1/50 The Dark Knight Batmobile
Asst. L8788/M7099-0980
The Tumbler has already been released several times in several scales: For Batman Begins we got 1/64 and 1/18 scale versions of it in both camouflage and black paint schemes, and so far we've seen a few 1/64 versions for The Dark Knight. Hot Wheels also released this Tumbler as part of their first wave of 1/50 Batmobiles.
Packaging
The 1/50 Bat-vehicle series are all packaged on similar blister cards, about 7.25" (18.5cm) high and 5.25" (13.5cm) wide, with a 2" (5.5cm) deep blister. Although the cards are constructed the same way, they are all unique to the vehilce inside. For this car, the logo at the top of the card is the TDK-style "exploding bat" first seen in the teaser trailer for the film. "The Dark Knight Batmobile" is written across the front of the tray in the bottom of the blister. The card back has a general blurb about the line, a stylized photo of the replica, and a second blurb specific to this car:
"First introduced in Batman Begins, this version of the Batmobile continues to conquer evil in its latest film, The Dark Knight. Peeking out from under a tarp at Wayne Enterprise's Applied Sciences Division, Bruce Wayne discovers a scrapped military vehicle called the "Tumbler" that would eventually become the Batmobile for The Dark Knight."
(Technically the project was "scrapped," not the vehicle itself. This description sort of sounds like the Tumbler was a half-recycled basket case when Wayne nabbed it)
The rest of the cars from this wave are printed near the bottom (this wave features the BTAS car, a comic book car, this car, the TV car, and the TV Batcycle).
Casting/Paint
As is typical for this line, the casting quality of this car is superb. The panels all fit together flawlessly, and feature sharply done detail work for the panels and controls. It really looks like a miniature version of their 1/18 casting, right down to the transparent side intakes with the printed grid patterns.
Unlike the rest of the Batmobiles in this line, the Tumbler is flat black rather than gloss black. That means that Hot Wheels couldn't fall back on clearcoat to hide any minor casting errors, so the high casting quality is especially impressive here. Other colors used on the body include silver for the forward control arms, and gold for the wheels, hubs, rear control arms, and ports. The engine is a dark chrome piece - a little flashy for the Tumbler, but it looks great with a sharply detailed exhaust nozzle and some plumbing underneath.
Features/Accessories
There are no opening panels or special features, but the wheels all spin freely and the car rolls easily. In fact, the wheels are very free rolling, much more so than the other Batmobiles. Be careful not to park this one too close to an unguarded shelf edge.
Accuracy
If anything, this is even better than their 1/18 Tumbler: this version has side windows. There are also quite a few clever details to help it along. For example, the roof flaps are cast into the roof, but the edges are painted to make them look like they're separate pieces above the roof. It's simple, but very effective. The only downside is that there's no interior. But given the scale and the small windows, I can forgive that omission.
Overall
This may be the best Batmobile in this first wave. All the cars look great, but there always seems to be a qualifier: the '66 car looks great, but the antlers and rocket tubes are a bit off; the BTAS car looks great, but the proportions are a little off; the comic car looks great, but it's not based on a specific comic car. There are no "buts" with the Tumbler: it's simply an excellent replica. Get one at your first opportunity.
Nice review. That is a really cool leooking version of the tumbler. I have been tempted to pick up something a little bigger than the 1/64 hot wheels I have, but have just put it off.
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