CultTVman: George Belknap's Little Batcar part 2

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	part 2




	On to the wheels. I chucked the wheels into a Dremel and set it at it's lowest speed. I then took some 400 grit sandpaper and dressed up the tread area on the tires. (photo 12) While still in the Dremel I used 1000 grade steel wool to clean up the side walls and wheels. This will leave a smooth shiney finish on the wheels when done. (photo 13) The tread area still had some imperfections after this step so I filled those with a little CA glue. Sanded them again after the glue had dried. I sprayed the tires with a dark charcoal gray I mixed up using Model master Flat White and Model Master Flat Black. This gives a more rubber like appearence than Flat Black. Using an artists circle template as a mask I sprayed Alclad Chrome on the wheels. (photo 14)

Using a pin vise to hold them, (photo 15) I filed the seams and flash off the metal steering wheel and fire extinguisher. Gave them a light coat of primer and then proceeded to paint them.

Next is the photo-etched parts. While they were still attached to the fret I painted them. (photo 16) This will save you a lot of headaches and they can easily be touched up should they get scratched when removing them. After giving the interior seats a coat of semi-gloss I attached the two photo-etched side panels. I then glued in the bat phone and the fire extinguisher to the center console. I glued the radar and scanner screen to the top of the dashboard. You may want to sand down the two humps on top of the dash so the photo-etched parts will lay flat. After attaching the steering wheel to the dash I glued the dashboard to the interior tub. I then glued the interior to the body. At this point you may want dry fit the chassis again to make sure everything lines up.

I next took the chassis and wheels. You will have to drill holes on the backside of the wheels to accept the brass axle. Take the brass rod and cut it in two. Affix one wheel to each axle and slip them into the chassis. The axles should actually be longer than you need. Slip the body onto the chassis to determine how much you need to trim the axles to get the other wheels to fit. Once the wheels are in place you can now mount the body / interior assembly to the chassis.

With the exception of the interior pieces I've left the attachments of the photo etched parts til last. This decreases the chance of accidentally knocking pieces off during assembly. I attached the two antennas to the roll bar. I use a little Micro Scale Crystal Clear to fill in the seam between the rollbar and the antennas. Take the cowling for the turbine exhaust and super glue one end to the bottom of the exhaust tube. When dry place a drop of glue on the bottom next to where you attached the cowling. Wrap the cowling around the exhaust and attach where you put the drop of glue. Clamp until dry. The grilles can come next then the door handles and finally finish up with the bat hubs for the wheels. There you have your own little Batmobile.

Photos 17 thru 20 depict the finished model. Photo 21 shows off the 60's Batmobile with the Hot Wheels 89 Batmobile and the Johnny Lightning 40's Batmobile.

Overall a fun little kit to build. Some of the photoetched pieces were difficult to handle. In fact I never did get the radar antenna that sits in front of the canopy on the car. I believe an intermediate modeler with steady hands can build this kit with minimum difficulty.

George Belknap


	©1997-2006 Stephen J. Iverson. Other material copyright of original owner. No material (images or text) may be reproduced without permission of Stephen Iverson and original copyright owner. Additional copyright and legal information