Reviewing Fanhome’s 1989 Batmobile 1:8 Scale Build-Up Subscription Stages 3-5

The second package in my Fanhome 1989 Batmobile Build-Up subscription has arrived.* This 1:8 scale model meticulously recreates the iconic vehicle from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film with all the sleek styling and high tech gadgets that make it Batman’s ultimate crime fighting tool.

The finished model will clock in at an incredible 29.5” long, consisting of diecast metal and ABS components. Just like in the film, it will have retractable side wings and roof canopy, a functioning front turbine, a realistic dashboard, rotating wheels, and an opening trunk. There will also be retractable machine guns, a disc launcher, and a grapnel. A remote control will trigger LED lighting and sound effects. 

Let’s get into build stages 3-5:

Build Stage 3

This stage’s PDF magazine starts off with an article on casting Michael Keaton as Batman. There was a huge buzz around casting an “every man” in the role of a superhero, and Keaton himself had to be sold on the idea. He had just played an irreverent ghost in Beetlejuice and a recovering drug addict in Clean and Sober. He was not super excited to take on another risky role, but Burton sold the idea to both his reluctant star and to the producers.

“Our Batman is not someone from another planet with superpowers,” said Burton of the casting choice. “It would have been very easy for us to find a big guy with a square jaw, but if a guy is six feet tall, has muscles of steel, and is incredibly handsome, why would he need to wear an armored Batsuit and carry an arsenal of weapons and high-tech gadgets?”

Fans, of course, lost their everloving minds criticizing the decision … until the film came out. Keaton was the perfect choice to play the dichotomic role.  

The build stage involves assembling the Batmobile’s reactor exhaust. There are some small pieces involved, but nothing nearly as complicated as the inside of Lord Vader’s helmet on my other current Fanhome build. It’s important to note that all the pieces of this stage that appear to be metal are, in fact, metal. Those silver pieces are all diecast. 

Build Stage 4

Stage 4’s digital magazine tackles the other major casting for Batman, his arch nemesis, the Joker. Jack Nicholson’s name being attached to the project early was enough to get the wheels rolling for the ambitious film. Nicholson accepted the role after just one conversation with Burton. 

Nicholson applied his usual intensity and complex character study to his performance. He agreed to undergo the laborious make-up sessions that lasted more than two hours. He willingly agreed to wear the outlandish costumes. He had one demand, however. He absolutely refused to wear the bright green wig the costume department had procured for him. Burton had intended for Joker’s hair to be much brighter, and much bigger. 

The fourth build stage does have a lot of wonky little pieces that fit together in very imaginative ways. That being said, assembling the dash board, control panels, and steering wheel of this model is still heads and tails easier than the inside of that blasted Vader helmet. The order of assembly and having access to all sides of the pieces during assembly and placement makes a big difference.

As a cool little feature, Fanhome included the battery and battery case that will eventually power several of the electronics so that I could see my little dashboard all lit up. This is one of the things they are very good at. In every kit that I’ve assembled so far, there’s something in the first couple packages that gives the builder a little sneak peek at something really cool for way later down the line. 

For the Batmobile, it’s a lit up dashboard. For E.T., they gave me his right forefinger with the LED and battery to make it light up. On the Vader build, I assembled his light saber a few boxes back. It’s a small thing, and easily overlooked, but on these builds, which can take up to two years to complete, it’s a light at the end of the tunnel, a small motivation to remind you what is coming.

Build Stage 5

Stage 5’s digital booklet features a spotlight on Detective Comics #400’s Sports Coupe Batmobile. I actually don’t know that I’ve ever seen this version before. It’s more Bond than Bat, with the sleek styling of a 911, and most of the gadgets hidden. The only thing that screams Batman is the massive silhouette of the Dark Knight’s cowl on the hood livery. 

In this build stage, I assembled the Batmobile’s turbine engine. There are very detailed parts inside this turbine that will never again see the light of day. They’re in there. I know they’re in there because I put them in there, but there is absolutely no practical reason the turbine needs twin turbine fans inside a sealed turbine housing. None, except that it again shows Fanhome’s dedication to the details. A full-sized turbine engine has turbine fans inside, so this one does as well. 

*Fanhome provides this subscription to me free of charge for the purposes of review.