MOC: Batman's The Tumbler

[ER0L]

Hi everybody,

this is my first post in this subforum, nice to be here. I am a minifig scale car builder (mainly 7w) who has posted most of his MOCs in the Town subforum.

"Got to get me one of those!" That was what I thought when I saw Zeto's Übertumbler some months ago. But I didn't have the building abilities at that time. Now I thought I should give it a try since the Tumbler is one of the coolest movie vehicles around.

Concept:

- It should fit 2 figs (Batman and Rachel).

- It should have the typical front wheel suspension.

- It should be functional and playable since the Tumbler is an action vehicle.

- It should have no or only a few visible studs since the smooth surface is a typical aspect of the vehicle.

- The body should consist rather of tiles than of bricks.

Features:

- openable hatch

- rear suspension (live axle with spring)

- independent suspension of the front wheels (unsprung)

- steering (no real function, for presentation purposes only, some parts must be added)

- interior (with batarang holder!)

Credits and References:

- Zeto Vince (overall design, idea of tilting the backbone to get the typical angle, modular design)

- _Tiler (overall design, some details)

- Brent Waller (overall design)

- Pellaeon (some details, I changed the rear wheels when I saw his Tumbler ;-)

Many thanks to my dear friend Philipp (Brucewaynelego-Toyshansolo) who helped me out with some very important parts.

Thanks for looking. C&C welcome.

[Takua Nui]

Good MOC. I like how the hood lifts up to reveal two seats. How come you can put two seats in a vehicle that small, but Lego can't? The one things I wish you'd included was a windscreen, so that you don't see directly though the window.

[JFAWWE]

I wish Lego would make something this size. I also checked out your Flickr page and really like your Interceptor.

[riddler]

Nice work, I wish Lego could make something that tiny,that detailed! Quick question:why give rachel a yellow head and B atman a flesh tone? I understand that you may not have many licensed heads, but the mix looks... odd just saying. It still looks great!

[ER0L]

Good MOC. I like how the hood lifts up to reveal two seats. How come you can put two seats in a vehicle that small, but Lego can't? The one things I wish you'd included was a windscreen, so that you don't see directly though the window.

Many thanks Takua Nui! - Concerning the windscreen(s) I didn't find a solution for this so far.

I wish Lego would make something this size. I also checked out your Flickr page and really like your Interceptor.

Thanks a lot JFAWWE! Glad you like the Interceptor, too, it's my most successful MOC on MOCpages so far ...

Nice work, I wish Lego could make something that tiny,that detailed! Quick question:why give rachel a yellow head and B atman a flesh tone? I understand that you may not have many licensed heads, but the mix looks... odd just saying. It still looks great!

Many thanks riddler! I didn't have the impression that my Tumbler is that tiny but it seems to fit quite well into the Batman theme (the vehicles seem to be larger than the normal town ones). - Concerning the fig I admit that I didn't care too much about it (don't remember Rachel wearing a tennis dress, too ;-). The reason is that I only own a few female minifigs, and after purchasing a very expensive Batman and a lot of parts I thought this would do - which was obviously wrong I will surely change that, hints concerning a suitable Rachel welcome!

[Solscud007]

Very interesting moc. I understand the way you made it bu I too feel like he should be enclosed fully.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

I like that you added functions such as suspension. However, when you press it against the surface, doesn't the bottom part touch the ground?

Very well overall. I'd also have preferred if you made some windows and closed the interior, but I understand it can be difficult to add to your design.

[ER0L]

Very interesting moc. I understand the way you made it bu I too feel like he should be enclosed fully.

Thanks a lot Solscud007. - You rather think in terms of brick-built Tumblers like the one Lego did themselves. This concept is different, but there will be better builders than me who will combine all this AND windows all around

I like that you added functions such as suspension. However, when you press it against the surface, doesn't the bottom part touch the ground?

Very well overall. I'd also have preferred if you made some windows and closed the interior, but I understand it can be difficult to add to your design.

Many thanks johnnyvgoode. - Sure it touches the ground but why should you do so? Btw. the armored bottom of the Tumbler touches a lot of things in the movie, roofs of buildings and cars for instance ...

I just add two more pics: 1. front wheel suspension 2. street scene with two batmen. Thanks for looking.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

Many thanks johnnyvgoode. - Sure it touches the ground but why should you do so? Btw. the armored bottom of the Tumbler touches a lot of things in the movie, roofs of buildings and cars for instance ...

You're welcome. Oh! Well, I would have tried to add a bit more distance between the bottom and the ground, but that's just a matter of personal taste. It looks great anyways.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Its is great. How many pieces did you used?

[JackJonespaw]

This is a great version of my favorite Batman vehicle! Nice job! This is one of the best Tumblers I've seen yet!

[HawkLord]

Really great look. My only suggestion (and it's a small one) is that you might use a couple angled blocks on the back of the roof because it just looks alittle too flat compared to the rest of the vehicle. In movie pics of the Tumbler, the roof isn't completely flat, it has some small vents or raised sections.

However, that's really just a nit-picking concern, as it's really a well done piece.

[Solscud007]

Wow. Seeing the working suspension is really neat. Is it possible to get a LDD version?

[ER0L]

Its is great. How many pieces did you used?

Thank you very much Bilbo! - I must admit, I have no idea.

This is a great version of my favorite Batman vehicle! Nice job! This is one of the best Tumblers I've seen yet!

Many thanks JackJonespaw. Glad you like it that much!

Really great look. My only suggestion (and it's a small one) is that you might use a couple angled blocks on the back of the roof because it just looks alittle too flat compared to the rest of the vehicle. In movie pics of the Tumbler, the roof isn't completely flat, it has some small vents or raised sections.

However, that's really just a nit-picking concern, as it's really a well done piece.

Many thanks Hawkman. - There are indeed some intakes or something at the backend of the roof, but it didn't work out here due to construction aspects. In fact the roof was one of the most challenging parts of the build because there must be some room for the heads underneath the tiles AND the whole thing must be stable. But I know what you mean, maybe there is a different solution.

Wow. Seeing the working suspension is really neat. Is it possible to get a LDD version?

Many thanks Solscud007. There is a video on Flickr now which shows the working of the suspension still better. - Concerning LDD: No, I am sorry. I once tried to use it, but it doesn't meet my building purposes (it tells you if the parts fit or not, but it doesn't tell you how stable the whole thing is). What I can do is post a breakdown since I am building a second one.

You're welcome. Oh! Well, I would have tried to add a bit more distance between the bottom and the ground, but that's just a matter of personal taste. It looks great anyways.

I have improved the air intakes which were a little unstable. Now there is more ground clearance, as you can see here:

[Edit] I have extended the wheelbase of the Tumbler for one stud. This has some advantages:

• There are small intakes on the roof now (@Hawkman ).
  
• There is enough room for movable flaps.
  

So I'd like to add another photo of the actual Tumbler. If you want to see the flaps in action, there is another video on Flickr.

[/Edit]

Edited May 28, 2012 by ER0L

[HawkLord]

Those are the exact bricks I was thinking for the roof intakes. Very well done! :thumbup:

[natesroom]

Awesome MOC!