The Batmobile from the '89 movie,

Doesn't look bad to me Curt, just, as you say, part of the design.

RetiredMike wrote:Nice - the lump probably stores the massive Bat-chute.

Thanks for that idea Mike. I had totally forgot that I had wanted to put cutes on it. I was going to put them in a similar location as the TV car.

Your idea has spurred a thought to use a chute from a 1/16 drag car.

Thanks dude!

This is a trial and error fit, design. Not sure how I am going can make it work so I started with sculpting the chute, which nowmthat I kinda know the method I might do another one. One with much crisper lines and edges. Also trying a rough placement of the pack.

My thought is to box it in, and perhaps make a sliding cover for it.

Looking good Curt, very creative

Cool idea. There's that brain of yours coming up again with stuff I wouldn't think of myself. Creativity.

Thanks guys but this is Mikes idea. I just ran with it.

I am not sure it is convicing enough, I think I am going to redo it this aft.

I'm convinced it's a parachute. LOL

Maybe some pop up doors like an upside-down bomb bay?

Great work continues.

Thanks David,Gary&Mike.

I spent about 4 1/2hrs this morning cutting/chopping to make another change to the shell. I am hoping it will look less like a lump and flow better with the rest of the car.

To achieve is I cut out most of the back to make room for the chute, this allowed me to reshape the back slope of the body. I cut the part that shrouds the jet cone and moved it up 8 1/2 scale inches, so it now sits on top of the body. I made a box for the chute then laid down .020x.125 strips of styrene. I will back fill the shell with c-channel strips to strengthen it for the filling, sanding and shaping process.


I also sculpted a another chute, I think this one looks muck crisper. Although it now may be too boxy looking.

Bit of catching up to do - that's a lot of work in a short time! The mods look great, brilliant re-do on the front body lip and the added ridge lines and accents look like they've always been there even with the contrasting plastic.

I had to go back and study the rear portion to see what you removed and totally get why you did it - is it just me or did those louvers add to the 'fish' look?

*Edit* just erased a bunch of stuff cause I commented before reading the last post, lol.  Like what you did with the back lump, definite improvement to the overall lines.

The second chute pack looks fine to me, at this scale a lot of roundness winds up looking sharp edged, especially on smaller stuff. Think of it as a very tightly packed, very large chute.

Sterling work Curt, very enjoyable.

Thanks Gary, your interest is appreciated, it's been enjoyable to work on.

Kats, agreed, the rear louvers added to the fish look. Thanks for the kind words and support .

Another on I just caught up on.

I'm not a Batmobile fan Curt but love what you are doing with this one. The new roof line and other stuff, is much more inkeeping with the 'Dark Knight' IMO.

The major surgery looks like it will turn out well. Nice.

Thanks Al and Mike for the kind words and interest.

The slow arduous process of filling/sanding/shaping has begun. I managed to session tonight. Third coat on in the photos.
I really enjoy this part, I find it super ralxing and highly focused, sometime too focused. On past projects I have completely forgot about the other end of a sanding pad or stick even a blade and done some real damage. Fortunately nothing like that happened this round.

Thanks for following.

Great work Curt, preparation is everything.

Great progress! Curved body work is always arduous to accomplish properly, putty, file, sand, putty, sand, etc., but a good result is always worth the effort. Can't wait to see what comes next.

Katz, Gary, the words of support and encouragement are really appreciate. You guys help make this place one of e best around.



Shaping/sanding and filling today.


I like to  use the saw blade as a tool to knock down the rough filler, much like the cheese grader is used in the real world of auto body work. With it fine teeth and it's straight edge it provides a much better starting point when the finner shaping and sanding starts. Less dips and peaks to deal with.

GaryDainton wrote:

Holy a ton of quotes.

On a serious note, it's looking absolutely brilliant Curt.

That's a serious lesson on bodywork, superb finish.

Gary, cheers mate.

Ken, it's probably the most extensive collective body mod work I have done to date. Thanks for the kind words.

Still plenty of filler and sanding/shaping/sculpting going on.

A few more rounds then it will be ready for the final primer coat for paint. Then the labour intensive painting/masking begins.

The paint scheme will include most of the shell being covered in a checkered pattern of semi gloss and gloss black. Each square/checker will be 1.65mm.

I calculated the surface area out to figure out how many squares for the entire shell to be about 2000 squares.

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys, they keep me motivated.

Added chute box trim just to give it some definition and help square up the opening.


Before: Filler applied and shaping.


After: Shaping complete.



Original kit front wheel wells that I am attempting to replicate. I think I am close enough but obviously not exact. Once painted I think it will all come together.

Cant wait to see paint on this Curt, incredibly enjoyable project.