Summary

Re-creation from 1966 film "Batman: The Movie." Based on period-correct 1967 Bell 47G-3B1 helicopter. Refinished in Batman livery for owner. Tail rotor autographed by actor Burt Ward. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection. Sold on Bill of Sale.

Details

This 1967 Bell 47 "Batcopter" is a re-creation of what was seen in the "Batman" television series that aired from 1966 to 1968. Given the Wayne family's industrial interests included defense contractor Wayne Aerospace, it is logical that Batman would become an early adopter of helicopters in the fight against Gotham City's criminal underworld. Dating back to Detective Comics Issue #171 and "The Menace of the Giant Birds" in May 1951, the Batcopter joined the Caped Crusader's fleet, followed by the Whirly-Bat one-man micro-copter and Flying Batcave mother ship. Following the 1964 hiring of Julius Schwartz, who led the revival of the DC Comics Batman universe and hired artist Carmine Infantino, who developed a new, sleeker look for the Batman franchise, the Batman TV series aired in 1966 and took to the big screen that July with the theatrical release of "Batman: The Movie." An enhanced movie production budget expanded Batman's vehicle fleet with the Batcycle, Batboat and Batcopter, in addition to the already-iconic Batmobile. A Bell 47 G3B was leased from National Helicopter Service by 20th Century Fox exclusively for the Batman movie with the arrangement, costing Fox $750 a day for five days from April 7-11, 1966. Modifications included red paint and graphics, including a bat's head painted on the front and Batman symbols on each side. Canvas-covered tubular frames imitated bat wings and proved dangerous, reducing the rotor's lifting power by nearly half. Filming of the ocean scenes took place at Marineland of the Pacific in Palos Verdes, CA, with most shots from a distance to conceal that Harry Haus, not Adam West, was playing Batman for the airborne sequences. Hubie Kerns performed the stunts, including climbing the rope ladder attached to the helicopter while kicking an exploding shark. After its return to National, the helicopter was returned to standard form and repainted, covered the 1968 Super Bowl, and then returned to Batcopter guise, sans wings, and upgraded for continued flight use. Bearing Aircraft Serial Number 3545 and FAA registration tail number N31405, this 1967 Bell 47 G3B1 helicopter was acquired by Dr. Berkowitz in 2013 for conversion to a static Batcopter replica. Finished in red and white with requisite Bat logos, this Batcopter replica is unfettered by the canvas batwings that caused so much on-set havoc for the movie Batcopter. This Batcopter replica from the Dr. Stewart Berkowitz Collection features the signature of actor Burt Ward, who portrayed Batman's "Boy Wonder" sidekick, Robin. From The Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection. **SOLD ON BILL OF SALE**