Editing Kitbashing

{{Short description|Creation of a new model by combining elements of multiple commercial kit models}}
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[[Image:Kitbashed-model-locomotive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Commercial model of an [[EMD SW9]] (left) kitbashed into a 'lookalike' of a [[Victorian Railways Y class (diesel)|Victorian Railways Y class]] (right)]]

'''Kitbashing''' or '''model bashing''' is the practice of making a new [[scale model]] by taking pieces out of kits. These pieces may be added to a custom project or to another kit. For [[Model maker|professional modelmakers]], kitbashing is used to create concept models for detailing movie [[special effects]]. Commercial model kits are a ready source of "detailing", providing any number of identical, mass-produced components that can be used to add fine detail to an existing model. Professionals often kitbash to build prototype parts which are then recreated with lightweight materials.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.space1999.org/features/ask_brianjohnson/2001-11a.html| title=Features: Ask Brian Johnson| website=Space:1999.org}}</ref>

== Purposes, history, and methods ==
For the hobbyist, kitbashing saves time that would be spent [[scratch building]] an entire model. Hobbyists may kitbash to create a model of a subject (real<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.samolet.co.uk/s37model.html| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805133454/http://www.samolet.co.uk/s37model.html| archivedate=August 5, 2009| title=C-37 Berkoot| website=The Russian Aviation Research Page}}</ref> or imaginary) for which there is not a commercial kit.

Although it has a long history, kitbashing came to the attention of a wider public via the fine modelwork seen in TV series such as ''[[Thunderbirds (TV series)|Thunderbirds]], [[Star Trek]]'' and the films ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' and ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]''. Many of the spaceship models created for these programs incorporated details from tank, speedboat and car kits. Another example is the [[Batmobile (Batman Begins)#Christopher Nolan trilogy|Batmobile]] from the 2005 film ''[[Batman Begins]]'', as seen in the special features disc of the film's DVD.

It is not uncommon for parts to be cut and filed into shapes leaving gaps that are later filled with [[putty]] to hide defects. Textural details known as [[greeble]]s may be added to enhance a model.

Sometimes, kitbashing has been used to create works of [[art]]. The [[Toronto]] sculptor [[Kim Adams]] has used HO gauge freight cars, containers, detail parts, figures and scenery to create artistic landscapes. American artist [[Kris Kuksi]] also uses kitbashing to detail his maximalist sculptures.

== Genres ==
[[Image:HO scale 44T USN 65-00044.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A center cab switcher made by [[Bachmann Industries|Bachmann]] has parts added to look more realistic.]]

A popular venue for kitbashing is diecast emergency vehicles such as fire apparatuses. Kitbashers often use models from manufacturers such as Code 3 and Corgi{{citation-needed|date=November 2023}}. The kitbash in such cases can be as simple as painting or redecaling a model, or as complex as tearing the model down and adding scratch-built components, followed by custom decals.

An important aspect of kitbashing in model railroading is the reconfiguration of structure kits, most often to fit the geometry of a specific space. Walls can be shortened or lengthened, and corner angles can be changed, to fit a given location on the layout. Another application is to use the wall parts to create a "flat", or shallow relief model to be displayed against the backdrop. In this configuration the parts for the rear wall of a structure, often an industrial building, can instead be abutted to the front to double the length of the building. Plain sheet styrene or other material is typically added to the rear to strengthen the resulting model.

In [[model rocketry]], kitbashing refers simply to using the pieces from one kit to build a different model. This is typically used to create unusual or especially complex models.

With [[radio-controlled aircraft]], such kitbashing can be done to kitted aircraft as they are being built, or, more often, to so-called "almost-ready-to-fly" (ARF) aircraft to change their appearance or flight characteristics to suit the owner. This can even extend to "plans-bashing", where a plans-built model has its construction plans partially re-drawn by the builder, either by hand or with [[computer-aided design]] software before any part of the model's [[airframe]] has been fabricated from raw materials.

==See also==
* [[Mashup (disambiguation)]]
* [[Greeble]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Scale model}}
{{Special Effects}}

[[Category:Scale modeling]]
[[Category:Special effects]]
[[Category:Toy collecting]]