Mike Stutelberg’s Batcave

This amazing 8 foot diorama was originally designed as a six part multi-scale base kit-showcase for Horizon Hobbies. The Batcave was featured at Wonderfest ’98 and was a three part article in Amazing Figure Modeler Magazine #11,12 & 13.

I must preface my comments by saying that the photos your looking at were taken before this project was completed. I created this diorama for Horizon Hobbies as a showcase of 1/24th and 1/25th scale Batman kits. The top of this showcase was to display Horizons thirteen, 1/8 scale Batman figures . Unfortunately Horizon made a decision to let the license go . The model was on display at the 1998 Wonderfest in Kentucky and is featured in Amazing Figure Modeler Magazine as a multipart article beginning in issue #11 and ending in issue #13 ( back issues are available at http://www.amazingmodeler.com ).

This is the left side of the diorama. Note, David Creighs “Caped Classic” near the top, in my opinion the best 1/25 scale kit of Adam West’s Batmobile out there. David was kind enough to let me display his built up in the cave at Wonderfest ’98. In the lower right is Horizons 1950’s Batmobile, You can still find Horizons vehicle kits in model shops or on Ebay . The lower left shows the original sculpted master for Horizons one man “Whirly-Bats” used in the 50’s by Batman and Robin there is also a black original concept piece I did around the same time , The Batplane isn’t the one Aurora issued, it is Horizons 1/25th scale 1980’s Batplane taken from comic book designs.

Another view of the left side. This features Horizons 1980’s Batmobile, and if you look closely you will almost see a Batman figure that was released by Mayfair games, this set also came with a Joker figure that was very cool , the Robin figure that you can’t really see was scratch built . Also note the large penny in Batman’s trophy room and the mechanical dinosaur, it was created using Horizons 1/35th scale vinyl T-rex.

Here is the center portion of the diorama. The large Bat Computer features a photo of Horizons stunning 1/6th scale Joker , still in my opinion one of the finest figure kits ever done. The computer screen is designed so you can slide any 4″x6″ photo into it. Also note the mechanical dinosaur and the large Joker card, seen in the comic books since the 40’s. A panel on the dinosaurs chest is open and it is wired with a 12 volt grain of rice bulb so you can see the inner robotic workings. In the lower right is Robin’s motorcycle from the 60’s.

Here you can see the 60’s TV Batboat sitting in the underground river. On a side note, the Batboat was made in Austin Texas by Glastron Boats, and was based on their top of the line speed boat. This boat was also featured in an article for Model & Toy Collector Magazine, The Batboat was almost entirely scratch built except for the hull. Also featured in this shot is Batman’s crime lab in the center and his drafting table and desk in the upper right.

Mike Stutelberg