How to Kitbash Structures (Modeling & Painting) Paperback – November 12, 2012

The contents of this book cover a variety of topics such as depots, towers and freight houses, bridges, line-side structures industrial plants and residential and retail buildings. An interesting point that Tony Koester makes is to look beyond the label on the box as a suitable structure may be lurking within, that has very little to do with that label, in his words, a Soybean plant may be hidden in a cement plant box! .. Food for thought!All the discussion on selecting an appropriate kit are well laid out and the considerations in adjusting the models footprint, era and stylistic façades to your specific needs are well planned. They are thought provoking and worthy insights aiding in the decision as to whether to kitbash or scratcbuild, or even combine the two techniques. And this is where the book begins to lack..The methodology of actually how to go about, the "how to" of the kitbashing process is not covered well at all. Whilst a superficial discussion accompanies most of the models and how it was constructed, it lacks the planning, cutting considerations, placement of parts and modification of these parts to construct a believable and appropriate, era specific, regional structure. It assumes as a model builder you already have some of these techniques under you belt and thus can convert the discussions into practice without some guidance. For example, the bridges section does not show how to kitbash a bridge, it only discusses the process. Thus for advanced modellers, its OK, but, this section is nigh on useless to the beginning modeller. If you need to understand the process of kitbashing, and are required to develop the practical skills, Art Currens book  Kitbashing Ho Model Railroad Structures  is far more useful. It would have been better titled as "Inspiration and application" of Kitbashing, rather than "How to"Nevertheless, the colour pictures abound in this book, and most are very well photographed. Ideas are plentiful and reading of Mr Koesters musing are always a pleasure....

I purchased this book to help me develop my skills in model railroad structure building and modifying. I learned a lot from this book and have given it a place of prominence on my model railroad bookshelf. The main thing I learned is to look beyond the photo and description on the box cover to see what else the enclosed building model could be made into through some creative techniques of kitbashing.

This book is nicely written and illustrated. However, a more relevant title might have been *WHAT* to consider as there are no specific steps or techniques that would actually reveal how to cut/chop, glue various materials and so forth.Still, the book gets 4 stars because at least the reader will have some thoughtful basis for considering what to kitbash to full their needs.

there seems to be a repete of info from other books. we need to be able to se some inside the book contents to better see if new info is there. also a how to in cutting and fiting for the new basher

If you are interested in bringing a scene to life, then this is a VERY GOOD BOOK to have.the old saying that "IT IS ALL IN THE DETAILS" is true and this book is a good way to do those details.

I agree with the other reviewers that this book covers the concept of kitbashing very well and is very nicely illustrated. However, I was very disappointed by the nearly complete lack of specific information on how one actually cuts, glues, paints, etc. kit components to accomplish the desired final structure. This deficiency was also pointed out by all the other reviewers. This is a "Concept" book rather than a true "Hands-on How To" book. If you are looking for a real "How To" book on constructing model structures you might want to consider, "Basic Structure Modeling for the Model Railroader", by Jeff Wilson, in which actual construction methods and techniques are covered.

I had not seen this book before so I was very happy to have found it. When I got it, it was like new condition and I received it in a very timely manner. Thank, you.

I haven't begun to bring my buildings to the finished results I am looking for. With more reading, and actual hands on, from this publication, I'll be more satisfied with my layout. The book is a treasure.

Thanks

Not Bad