The Batplane[1] refers to any of multiple aircraft operated by Batman for crime fighting purposes. He has used at least two different designs: a smaller, fighter-like version;[2] and a larger model with a cargo bay, capable of exoatmospheric flight.[3][4]
Designs[]
Smaller model: The fighter-like model has variable geometry wings,[5] is capable of hovering[1] and vertical take-off and landing,[5] is armed with guns, and is able to deploy chemicals such as herbicides.[2] It is able to fly in extreme cold weather that would ground commercial air traffic.[1]Batman has used at least two planes of this model. One was destroyed fighting the Injustice League's plant creatures.[2][1]
Larger model: The larger Batplane has a broad, fixed wing design. It has an internal cargo bay with drop hatch in additon to its cockpit. This model is capable of exoatmospheric flight, is equipped with deployable camera/sensor units,[3] is armed with energy weapons, and can be remotely controlled by Oracle.[4] The cockpit can be ejected from the main body of the craft.[3]
During a battle between the Justice League and several of the Injustice League's Kobra-Venom enhanced plant creatures, Batman piloted the smaller Batplane and used it to drop a herbicide on the plants. Eventually, the Batplane was hit by one of the plants, forcing Batman to eject himself from the cockpit, leaving the Batplane to spiral out of control.[2]
Within a telepathic training simulation for the Team, Batman took the Batplane into Earth orbit to confront alien invaders. The plane was destroyed.[3]
Batman contacted the Cave while he was en route to a flying ice fortress. He used the plane's hover mode to get close enough to board the giant airship.[1]
Batman flew the larger Batplane to the island of Santa Prisca with Metamorpho and Katana. Oracle took remote control of the plane, and the trio dropped onto the island. Later, after they were discovered, Oracle opened fire on Bane's gun emplacements and the heroes retreated aboard the Batplane.[4]