Batplane



Official Name: The Batplane Other names: The Batwing; The Bat-Gyro; Whirly-Bat Model: Batplane I; Batplane II; Batplane III Version: Batplane I (model unknown); Batplane II: W4 Wraith fighter; Batplane III: Wayne Aviation SlipStream

Origin
Taking advantage of the resources of WayneTech's various divisons, notably Wayne Aerospace, Bruce Wayne was able to design modified versions of commercial products for use in his crime-fighting career as Batman. Over the course of several years, there have been numerous versions of the Batplane model. 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.

Lead Designer: Wayne Aerospace Additional Designers: Additional designers unknown Place of Creation: WayneTech, Gotham City First Appearance: (Pre-Crisis, Earth-Two) Batman #1; (Post-Crisis) unknown



History
History unknown.

Previous Owners: Bruce Wayne; Jean-Paul Valley Current Owner: Bruce Wayne

Characteristics
Dimensions:
 * Height: 14.5 ft.
 * Length: 57.7 ft.
 * Wingspan: 47.6 ft. - The wings are protected by a bleed-air anti-icing system.

Weight (unloaded, including fuel): xxx lbs (xxx kg) Weight (at maximum capacity): xxx lbs (xxx kg) Maximum Cargo: xxx lbs (xxx kg)

Miscellaneous
The following specifications apply to the current model, the Wayne Aviation SlipStream.

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 On-Board Equipment: No known on-board equipment. On-Board Weaponry: The original Earth-Two version of the Batplane, as well as the Batwing version from the Batman movie were equipped with machine guns.

Trivia

 * In the first Batman movie, the Batplane was known as the "Batwing". Batman used it to gather up a supply of over-sized helium balloons filled with the Joker's deadly Smilex gas. He then used the Batwing's machine guns in an effort to stop the Joker, but the villain produced an extremely high-powered handgun, which blew the craft out of the sky, forcing it to crash onto the steps of Gotham Cathedral.


 * Batman once staged a fake Batplane crash in Gorilla City, in order to rescue two scientists, John and Mary Tate, who had been kidnapped by Gorilla Grodd.

Recommended Readings

 * Batman
 * Detective Comics

Related Articles

 * Batgyro
 * Whirly-Bat