Greeting KitHackers!

As we cruise toward the end of the year, we’re taking a victory lap to celebrate the most imaginative, high-flying, and wave-making creations from the past twelve months.

From planes that took creativity to new altitudes to boats that truly made a splash, and cars that hit the brakes on conventional designs, this showcase is a full-throttle tribute to your incredible builds. Let’s shift into high gear and revisit the standout models that steered their way into our workshop this year!

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3223572898
Excellent Kithacking on display, with deployable rockets and a sleek design - If you're one of the few who haven't subscribed then be sure to give it a look!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3225488817
Sleek plus it handles great - You'll be owning the skies in no time when you're in the cockpit of this Tomcat.


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3224379443
Resurfacing a fan favourite from the Sci-Fi competition - Lil Ani has never has so much fun!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3225885650
Great handling, with a simple yet effective design. Skipping around the bay is easy when you've got a Hydrofoil like this!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3227154709
For those that like to stick to the shadows, waiting for the perfect time to strike!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3227267088
Or, if you like a little (or a lot) of class when you sail the seven seas, this might be a better fit! Avast ye matey!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3224579808
They say red is the fastest colour, there's no better way to test that theory than by jumping in this!


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3248839486
With the power of electricity, you'll be unstoppable! ...Well, at least until the battery runs flat.


https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3289194902
Or, you can just trade it all for pure monster truck power!

As we wrap up this year’s final showcase, we want to thank each and every one of you for being part of the KitHack Model Club community.

Your creativity and passion have driven this game to incredible heights, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll build next year. From all of us here, we wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a fantastic New Year filled with inspiration, joy, and plenty of model-building fun.

Happy KitHacking!
HarvesteR & Curve Games

Follow us on Twitter (X), and join us on Discord!

* Fixed an issue that made the first tutorial impossible to complete.

* Fixed colliders, volumetrics and attach planes for new cockpits.
* Updated Vexwing stock plane with new cockpit, made it less prone to going into flat spins.

Greeting KitHackers!

We’ve got some out-of-this-world news! Felipe Falanghe, the visionary creator of Kerbal Space Program and the mastermind behind KitHack Model Club, will be hosting a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, December 10th on the r/SimplePlanes subreddit! 🚀

This is your chance to:
✨ Dive into Felipe’s creative process.
✨ Explore the inspirations behind KitHack Model Club.
✨ Ask burning questions about Kerbal Space Program or his journey in game development.

📅 When: Tuesday, December 10th

08:00 PT
11:00 ET
17:00 CET

📍 Where: Over on r/SimplePlanes

Whether you’re a fan of Felipe’s stellar past projects or you’re loving the creative world of KitHack Model Club, this AMA is a chance to connect with one of gaming’s most innovative developers.

Mark your calendars, prepare your questions, and get ready for an out-of-this-world discussion. See you there!

🚗✈️ Happy KitHacking,
The KitHack Model Club Team

Buckle up and prepare for impact—our Crash & Burn Update is here, and it’s bringing the heat! With explosive new features, fiery gameplay mechanics, and overhauled cockpits, this update is guaranteed to light a spark in your creativity.

But be warned: you’ll need to keep your cool as things might just go up in flames—literally! Whether you’re burning rubber, dodging heat blasts, or watching your rivals go out in a blaze of glory, this update has something for everyone who loves to build fast and play hard.

Here’s what’s fueling this firestorm of changes:

Your cockpits are now hotter than ever with massive upgrades:

• Fresh textures and materials add sleek style to most cockpit parts.
  
• Morphing handles let you resize and reshape cockpits for builds that fit just right.
  
• Outdated parts have been deprecated and replaced with better, more customizable options.
  
• A new bulkhead profile joins the lineup, adding more flexibility to your designs.
  
• Material appearances are now standardized for consistent lighting and color—though your vehicles may sport a slightly new look.
  
• Dive into FPV with moving Steering Wheels, Yokes, and Ship Wheels to enhance your cockpit interiors.

Fire up the engines—but be careful where you point them!

Introducing the Jet Turbine, a powerful, fuel-burning engine that delivers high-speed thrills with a side of flammability.

Heat management takes center stage with Heat Blast Zones, where jet engines and rockets now emit damaging heat. Shield parts wisely, as exposed components can burn, ignite, or even explode.
Turbines deliver less static thrust than EDFs but maintain power at higher speeds. Perfect for those who love to push the limits!

Things are about to heat up—literally!

Parts now simulate heat conductivity and convection, exchanging temperatures with each other and the environment. Fire spreads realistically, with flammable parts self-igniting and combustion generating even more heat. Explosive parts like fuel tanks and batteries can detonate under intense temperatures, making every build a potential powder keg.

Want to douse the flames? Speed up or splash down in water—fluid convection cools parts faster, though flammable materials may still smolder. Overheated parts weaken over time, showing visible damage and smoke before they fail completely. Repairs are a must to keep your builds in one piece.

The Thud Autocannon now packs an even bigger punch with Incendiary 50 Cal Rounds. These fiery projectiles are designed to ignite enemies while keeping kinetic damage to a minimum—perfect for setting your rivals ablaze without blowing everything to smithereens (yet).

Feeling the need for speed? Hold [Spacebar]/(A) to push your engines and motors past 100% power for a quick burst of speed. But beware: this turbocharge comes at a cost—extra heat that could turn your engine into a fireball. Use it wisely!

From New stock vehicles to further UI optimisations, this update brings close to 60 major changes, all of which can be read in detail at the bottom of this news post.

So, gear up, strap in, and get ready to embrace the chaos of the Crash & Burn Update! Whether you’re fine-tuning your cockpit, dodging heat blasts, or enjoying the fiery spectacle of an enemy going up in smoke, this update is all about high-octane thrills and explosive fun.

Happy building (and burning),
The KitHack Model Club Team 🔥💥

Overhauled Cockpits and Fuselagi:
• New textures and materials for most of the new parts.
  
• All cockpit parts now have Morphing handles and can change size/shape.
  
• Deprecated and Unlisted old cockpit parts that were replaced by the newer ones.
  
• Added an new bulkhead profile that is similar to M profile.
  
• Standardized the appearance of several part materials for consistent lighting and colour. (you may notice existing vehicles having slightly different shades)
  
• Added new (moving) Steering Wheel, Yoke and Ship Wheel parts for FPV cockpit interiors.
  
  
  Caution, Jet Blast:
• Added new Jet Turbine part. Not an EDF, but a real, powerful, expensive, fuel-burning and very flammable Jet engine.
  Turbines have less static thrust, but continue producing thrust up to much higher speeds than EDFs.
  
• Parts with hot exhausts (Jet Engine and all Rockets) now have Heat Blast areas that can cause heat damage to parts that get in the way. Watch where you point those things.
  Heat Blast zones use the vehicle volumetrics solution to find which other parts are exposed (and by how much) to the blast.
  
• Parts directly in the way of the blast will take a lot more heat than parts only partially exposed.
  
• Parts can be shielded from heat by other parts in front of them. At least for a while.
  
• Parts exposed to a heat blast will heat up, become burned over time, and can potentially self-ignite and/or explode.
  
  
  Vehicle Thermodynamics:
• Added new heat simulation of conductivity and convection to vehicles. Parts now have Temperatures, exchange heat with one another and the surrounding environment.
  
• Part Thermodynamics also simulates Combustion.
  Parts can self-ignite if heated past their flashpoint, and combustion generates more heat, which can in turn ignite other parts.
  
• Some Parts are more flammable than others.
  To sustain combustion, a part needs to have high enough thermal energy to gain heat despite losses to other parts and the environment.
  Most parts are slightly flammable. Large, lightweight parts are generally very much flammable.
  
• Some Parts are more Explosive than others.
  If temperatures reach the explosion threshold, they will detonate, releasing a lot of heat instantly, and also causing structural stresses (usually ends in many little pieces).
  Fuel Tanks, Rockets, Batteries and some Ammo maganizes are now explosive, and will detonate if exposed to high temperatures.
  The higher the amount of fuel in a tank, charge in a battery, the more potentially explosive it is.
  
• Heat transfer to the Environment (convection) is simulated and accounts for different fluids.
  Fire has a harder time spreading to other parts if you are moving quickly, or better yet, splashed down (water can sink heat 30x faster than air).
  Depending on flammability, fires may not be entirely put out by water, but whatever is left of your vehicle may not burn up as well.
  
• Parts can take heat damage even if they are not flammable by themselves.
  Above a maximum safe temperature, parts start becoming burnt and visibly emit smoke.
  
• Burned parts will lose structural integrity the more burnt they are.
  Heat damage causes them to weaken progressively, leading to early failures.
  High temperatures will eventually cool down, but burn damage requires repairs.
  
• Fire and Explosion effects are synchronized for all clients in multiplayer.
  Mind that for the time being, flames and explosions from other vehicles will not cause thermal damage to your own.
  
  
  Autocannons now Shoot Incendiary Rounds.
• Added new Incendiary 50 Cal Rounds, now used by the 'Thud' Autocannon.
  
• Incendiary rounds cause less kinetic damage, which is handy when you want the other guy to go up in flames.
  
• Added new fiery VFX for the new projectiles.
  
• The Orange 50 Cal Magazine now holds Incendiary Rounds, and is highly explosive when fully loaded.
  
  
  VFX and SFX:
• Added new pooled explosions effects with expanding shockwaves.
  
• Added new fire and smoke effects to all parts. Flame particle emission conforms to the shape of the burning object.
  
• Added new visual effect for all parts, so they smolder and get charred as they burn. This effect applies to all parts and does not require specific shaders (should be fully mod compatible).
  
• Added new sounds for fire and explosions.
  
• Explosion effects scale based on the anount of energy the explosion releases.
  
• Revised all Propeller Sound FX. They now respond correctly to prop RPM and all have different sounds.
  
• Added new Sound FX for the new Jet Engine, including spool-up and shutdown sound.
  
• Fmod speed of sound delay now uses the correct units, and also works for explosions
  
• Added a clamp to the violence value for vehicle crash and brush sfx, so heavy parts don't always make enormous sounds even at low speeds.
  
  
  Engine Boost!
• Hold [Spacebar]/(A) (while controlling the vehicle) to Boost engines and motors to over 100% max power. This can give you a bit of extra speed, and will definitely give you a lot of extra heat.
  
• Holding boost will cause engines to heat up and potentially catch fire. This is almost certainly not good for the Engine.
  
  
  Stock Vehicles:
• Added new Aero-ES J100 stock airplane (with a jet!). Very dangerous. not recommended for... anyone, really.
  
• Added steering to most stock craft for FPV. Some other minor stock craft changes too.
  
  
  General Fixes, Improvements and Optimizations:
• Fixed some motors having negative non-zero performance at zero load/throttle, which caused strange behaviour at very low throttle settings.
  
• Improved tasking logic so repeated/frequent Vehicle Volumetrics recalculations are avoided more reliably.
  
• Vehicle Resource flow logic is now more reliable against NaNs from divisions by zero.
  
• Engines now correctly shut themselves off when the vehicle is moved into the editor.
  
• Fixed a bug in drive networks that could cause NaNs to infect propeller and engine modules. This fixes some motors not producing power when using the /runsonfumes cheat (when out of fuel)
  
• Rockets now refuel themselves when the vehicle enters the editor.
  
• Fixed exterior parts sometimes blocking internal ones when going into Internal View in the editor.
  
• Minor tuning tweaks to the piston PID params, to make them a bit more stable and sturdy.
  
  
  Multiplayer Physics and Combat:
• Vehicle Physics flags are all MP-synced now. Vehicle.Physics doesn't try to update them for remote vehicles anymore.
  
• Ballistic Projectile hits now sync better over MP, and hit reports are always sent to all clients.
  
• AA guns are now able to target remote players in PvP or PvE scenarios.
  
• NPC target acquisition will now find remote vehicles properly. (NPC fighters should attack all enemy players)
  
  
  UI:
• Added new Thermodynamics Overlay to the Vehicle Overlays Panel ([F9] Menu)
  
• Fixed Flex physics stress indicators not going away for some parts after very violent breakages
  
• Added screen messages for when parts are on fire.
  
• Fixed decal previews being shown backwards in the Decal Tool handles.
  
• The Throttle indicator in the main UI now also shows an indication when Boost is enabled.
  
• Added tooltip notes about heat blast to all rockets.
  
  
  New Cheat Commands:
• Added /fwoosh cheat command (guess what it does!)
  
• Added /microwavesafe cheat command. Disables all heat simulation, for whatever reason... :P
  
• Added new /clickspring N cheat to allow overriding the time of day. (where N is a number of hours)
  
  
  Modding:
• Added basic sanity checking to FX components
  
• Engine modules now throttle and power responsiveness cfg fields now work correctly.
  
• Renamed both fields so this won't cause any changes to existing engines.

Greeting KitHackers!

The dust has settled, the engines have cooled, and the KitHack team has finally completed our deep dive into your incredible War Machines creations. And wow—what a ride! From sky-soaring planes to wave-crushing boats and ground-rumbling tanks, your creativity has truly taken the concept of "War Machines" to the next level.

A massive thank you to everyone who participated! Your ingenuity, craftsmanship, and dedication have made this competition unforgettable. We’ve been blown away (figuratively, of course) by every single submission.

But now, it’s time to reveal the champions! After much deliberation, here are the winners of the War Machines competition:

✈️ Plane Category
🏆 1st Place: [ 9F1EF2 Purple] – "F-15E"
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3365749914
🚢 Boat Category
🏆 1st Place: [inpatol] – "KillerDuck"
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3364813695
🚗 Car / Tank Category
🏆 [WarpedAkira] – "Mobile Artillery"
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3362411494
Congratulations to all the winners, our KitHack Community Team will be reaching out to you shortly - Stay tuned!

Before we go, we also have to give some hugely honourable mentions to the following KitHackers for their amazing builds...

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3361713946&searchtext=

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3365760684&searchtext=

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3365381543&searchtext=

Thanks again for all of your wonderful creations - Be sure to check out the store page regularly, we've got some ...ahem.. 'fiery' updates not too far away!

Happy KitHacking!
HarvesteR & Curve Games

Follow us on Twitter (X), and join us on Discord!

Hey there, KitHackers!

We’re cruising toward a big moment: KitHack Model Club is eligible for the 2024 Steam Awards, and with your support, we can steer ourselves straight to a win! Specifically, we’re gunning for the 'Sit Back and Relax' award — because we know KitHack is the ultimate tune-up for those who love to unwind and get lost in building their virtual model dream machines.

Starting November 27th, you’ll have the chance to put KitHack Model Club in the driver’s seat by nominating us for ‘Sit Back and Relax’ award. Here’s how you can help:

Fire away at the nomination link above: This is a quick and easy way to make your vote count! Simply check the box, follow the prompts and you'll be done in T-Minus 30 seconds.

OR you can....

• Pull Up to the '2024 Steam Awards' section via the Steam homepage
  
• Barrel roll over to the KitHack store page and click the '2024 Steam Awards' link

Whatever way you choose, make sure you select the 'Sit Back and Relax' award to help us celebrate the easy-going, chill vibe we all know and love about KitHack.

Once you're crossed the finish line, be sure to rev up your social media, share our post, or bring it up in the KitHack community hub and Discord. Every vote is a boost toward the finish line!

KitHack Model Club is the perfect pit stop to unwind, tinker, and create with your fellow hobbyists. So, help us race to the top and make this victory lap one to remember!

Thank you for putting us in the driver’s seat — let’s win this together!

Happy building,
The KitHack Model Club Team

Hello KitHackers,

It’s time to put the brakes on the War Machines entries! Submissions are now officially closed, so rev down those engines, drop anchor, and pull up the landing gear – your masterpieces are now in the hands of the KitHack Judging Crew. Please make sure you entries include 'War Machine' in the vehicle title, to ensure our judges don't miss any of your crafty creations

Over the next two weeks, our crew will shift gears and dive deep into your creations, reviewing every high-speed car, seafaring boat, and sky-soaring plane. We’ll be “tirelessly” analyzing each machine to pick the three winners for each category – and trust us, this will be a real battle of horsepower, hull-power, and high-altitude prowess!

The winners will be announced on Friday, November 29th via the KitHack Discord and in a Workshop Wonders news post here on the KitHack store page. So, buckle up and stay tuned – this is going to be a thrilling finish!

Before we go, here are a few of the submissions that caught our eye over the last two week. While they might not be the peak of combat prowess, they certainly put a unique twist on what it means to be a "War Machine".

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3365698379&searchtext=
This chonky boi is faster than it looks, and there's something oddly satisfying about seeing it glide on those stumpy wings.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3362847588&searchtext=
Not sure if this is the glow-up Buddy asked for, but there's no denying that it gives him a bit more punch!

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3363096204&searchtext=
Now, who doesn't love big ol' shoulder cannons on a mech? Well, probably those on the receiving end....

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3363334955&searchtext=
If raining confetti down on your enemies is the name of the game, then Mr Bomb is the buddy for you!

Thank you to everyone who submitted their builds – you’ve really steered this competition to the next level!

Happy KitHacking!
HarvesteR & Curve Games

Follow us on Twitter (X), and join us on Discord![discord.com]

Greeting KitHackers,

It's time for another Workshop Wonders Competition!

Are you ready to rev your engines, set sail, and take flight? KitHack Model Club is calling all players to gear up for our War Machine competition! Show us your best combat creations, whether it’s a boat, plane, or car, purpose-built for the battleground! From sleek war boats to turbo-charged tanks on wheels, bring your ultimate war machine to life for a chance to win!

We’re putting some fuel in your tank with three £50 Steam vouchers up for grabs! Each prize will go to the best vehicle in these categories:

• Best Boat
  
• Best Plane
  
• Best Car

Submit as many creations as you want – go full throttle on your ideas! But remember, you can only win one prize, so make each submission count.

The competition will run between the 1st and 15th November. All entries must be submitted before 00:00 BST on the 15th November.

Create Your Model: Use the tools in KitHack Model Club to design and build your War Machine vehicle.
Submit Your Entry: Once your model is complete, upload it to the Steam Workshop between the dates specified above. You can enter as many models as you'd like, but make sure you include '#War Machine' in the vehicle name so we can identify your builds!

Detailing: Attention to detail and craftsmanship in the model.
Theme Adherence: How well does the vehicle represent the genre and inspiration.
Engineering: How well the vehicle handles combat – we want to see designs built for battle supremacy on land, air, sea or all three!

The winner for each category will be announced on Friday 29th November via the KitHack Discord Click here[discord.com] and the Workshop Wonders newspost on the KitHack Steam page.

We can't wait to see what this creative community can KitHack together - Speaking of creativity, it's time to give a shout out to some of the best creations we've seen from the last fortnight, starting with....

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3351815073&searchtext=
Not many aquatic builds recently, but so many planes, I wonder why that is?.... Anyway, I've always wanted to own a Seaplane. Nothing says 'You've Made it!' like landing on the water at your favourite beach, to be created by confused locals yelling "Good Sir, this is a public beach. You can't land here!".

Ah, one day...

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3351664363&searchtext=
Sorry, went off on a bit of a tangent there. Lets keep things grounded with our next build. If getting off the beaten track is your type of fun, then this is the buggy for you! Off-road, on-road, any road - this bite-sized buggy from DV Snack is sure to keep you hungry for more!

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3354240552&searchtext=
Next is the aptly named 'Drop Ship' from... (Checks notes) TheWettestSloppyJoe. Nice name, even nicer build. This ship does drop!

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3356378178&searchtext=
Now we're talking, here's a player that's been placing the new parts front and centre of their build (literally). I do have questions regarding the cockpit, or rather lack there of.... The pilot of Lil Jetty will be getting a Lil Chilly if you ask me!

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3354157323&searchtext=
What's better than one jet engine? The answer to this question is the glorious B-52 from Tobiassin, showcasing eight engines on a build that handles surprisingly well! I don't remember the B-52 coming in that colour originally, but I'm all for bringing a little 'flair' to warfare.

That's it for this round of 'Workshop Wonders' - Thanks again for all of your wonderful creations!

The KitHack Team and I can't wait to see what wonderfully wacky warfare creations you bring to the table next time.

Happy KitHacking!
HarvesteR & Curve Games

Follow us on Twitter (X), and join us on Discord![discord.com]