Batplane
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The Batplane (or Batwing) is the fictional aircraft for the comic book superhero Batman.
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[edit] Background
Batman once maintained aircraft in his original Batcave. However, launching these planes so close to Wayne Manor's neighboring estates threatened to compromise Batman's secret identity. The Caped Crusader now "borrows" specially-modified jets and helicopters from Wayne Aerospace's business and military contracts.
Batplane I[1] and the Bat-Rocket favored Batman's signature look over sleek aerodynamics.
Batplane II[2][3] was a retooled Wayne Aeropsace W4 Wraith fighter that married style with substance.
[edit] Batplane III
Batplane III is a modified Wayne Aviation SlipStream ($46 million sans "extras"). It's detailed to resemble a standard mid-size corporate jet during take-offs and landings. Some of its features and capabilities are as follows:
- At cruising altitude (35,000-45,0000 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 approach supersonic.
- 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.
- Avionics include ergonomic "at-a-glance" viewing levels for all electronics and multifunction displays. The breakaway canopy allows for pilot/co-pilot emergency ejection. The reinforced acrylic glass canopy windows polarize at stealth altitude.
[edit] Specifications[4][5]
- Height: 14.5 ft.
- Length: 57.7 ft.
- Wingspan: 47.6 ft. - The wings are protected by a bleed-air anti-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
[edit] In other media
 The Mattel produced Batplane inspired by Batman Begins. |
 The Batwing as seen in Batman Forever. |
 The Batplane as as seen on Batman: The Animated Series. |
The Danish building toy company Lego's Lego Batman line 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 (comics)'s helicopter.
In the Batman-themed motion simulator ride Batman Adventure - The Ride in Warner Bros. Movie World, riders seemingly follow the Batplane in pursuit of Mr Freeze, Joker (comics) and Catwoman
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ BATMAN 1 ( Spr 40): This story was the first appearance of a fixed-wing Batplane, replacing the previous autogyro (and the only time in the comics the Batplane was armed with a machine gun!).
- ^ TEC 108 (2/46): Batman and Robin upgrade the Batplane to jet propulsion, adding at least “100 miles per hour” to its maximum speed. ?/DS
- ^ WF 25 (11-12/46): Batman and Robin equip the Batplane with engineer Frank Folland’s “aeraquamobile” devices, allowing the Batplane to travel on land and as a speedboat as well as an airplane. DC/WM
- ^ BATMAN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE DARK KNIGHT
- ^ Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight: ISBN 0-7894-7865-X
- ^ The Batwing, built by Visual Effects Supervisor Derek Meddings, made its maiden flight in Gotham City just to be shot down by the Joker. Although there were five different models of the sleek craft, it was never built in its entirety - had it been it would have had an approximately 35 ft (7,5 m) wingspan. There was an 8 ft. automated model, a 2 ft. model and a 1 model for the various lenses covering the action. In addition, there was a full-size segment of the cockpit for blue screen shooting with Michael Keaton as Batman in close-up during his climatic diving attack on Gotham main street and The Joker. The cockpit was state-of-the art technology, not dissimilar to the Batmobile interior with necessary tracking, homing and targeting devices. Comments Anton Furst: It's a jet aircraft. A fighter aircraft. Again, pure expressionism… the Batwing is actually developed from the Bat-Symbol, the sickle wings and all. So it's actually a component of the whole image of Batman. Batman had always flown an aerial assault vehicle, although in the comics it was called the Batplane. As a prelude to the Batman/ Joker final confrontation in Gotham Cathedral, the Batwing crash dive sequence was a memorable climax.
