I should have mentioned earlier in my Tumbler build research and preparation postings about the building, use, and maintenance of resource file folders. They will save you many hours of independent searching when you find you need something in the progression of your build.

RESOURCE FILES: In building my Tumbler one thing that has been very useful to me is my Tumbler specific resource files. I started building them during my research period and still add to them as I find additional Tumbler relevant resources. The best time to start building your Bat Vehicle Resource files is when you start your Bat Vehicle research. As you research you will find along the way embedded references to tools, fabrication supplies, books, tires, rims, axles, suspensions, bearings, specialty labor, engines, transmissions, etc., etc…… The first resource that most will find are references to the tires, not the rims, they are custom made. My resource file folders are set up under the headings of TOOLS AND FABRICATION SUPPLIES-example: welders, cutters and expendables, TIRES, RIMS, AND AXLES-example: Interco tires, SUSPENSION PARTS AND BEARINGS-example: front suspension arm bracket bearings, SPECIALTY LABORS-example steering work, CUSTOM PART MAKERS-example: custom rim makers, MACHINE SHOP SERVICES-example: lathe and mill work, ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, AND POWERTRAINS-example: Summit Racing and Jegs, and BODY, PAINT, AND GLASS-example: primer and weather stripping. I also keep all my operator manuals for my welders and other tools in a folder.  vertigo

Yes, it is possible to build the Tumbler from the outside shell first, in the same way that some ancient ship builders did. Build the outside body and then add in the framing and supporting structures. Actually not as hard as one would imagine. The Tumbler in particular with its intersecting straight lines and triangular shapes readily lends itself to a method called GEOMETRIC INTERSECTING LOGIC. An excellent example is Shaggy's 1/2 scale Tumbler body build. Read Shaggy's posts to see this form of logic in action. vertigo