Even More Kit Bashing - Even More Models in Thunderbirds

This video analyzes some of the models that were kit-bashed, or 'toy-bashed', for the Gerry Anderson Television series 'Thunderbirds'. Mostly secondary or background or vehicles that are nonetheless part of the futuristic world.

Most of the material featured in the video is based on analysis and research. Where available documented behind the scenes information has been referenced. But there is not an abundance of this. So this is largely hypothesis. Or intelligent guesses. I would love to hear from anyone who has additional information.

Thunderbirds was made in 1965 and features thrilling stories of danger, heroism and innovative rescue. The fantastic events are told with realistic puppets and model vehicles to spectacular effect. The show is a classic.
The special effects were a massive ingredient in the show's success - the Thunderbird craft themselves were stars in their own right.
Derek Meddings headed up a large, talented team of model-makers, cameramen, effects technicians and assistants.

This is the 5th in a series on the models and vfx in this series.
Girder Bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__90Sm0gfYM&t=27s

Caterpillar Tracks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9OZy97PIeE&t=203s

Kit Bashing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN77RPBVUjY&t=461s

More Kit Bashing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHpn97SVsmA&t=9s

...and the focus of this video includes some unlikely toys.

What is Kit Bashing?
Kit bashing is a term used to describe models detailed with, or constructed largely from, a selection of of-the-shelf plastic model kit parts.
This technique was pioneered by Derek Meddings and his team on the Gerry Anderson tvs shows and the scope of the stories seen in Thunderbirds really brought it to a peak. It was a key factor in creating the rich and believable world. The technique was adopted for the spaceship models in '2001: A Space Odyssey' and later 'Star Wars' and pretty much every sci-fi movie that followed.
But it started here.

This is a video I made following an original kit-bashed model fighter plane.
Kit bashing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-emGYxmLmHk&t=1s

The Century 21 Films channel has some truly astonishing videos including footage of 'Thunderbirds' from recently discovered 60 year old film cans! Some pure gold with never before seen footage!
There are several videos which analyze and assess some of the original 25 minute versions of certain episodes with footage, scripts and production notes. Fascinating to anyone with an interest in the shows or film-making and editing in general. Great stuff!
Many among this team made the excellent documentary film about the Anderson puppet shows 'Filmed In Supermarionation'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y064NsKL87U

In a nutshell, Thunderbirds was conceived as a 25 minute show (like its predecessors Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray), but upon reviewing rhe pilot episode. Lew Grade - whose company, ITC, was paying the bills - declared that 'this is a feature film and all the episodes should be 1 hour'. With the series well underway - 9 episodes had already been shot and were in some state of completion - there was a lot of additional writing and filming to be done. Whole sub-plots were added and exisitng action expanded. Every episode was now twice as long! Other episodes were rewritten to fill an hour. This lead to greater drama. More interesting characters and more complex stories.

Scalemates is an excellent website that details 'every plastic model kit ever produced'. Tracking re-releases updated box-art and the continuity of original molds shared with differed manufacturers over the years. Some great information.
https://www.scalemates.com/

some other links of interest
Marx ;chopper' toy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyvF8mggItQ

Johnny Express Reefer Truck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PBq2DckY20&t=5s

There are other film and model related videos on my channel including a number on imaginary, or 'What If....' model kits that I wish had been made when I was growing up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX5B1TUUOA0&t=303s

Website
Here is a link to my website which features original artwork. Commissions are available.
www.matteline.com