1989 Keaton Batmobile-NOW WITH FINISHED PICS!

[trekriffic]

Now that the Mach 5 is done I thought I'd get back to my other favorite car-the Batmobile! Specifically, the 1/25 scale 1989 "Keaton" Batmobile by AMT:


Box Art by trekriffic, on Flickr

I've always loved this design, moreso than any of the other movie Batmobiles I think.

I bought this kit about 10 years ago (the box shows a 2003 issue date), started it, then set it aside and never got back to it. I did get as far as painting the body, chassis, cockpit, and "antiquing" of the chrome parts:

The body was previously sprayed with a shiny metallic black enamel. I gave it a light sanding with 600 grit and plan to give it a semi-gloss finish when I'm done:


Car Body by trekriffic, on Flickr

Antiquing is when you give the chrome parts a wash of diluted black enamel then rub away where you want highlights to show:


Side Details by trekriffic, on Flickr

Underside of the chassis with 10 year old paint details:


Underside of Chassis by trekriffic, on Flickr

The cockpit. Dang I was good with a brush back then . Look at all those dials!


Cockpit by trekriffic, on Flickr

Chrome bits for the turbine engine. I'll probably give them another antique coat:


Engine Parts by trekriffic, on Flickr

I'll post some more pics tomorrow showing today's progess.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

Looking pretty sharp so far.
That dial work is incredible

 

[trekriffic]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

Looking pretty sharp so far.
That dial work is incredible

Thanks Q! I still can't remember how I did those dials lol.

Yesterday's progress...

The blastproof windshield was glued into the cockpit hatch using canopy glue. The fit was not real good so I clamped it with clothes pins and set it aside to dry overnight:


Windshield Glued wih Canopy Glue by trekriffic, on Flickr

The tires and rims were mounted to the chassis front and back. I used some thinned grey enamel on the treads to simulate wear. The rear axle was a metal rod that I had to hammer into the inner wheel hub halves using a small tack hammer:


Chassis with Tires by trekriffic, on Flickr

The interior engine mount frame was glued into the front of the chassis:


Engine Mount by trekriffic, on Flickr

The cockpit was glued into the upper body:


Cockpit Installed by trekriffic, on Flickr

The rear jet engine nozzle, exhaust ports, and tail lights were glued in place:


Rear by trekriffic, on Flickr

Front headlights were glued in place using canopy glue:


Headlights by trekriffic, on Flickr

The jet engine turbine got some detailing with silver enamel:


Turbine Engine by trekriffic, on Flickr

A modeller on another forum noted I still needed to fill in the seams on the inner winglet halves which I hadn't noticed before so there is that to do now. After that I'll see about shooting the body with some flat lacquer before gluing the chassis to it. I'm still up in the air on the final finish. I've heard that the actual car itself was matte black (a flat finish is better for photography to avoid glare spots) but I do like a little glossiness myself. So I may give her a shot of Testors semi-gloss lacquer before I'm finished. It seems like it would be a nice compromise between a flat and a glossy finish.

 

[Ozzman78]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

Looking cool, great cockpit.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

Definitely looking good here

 

[trekriffic]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

Gave the body a coat of Testors flat black followed by Dullcote; then a coat of Testors semi-gloss lacquer; then I polished the fenders, hood, and the top of the canopy lightly using a paper towel which, as I'm sure most of you are aware, is mildly abrasive. Chassis was then glued to the body using Testors tube cement.

Soooo here's the almost finished Batmobile:


IMG_7218 by trekriffic, on Flickr

I also attached the rollers to the back end of the jet turbine and brushed on MM steel and titanium metalizer for a more metallic look. I made the nose at the front end almost entirely black to more closely match the body color since that's how it looks to me in most of the images I've seen. The machine guns were glued together and painted MM steel along with the diagnostic module that fits in a slot on the side of the turbine; not glued on though.

Jet turbine, machine guns, and diagnostic module:


IMG_7216 by trekriffic, on Flickr


Gots stuff to do Saturday but should have some finished pics up come Sunday.

 

[trekriffic]

Re: 1989 Keaton Batmobile

So here are the finished pics after more than 10 years on the back shelf fellas. I settled on a semi-gloss finish; it just looked right to me without being too glossy...


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr

 

[trekriffic]

More pics...


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr

Holy machine Guns Batman!


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr

Underside:


1989 Keaton Batmobile by trekriffic, on Flickr

Next to my 1/24 scale 1950 and 1960 Johnny Lighting diecast DC Comics Batmobiles:


Batmobiles by trekriffic, on Flickr


Batmobiles by trekriffic, on Flickr

And, last but not least, next to a vintage Happy Meal toy:


1989 Batmobiles by trekriffic, on Flickr

Lots more pics viewable here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29607470@N08/sets/72157644452447329/with/14324315804/

Thanks for viewing!

 

[Quaralane]

Nice work on it, Trek