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The Joker's (Jack Nicholson) light-up 1:24 scale helicopter model miniature from Tim Burton's Batman. The Joker mocked Batman (Michael Keaton) from his helicopter after the superhero blew up Axis Chemicals. Later, one of the maniacal villain's henchmen used his boss' helicopter to help him escape from a ledge high up on the Gotham Cathedral.

Multiple model versions of the Joker's helicopter were made at various scales for these sequences. Derek Meddings, the British special effects legend known for his work on Gerry Anderson's "Supermarionation" projects, the James Bond film franchise, and the Superman films starring Christopher Reeve, oversaw the model miniature sequences as the film's visual effects supervisor.

This smaller model, a to-scale miniature of an Aerospatiale SA 341 Gazelle, is made primarily of plastic with wooden rotors and painted lime green and white. Decals of the Joker laughing in front of a yellow and red target adorn each side, and three wooden seats finished in grey are located within the cockpit, which is equipped with two figures. Wiring designed to power the lights and possibly the rotors is installed beneath the rear pilot seat. Following production, the chopper underwent sympathetic restoration to fix the previously-sagging rotor blades and to return functionality to an LED installed on its left side. The light is now powered via an included control box.

The exterior of this model is intentionally distressed and dirtied by production to appear well-used in flight. It exhibits a missing rear blade. Dimensions: 49.75 cm x 28 cm x 12.75 cm (19.5" x 11" x 5")

Additional Provenance: A Certificate of Authenticity from Warner Brothers.

Contains electronics; see electronics notice in the Terms and Conditions.

Estimate: £10,000 - 20,000 US

View all lots from BATMAN (1989)

View all lots from BATMAN - ALL ITEMS