Wikipedia

Batplane

Not to be confused withBatwing (DC Comics).

TheBatplane,Batwing,BatjetorBatgyrois the fictionalaircraftfor theDC ComicssuperheroBatman.[1]The vehicle was introduced in "Batman Versus The Vampire, I", published inDetective Comics#31 in 1939, a story which saw Batman travel tocontinental Europe.[2][3]In this issue it was referred to as the "Batgyro", and according toLes Danielswas "apparently inspired byIgor Sikorsky's first successful helicopter flight "of the same year. Initially based upon either anautogyroorhelicopter,with a rotor, the Batgyro featured a bat motif at the front. The writers gave the Batgyro the ability to be "parked" in the air by Batman, hovering in such a way as to maintain its position and allow Batman to return.[4][5]

Batplane
Batman and his Batwing (Batplane) as they appeared on the variant cover ofDetective Comics#989 (September 2018). Art byMark Brooks.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDetective Comics#31 (September1939)
In story information
TypeVehicle
Element of stories featuringBatman
Robin

The Batgyro was soon replaced by the Batplane, which debuted inBatman#1, and initially featured a machine gun.[6]The vehicle was now based on afixed wingairplane rather than a helicopter, with a propeller at the front, although a bat motif was still attached to the nose-cone. The Batplane has undergone constant revision since its first appearance, and has even been depicted as having the capability to traverse underwater.[7]With the launch of theTim BurtondirectedBatmanfilm of 1989, the Batplane became known as the Batwing, a name which was carried over into the comics. Previously inBatman#300 the name Batwing was used in reference to a spacecraft. The 2012 filmThe Dark Knight Risesalso adapted the Batplane to film, however, this time the vehicle was referred to asThe Bat.

A sentient version of the Batwing, nicknamed "Wing", appears inBatwheels,voiced byLilimar Hernandez.

Background

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The Bat-gyro as it appeared inDetective ComicsNo. 31 (September 1939).

Batman once maintained aircraft in his originalBatcave.However, launching these planes so close toWayne Manor's neighboring estates threatened to compromise Batman's secret identity. The Caped Crusader now "borrows" specially-modified jets and helicopters fromWayne Aerospace'sbusiness and military contracts.

Batplane I[8]and the Bat-Rocket favored Batman's signature look over sleekaerodynamics.

The origin of Batplane II

Batplane II[9]was a retooled needle-nosed Wayne Aerospace W4Wraithfighter that married style with substance.[10]In terms of design, it shares features with the GrummanF9F Cougarand McDonnellF-101Voodoo. When the Batplane is stolen and triplicated by smugglers inBatman#61, Batman and Robin upgrade the Batplane to jet propulsion, adding at least "100 miles per hour" to its maximum speed.[7][11]

Batplane IIIis a modified Wayne AerospaceSlipStream($46 million sans "extras" ). It is detailed to resemble a standard mid-size corporate jet during take-offs and landings. Some of its features and capabilities are as follows:

  • At cruisingaltitude(35,000-45,000 ft.), telescoping wings retract. Exterior sections of tail and nose-cone envelop cockpit and cabin fuselage for higher altitude pressurization.
  • Gaining further altitude (45,000-55,000 ft.) delta fins in the tail and snub winglets elongate to increase efficiency and stability as speeds approachsupersonic.
  • At ceiling altitudes (55,000-60,000 ft.) "smart" paint on exterior radar-shielding ceramics responds to dropping air pressure and temperature, thus camouflaging the Batplane's exterior to stealthy black.
  • Avionicsinclude ergonomic "at-a-glance" viewing levels for all electronics and multifunction displays. The breakawaycanopyallows for pilot/co-pilot emergency ejection. The reinforcedacrylic glasscanopy windows polarize at stealth altitude.

Technical specifications

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The aircraft's specifications are:[12][13]

Height: 14.5 ft.
Length: 57.7 ft.
Wingspan: 47.6 ft. - The wings are protected by ableed-airanti-icing system.
Altitude Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
Maximum Speed: 4,400 mph
Range: 2,486 n m
Take-Off Distance: 5,230 ft.
Landing Distance: 2,984 ft.
Payload: 2,670 lb.
Refueling Time: 7.8 minutes

In other media

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Live-action films

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Batman('89) andBatman Forever

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The Batwing appears inBatman(1989) and Batman Forever. It is destroyed in the former film, but rebuilt and upgraded. Both models of the plane were created with miniature effects.

InBatman,the Batwing was designed byAnton Furstand Julian Caldow and constructed by the John Evans special effects team atPinewood Studios.Five models were created, with only one in full-scale. A full-size segment of the cockpit was created in front of a blue-screen set for close-up shots ofMichael Keatonpiloting the craft.[14]The Batplane's redesign inForeverwas devised by Barbara Ling and Matt Codd and has a ribbed body and tail fin similar to the Batmobile.[15][16]

This version of the Batplane appears inThe Flash,which ignores the events ofForeverandBatman & Robinand showcases more of its inner functions, including folding wings and rear seats with built-in parachutes.[17]

The Dark Knight Trilogy

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"The Bat" in the set ofThe Dark Knight Risesin June 2011

An entirely new version of the Batwing appears in the filmThe Dark Knight Rises,referred to simply as theBat.It is an unconventional, lightweightvolantor-like craft with a ventrally mounted rotor. Developed byLucius Fox,the Bat was originally intended for close-quarters urban military operations but instead becomes Batman's new primary vehicle.

The Bat was designed byNathan Crowley,who based it on theHarrier jump jet,Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey,andBoeing AH-64 Apache.[18]Chris Corboulddescribed the Bat's size and shape as presenting a major challenge for filming due toChristopher Nolan's emphasis on practical effects overcomputer-generated imagery.The Bat was variously supported by wires and mounted on a purpose-built vehicle with hydraulic controls to simulate movement.[18][19][20]

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

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The Batplane appears in the 2016 filmBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Here it is shown as a lightweightVTOLaircraft armed with machine guns and missiles, with a function that allows Alfred to remotely assume control.

The Batplane was largely rendered via CGI byScanline VFX,with only its cockpit being physical. It was modeled after theNorthrop Grumman X-47Band theLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.[21]

Justice League

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The Batplane makes a cameo appearance inJustice League.

Animation

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Video games

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Other appearances

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Lego Batman

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Lego'sLego Batmanline includes one set which features an incarnation of the Batplane, though it goes by the name of "The Batwing" (7782 The Batwing: The Joker's Aerial Assault). The set is featured alongside the Joker's helicopter. Lego also made another set named (6863 Batwing battle over Gotham City) with the similar type of vehicles. In 2020, Lego produced the set 1989 Batwing, re-creating the vehicle from the 1989 film.

Six Flags Over Texas

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TheGotham Citysection ofSix Flags Over Texasincludes a child-focused ride called "Batwing", which consists of two passenger seats that go in circles while moving up and down.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Fleisher, Michael L. (1976).The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 1: Batman.Macmillan Publishing Co. pp.59–64.ISBN0-02-538700-6.Retrieved29 March2020.
  2. ^Fox, Gardner&Kane, Bob(w);Moldoff, Sheldon&Kane, Bob(a). "Batman Versus The Vampire, I",Detective Comics#31,DC Comics,September 1939.
  3. ^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019).DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle.DK Publishing. p. 61.ISBN978-1-4654-8578-6.
  4. ^Daneils, Les,Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes.Virgin Books,1995. p78.
  5. ^Jimenez, Phil(2008), "Bat Plane", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.),The DC Comics Encyclopedia,London:Dorling Kindersley,pp.34–35,ISBN978-0-7566-4119-1
  6. ^Finger, Bill(w),Kane, Bob&Robinson, Jerry(a). "The Giants of Hugo Strange",Batman#1,DC Comics,Spring 1940.
  7. ^abDaniels, Les,Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes.Virgin Books,1995. p78.
  8. ^"The Golden Age Batman Chronology".ourworld.cs.com.Archived fromthe originalon 5 August 2002.Retrieved15 January2022.
  9. ^"The Golden Age Batman Chronology".ourworld.cs.com.Archived fromthe originalon 17 August 2002.Retrieved15 January2022.
  10. ^Steranko, Jim (1970).The Steranko History of Comics, vol 1.Supergraphics. p. 49.
  11. ^Reed, David Vern(w);Sprang, Dick(p);Paris, Charles(i). "The Birth of Batplane II!",Batman#61,DC Comics,October–November 1950.
  12. ^"BATMAN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE DARK KNIGHT".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-09-24.Retrieved2014-03-05.
  13. ^Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight:ISBN0-7894-7865-X
  14. ^Classic Feature: The Making Of Batman
  15. ^The Batman Filmography
  16. ^Magid, Ron (July 1995). "Effects Help to Expand Batman's World".American Cinematographer.76(7).
  17. ^First Look at Michael Keaton's New Batwing in The Flash Movie Merch
  18. ^ab"The Dark Knight Rises Production Notes"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 6, 2012.RetrievedJuly 5,2012.
  19. ^"'Dark Knight Rises': Batwing First Look! ".MTV. August 15, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 23, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 25,2012.
  20. ^"New Images of The Bat in The Dark Knight Rises".Superhero Hype!.June 14, 2012.RetrievedJune 23,2012.
  21. ^BATMAN V SUPERMAN – DAWN OF JUSTICE: Bryan Hirota – VFX Supervisor – Scanline VFX,Art of VFX
  22. ^"WarnerMedia AnnouncesBatwheelsCast ".Animation World Network.September 13, 2021.RetrievedDecember 6,2024.
  23. ^"BATWING - Six Flags over Texas".
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