Batman's Batwing

The Batplane, later known as the Batwing, is the fictional aircraft for the comic book superhero
BATMAN. The vehicle was introduced in "Batman Versus The Vampire, I", published in Detective
Comics #31 in 1939, a story which saw Batman travel to continental Europe. In this issue it was
referred to as the "Batgyro", The aircraft designed specifically for the 1989 Batman movie, was
designed by Anton Furst and constructed as a model by Derek Meddings. The vehicle was deliberately
designed after the sickle-shape of the movie's Bat-symbol. At least five models were created of the
aircraft at various sizes and scales, with only one (seen burning on the Cathedral steps) created in full-
scale. Other models included an 8ft, fully automated model, a 2ft model and a 1" model. A full-size
segment of the cockpit was created in front of a blue-screen set for close-up shots of Michael Keaton
piloting the craft.
The Batwing's crash sequence was shot on a 1/12 scale miniature set and the aircraft model used was
created out of pewter to ensure that it would break-up on impact... "Batman is on his strafing run at the
Joker, gattling guns a blazing and rockets a firing, never the less, the Joker pulls his pistol (with a four
foot barrel on it) from his pocket and with "One Shot" brings down the Batwing.
"Now THAT'S Hollywood !"
Although the notion of Batman possessing and flying a Bat-themed aircraft has been around in comics
since 1939, the Batman 1989 film first introduced the classification of "Batwing". The movie's Batwing
was also the first of any Bat-aircraft to be physically shaped after the Bat-emblem to such a degree.
Following its appearance, comics and other media began to adopt the classification and excentric shape
of the vehicle onto other Bat-aircraft; usually one-man fighter crafts piloted by Batman himself.
Fictional Altitude Ceiling: 60,000 ft. Fictional Maximum Speed: 4,400 mph.