1950's Batmobile 1/25th (First/Return Build)

[Half-orc]

It's been many years (decades) since I last sat down to build a model kit, but after my wife surprised me with this Batmobile model at Christmas, I felt I had to at least try.

It's a Polar Lights Johnny Lightning 1950's Batmobile, which came with a die-cast pre-painted shell, but all the rest needed to be prepped, painted and assembled. For a first effort since my teens, I'm quite proud of myself and I hope you don't mind me sharing! ~ Paul.

[cobraman]

Looks good Paul.

[PappyD340]

Very NICE!!

[Helix]

Nice work Paul

[blackbeard]

looks good

[sjordan2]

Where on Earth did this come from? Never seen or heard of it. Or is this your custom version of another kit? What scale is it?

EDIT: Okay, I see it was originally a diecast. How did you modify it?

Edited February 9, 2014 by sjordan2

[slusher]

Nice and cool build...

[Belugawrx]

Where on Earth did this come from? Never seen or heard of it. Or is this your custom version of another kit? What scale is it?

EDIT: Okay, I see it was originally a diecast. How did you modify it?

exactly....!

Where from did you get this

[Half-orc]

Where on Earth did this come from? Never seen or heard of it. Or is this your custom version of another kit? What scale is it?

EDIT: Okay, I see it was originally a diecast. How did you modify it?

Hi and thanks for the reply!

Nope, not a custom. Just a shop bought kit.

Here's a pic of the packaging;

The outer shell and fin are diecast, but all the rest is plastic. I'm not totally happy with the wood interior, but next time I'll try some alternative techniques with enamels rather than sticking to my safety zone of water based acrylics.

I've done some digging and apparently it was originally released in 2001 and the model number is #6903.

I had thought it was Polar Lights, but looking again at the box I have here, I might have that wrong. Is 'Playing Mantis' a brand? Basically it has 'Johnny Lightning' plastered all over it!

Hope that helps!

[Prince Ital Mike]

Very nice, the Dark Knight must be happy

[Chris White]

real nice Paul

[sjordan2]

Hi and thanks for the reply!

Nope, not a custom. Just a shop bought kit.

Here's a pic of the packaging;

The outer shell and fin are diecast, but all the rest is plastic. I'm not totally happy with the wood interior, but next time I'll try some alternative techniques with enamels rather than sticking to my safety zone of water based acrylics.

I've done some digging and apparently it was originally released in 2001 and the model number is #6903.

I had thought it was Polar Lights, but looking again at the box I have here, I might have that wrong. Is 'Playing Mantis' a brand? Basically it has 'Johnny Lightning' plastered all over it!

Hope that helps!

Aha! I don't know if he produced this Batmobile, but the Johnny Lightning/Playing Mantis line was once under the management of our forum member, Art Anderson.

[peter31a]

That is a great build for your first one back. I think you did a really good job on that interior. Look forward to seeing more from your workbench.

[Skydime]

If you've taken decades off, I have to say that there is sure no "ring rust" on your skills! Excellent detailing on this one. I've probably built for 30 years and can't detail like that. You say you aren't completely happy with it but, all I see that could improve is using a little bare metal foil (BMF). You must be a perfectionist.

Edited February 9, 2014 by Skydime

[ChrisBcritter]

Looks like a GM X-frame chassis - wonder what they based it on?

[Mike 1017]

What an amazing Batmobile . First time that I saw this one. Love what you did to the interior. thanks for sharing.