is so lousy. Lots of work still to do and man, is that Black Force body hard to work with. The plastic is a little over an 1/8 inch thick. For those that are wondering how a Black Force arrived in such a state, it was once one of my kids toys and then the dog got to it.





BTW- I will be doing some bat-style fins to extend the Predicta fins from flat sheet and half-round stock.

Edited by Jantrix, 20 July 2011 - 02:08 AM.

[Jantrix]

I filled those gaping holes on the front and here's a better shot of the rear. The port on the rear will be a modern take on the classic batmobile afterburner. Lots of work still to do on the rear, the front is nearly ready for putty. Aero kit needs some attention. I'm torn on the bat-wings/fins/whatever. Should I leave the Predicta fins alone and add a single fin down the center of the roofline (splitting the rear windows), like the classic 1940's batmobile or add extensions to the Predicta fins on the sides. They aren't going to be very tall, certainly not taller than the roofline. Opinions appreciated.

[Futurabat]

I dunno Jantrix, this is shaping up to be a hybrid of modern and classic bat-designs. I'm really digging the modern look of the afterburner and the grillework. If it were me, I would probably do a tri-wing design similar to the "Batman and Robin" film. Add the central spine wing with a modern flair and add the extensions to the existing wings as well.

I wouldn't extend them very far though, and the dorsal wing would be lower and sleeker rather than tall with rediculously over done scallops like the movie car. Basically the wings (if it were left to me) would all be mild rather than wild.

[CorvairJim]

My thought on the rear of the car would be to just enlarge the current fins to maybe half again their height, sweep 'em back maybe 60 degrees, add a couple of semicircular cutots to their trailing edges, and curve their top edges some to simulate the natural swep of a bat's wings. Both the angle of the rear of the fins and their relatively low height would serve to emphasize the length of the car. Nix the idea of a central fin since bats only have TWO wings, not THREE of 'em!

[Futurabat]

My thought on the rear of the car would be to just enlarge the current fins to maybe half again their height, sweep 'em back maybe 60 degrees, add a couple of semicircular cutots to their trailing edges, and curve their top edges some to simulate the natural swep of a bat's wings. Both the angle of the rear of the fins and their relatively low height would serve to emphasize the length of the car. Nix the idea of a central fin since bats only have TWO wings, not THREE of 'em!

All good points with one exception. The number of wings doesn't really enter into it unless he was actually building a model of a bat. This however, is a model of a BatMOBILE wich is subject to interpretation in many forms. All it really boils down to here is if the styling is aesthetically pleasing. There have been alot of Batmobiles over the years with wings ranging from one to four. Some of them looked good, some of them didn't. I personally don't care enough to have to use caps and exclamation points to pass my opinion. Ultimately it's his model and i'm sure he'll make the decision that pleases him.

Not to mention, earlier you said how you liked the '50's Batmobile wich had one wing.

Edited by Futurabat, 22 July 2011 - 07:51 AM.

[Danno]

Personally, I'd go with a single dorsal fin on the roof, ending at the window opening and matching the angles of the existing fender fins (for continuity).

Edited by Danno, 22 July 2011 - 07:56 AM.

[Futurabat]

Personally, I'd go with a single dorsal fin on the roof, ending at the window opening and matching the angles of the existing fender fins (for continuity).

Interesting thought. I don't know though, looking at the back end of the car again stopping at the windows might make it look...stubby? I can imagine it though and in my minds eye that would look good from the profile view. you might be onto something there.

[Futurabat]

Finally got the interior floorboards done. A little putty to smooth them out and they're ready to go. The corrected leaf springs and A-arms are ready to mold. Right now i'm working on the chrome heel rests for the interior floor and they're giving me fits! I think i've been trying to go too quick on them so i'm slowing down and building them up slowly.



Batman and Robin sit much better in the car with the new floor.

[Danno]

Interesting thought. I don't know though, looking at the back end of the car again stopping at the windows might make it look...stubby? I can imagine it though and in my minds eye that would look good from the profile view. you might be onto something there.

The only way a rooftop dorsal fin is going to look decent is if it starts at the crown or peak of the roof as viewed from the side.

With that in mind, the dorsal fin would be way too huge and ungainly if carried too far down the roof line while still reflecting the angles and lines of the tailfins.

Ending the dorsal at the top of the rear window would keep it from being too big, but I could see taking it down the center divider to the bottom of the rear window; that could work!

But, taking it down to the trunk line or lower would make the dorsal as big and graceful as the Titanic. Or, worse, make it look like a typical Barris kustom.

[Michigan Madman]

The only way a rooftop dorsal fin is going to look decent is if it starts at the crown or peak of the roof as viewed from the side.

If you had a bubbletop or fastback style roof, you might be able to get away with a rooftop dorsal fin. Like you said, if it began at the highest point of the roof and gently tapered up, that would look the best, at least in my opinion.

[Michigan Madman]

Well, unless you are getting whimsical and campy, I suppose!

[CorvairJim]

All good points with one exception. The number of wings doesn't really enter into it unless he was actually building a model of a bat. This however, is a model of a BatMOBILE wich is subject to interpretation in many forms. All it really boils down to here is if the styling is aesthetically pleasing. There have been alot of Batmobiles over the years with wings ranging from one to four. Some of them looked good, some of them didn't. I personally don't care enough to have to use caps and exclamation points to pass my opinion. Ultimately it's his model and i'm sure he'll make the decision that pleases him.

Not to mention, earlier you said how you liked the '50's Batmobile wich had one wing.

Easy, man, easy! Jantrix asked for people's opinion so I gave him mine, and explained my reasons for thinking the way I do. Your BatMOBILE vs. bat point is well taken. However, by my count the 1950's Futura-based Batmobile, the car that most people think of as "The Batmobile" and the car I was thinking of in my prior comment, as seen in the TV series, had two... Also, I tend to use the caps in emphasizing a point, just as some others do in emphasizing parts of words (BatMOBILE, for instance! )

[Futurabat]

Here's the latest on my build. I added locator pins to the central framework, the missing frame bar from the rear end just behind the gas tank and reworked the frame tails so they blend better with the rear frame forks.


Next I started on the driver's side heelpad by hollowing out a thin resin block and adding sheet plastic.


Finally I made a mold for the drive shaft and leaf springs. My first attempt didn't work out too well but that's because I rushed it. The next set should be fine.

Edited by Futurabat, 27 July 2011 - 05:05 PM.

[Jantrix]

Okay here's a shot of what I'm doing with the rear. I have a fairing that will go below this area. The part in the center there will be the afterburner opening ala the 68 Batmobile. I'm going to partition off the areas to the right and left of it with some flat stock and then want to fill in the area with a solid piece of tail light material. At least that's what I'm currently kicking around. Another idea is to add a grill material to those areas and put some round lights behind. Another idea is to wire this thing and actually use working lights, since it's gong to be a curbside anyway. Whatcha think?

[Futurabat]

I'm diggin it. Light-er up.

[Futurabat]

OKAY, these are two customer builds. Please ignore the dust on the one. I haven't heard from him in a while so the build is kinda stalled. The first one wanted total accuracy on the paint, hence the neon red striping. The second build wants lighting, so i've removed the deck hatches and will hinge them to house the battery and hidden switch. I've also made provision to move the beacon and make it a little larger for accuracy.




Man those are fuzzy! Sorry guys, i'll get some pics in sunlight tomorrow and try to post some better ones.

Edited by Futurabat, 16 August 2011 - 03:17 PM.

[Drake69]

Can't believe I missed this thread! Here's mine, built box stock except for BMF and Future dip....










And it took second place at the IPMS Virginia Shootout this past weekend!

[Futurabat]

Congrats on your win Allen! Well deserved.