CAMOUFLAGE BATMAN TUMBLER - Body Panel Masking - 3/24/16

[Nytrozilla]

I rarely build for anyone other than myself. In this case however, this will become a gift for the son of some special friends. YES (to everybody who knows me) I DO HAVE FRIENDS.

This is also one of the rare occasions where I will actually be following the instructions. YES (to everybody who knows me) I CAN READ.

This build, like all others, started with clean up of miscellaneous lines, mold marks, flash, of which there was very little of each. Thanx Moebius.

Next, it's off to the bath for degreasing. YES (to everybody who knows me) I USED REAL SOAP.

That brings us to present day where, after major parts paint in silver, gold and ModelMaster 1963 Desert Sand, detailing has begun. The darker camo effects will be 1954 Light Earth. I've shot a piece of decal paper, which will have the patterns cut out and applied. Note to self, restock decal set.

My main focus is the cockpit for now. YES (to everybody who knows me) I CAN FOCUS.

Thanx for looking.

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by Nytrozilla

[Nytrozilla]

...and a few more.

[GTJUNIOR]

Paint is looking good so far, can't wait to see your progress with this one Joe.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great start. Looks like a great kit.

[Nytrozilla]

Thanx guys. Here's some progress from yesterday. 

I got the door panels done and started on the dash, seats shocks and the tanks, which are half done.

A couple of changes from canon. I decided to go camo on the motor and rear axle as well, so those parts got hit with Light Earth. Pretty dark color for something named "light".

It also occurred to me, that if this bad boy was originally designed for field work, would it have shiny exposed aluminum on the rear wheels? I think not. So they get a camo look too.

More to come, I'm headed to the desk as I write this.

[Roadrunner]

I have no idea what this is, some sort of transformer gizmo?

[buildnething]

I have no idea what this is, some sort of transformer gizmo?

Bat mobile from Dark Knight Trilogy. The Christian Bale movies. But they called it the Tumbler though. Pretty awesome vehicle. 

 

[buildnething]

Awesome painting so far! Will keep my eye on this! Thanks for sharing. 

[Nytrozilla]

I have no idea what this is, some sort of transformer gizmo?

[Roadrunner]

Nice! Thanks, Joe. I think I've only seen one of those movies, and had no recollection of it. Looks cool though.

[Nytrozilla]

My pleasure Kevin. It does look like a Transformer having a really bad day.

Got some more detail work done today. Concentrating on wings and so forth.

The dash computer screens are decals stolen from Slixx Contingency sheets. They'll get epoxy lenses.

See y'all next time around.

[Nytrozilla]

The last few days have produced moderate progress. I've started on engine detail and knocked out a ton of computer screens. A total of 7 if I got that right.

I apologize for the poor pics because the detail shows up better in real life. For instance, the front spindle braces at the bottom of the 3rd pic are moderate wash, not heavy like you see.

There's another fun thing I'm looking forward to. A while back, I stocked up on a variety of "The Detailer" washes and I've been experimenting. They are now one of those "must haves" for realistic shadowing.

I won't do another model without them.

The wheels are almost done and I'm ready to assemble the seats.

Assembly of the whole thing will start soon.

Thanx for looking and enjoy the bad pics. Next month I'll put together a photography table and lighting.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Nytrozilla

[Nytrozilla]

It's been a good couple of days and detail paint is done, minus touch up, and assembly has started.

Here's the cockpit mocked up with the completed center console and control console. I will be covering the seams. Only the passenger seat has seat belts.

I will "borrow" the car from it's new owner to enter it in Box Stock categories or I would have made harnesses for both seats. It might have to go in Sci-Fi / Fantasy if they don't allow the computer screen decals.

The wheels and tires are done as well. Sanding the rear tires was a challenge because of the shoulder tread blocks. Every other tread segment is lower than the surrounding ones, so I hit each one the best I could.

It's good enough for the girls that John Teresi goes with........

See y'all next time.

[Roadrunner]

Very cool.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Coming along nicely.

[Nytrozilla]

I need to start with the acknowledgement that this is a very well designed build, construction wise. With a few recommendations.

Locating pins people !!!!! The long tab and slot between the dash and firewall allows the parts to slide up and down and there are no clear instructions on how to align them. So I butted the top of the dash up to the top of the firewall and set it aside to dry. I was relieved that, at no time during tree removal, clean-up and paint, did I manage to snap the top of the very flimsy, warped dash. The next day I tried to install it, (dry fit, thankfully), only to discover the dash needed to come down about 1/4". So I whipped out my handy dandy razor saw and separated the pieces to try again. Once that was in place, I had to modify the door panels where they meet the dash, again, due to poor fit. Thankfully, the rear panel fell into place. My recommendation? If you use tab and slot, mold a raised "stop" into the part to, well, you know, stop it.

One good word of advice that Moebius gives is, since the top of the floorboard stays black, paint the bottom after assembly. I sanded off the logo and other miscellaneous kit ID markings, then masked and shot. I'm happy with the result.

ON TO THE NOSE !!!!!!!!! Here I go again. First things first. There is a HUGE ejector pin on the tab at the top of the nose. It won't allow you to even attempt to insert the tab. Major sanding and X-Acto shaving is required to get the nose to lay down. It still needs some help due to the remaining gap. Minor, but annoying nonetheless. Also, they should have beveled the edges of the center glass because the side windows refused to go into place. Instead, I replaced the center class with a piece of clear acetate. You'll see that in place on the next update. Finally, the masking lines will get blended or covered by parts or camo decals.

Keep on swimming, Keep on swimming, Just keep swimming...........Dory

 

 

Edited February 29, 2016 by Nytrozilla

[Nytrozilla]

Well, this oughta knock out any ideas of going Box Stock on this build. I couldn't look at the center console seam or the empty HUD space at the top of the control console any longer.

For the console, I sliced up a piece of a fruit cup lid and dropped it in place. Yes, it's clean. I licked it first.

For the HUD, this was fun. First I looked for decals and spotted my prey amongst some Munster decals. Then I looked for some clear green plastic in my stash. Not the first time I've come up empty, so I hope you like blue.

Tonite I'll do the nose windows. The side windows refuse to cooperate, so they'll get acetate too.

Enjoy the pics.

[Belugawrx]

Wow , that interior is chock full of details 

Looking good Joe

Cheers

[Nytrozilla]

Wow , that interior is chock full of details 

Looking good Joe

Cheers

Anytime I can get an endorsement on a Batmobile from a guy named Bruce, I'll take that as a good omen. Thank you.

Here's where we are up to now, uh, as opposed to later.

I finished the nose and strut installation. The wheels and firewall wings are dry fit for now until I put the axles in the front rims.

I managed to mix up some touch up paint for both the light and dark colors. Would be nice if Model Master sprays had matching bottles for touch up.

I was going to tell you what comes next, but I forgot to look and I'm too lazy to check it, so it'll be a surprise for us all on the next update.

Thanks for looking.

[Nytrozilla]

Today was a surprise. After NASCAR (and a short nap), I started back to work and I like what I've done.

The first thing I decided was, this thing needs a fire extinguisher. My guess is the real (?) car would have a Halon system, but the center console has a big gap and nature abhors a vacuum. It was too tall for starters, so after I clipped it above the bottom bracket, I removed the remaining bracket. Next I took some craft wire and squished it in a vise to give it some texture for the new brackets. Then I made a hose and painted the bottle.

While I was fiddling in that area of the console I kept looking at the handles on both sides of the seats. That's when it hit me that this bad motivator needs some serious "Hang On For Dear Life" handles. Craft wire to the rescue again.

The back of the car is next. See ya then.

[Belugawrx]

lookin' good Joe...

Oh, and Happy B Day Big guy !!

[Nytrozilla]

Thanks again Bruce.

Took the day off to reflect and celebrate.

Or, I wanted to make sure the paint on the extinguisher was dry before I attach the parts to it.

[Nytrozilla]

Personally, last week was a disaster. Having said that, next week isn't going to be any better.

All the more reason to get something done here.

Working on the rear section for fitment. I used some more of the foil on the jet to cover the seams. I'll add braided hoses from the tanks.

Also about ready to install the fire extinguisher. Sorry for the bad close up. I found a Bat Symbol decal from a PL 60's Batmobile. I'll shoot for  better pic when it's installed.

[Nytrozilla]

Quickie update with the fire extinguisher done and in place.

I think it looks good enough for the girls that John Teresi goes with.

I've noticed that the cockpit rear wall looks suspiciously Bat Shaped. I may just have to alter / elongate the symbol below to cover the 3 tab holes.

Thoughts?

Thanx for looking. Enjoy the pics.

[Foxer]

You're doing some great detail painting here!  looking good!