Claude Thibodeau

Hi Roger! What a production, and flawless, as usual. Bravo! Your treatment of the 49 Merc would be on the cover of the Goodguys Gazette, were it a 1/1. It gives meaning to the word "sanitary". In those times of pandemic, not a bad thing, eh? Happy holidays to you! CT

Hi Charlie! Well, we knew you were a Master of metal... But now, those molded and turned tires? Master of all media would be more appropriate. Wow! Your 1/1 car reeks of metal mastery, and the rear section alone comprises so many compound curves, one can only imagine the english wheel or hammering sessions to get to that point. Truly impressive. Regards, CT

Hi! Well, RRR, you are the uncontested king of the bead roller. What a floorpan! CT

Hi Tim! As much as I adored the loooooooooong fender, you are right that this unit is more in line with racing duties. What was the famous motto: "weight is the enemy of racers"? Keep hammering away! CT

Hi Wayne! Well, as they say: "Quality, not quantity". Both are great, but I have a preference for the color on the Chevy. Both cars have colors that are in perfect match with their respective year coming to the market. Bravo! CT

Hi Alan! Very very nice, and in line with the original, bravo! You are rightfully proud of your belly-pan: it is precise, and looks the part. Even the gaps around the exhaust tips are even! Speaks volumer! CT

Hi Lee! Well, a perfect demonstration of thet old "rule": "3 colors in good proportion make for a nice result". Unique and well done, bravo! CT

Hi Sir! Makes for a beautiful period-correct rod, with a perfect stance at that... Bravo! CT

Hi Alan! Very unique and appetizing build, truly! We often heard of father and son modeling teams... but husband and wife is not as frequent! Extend my compliments to your wife for her many good ideas and execution. CT

Salut Jean-Claude! Thank you for the reply. Your technique duplicates the effect achieved with the HOK Marbelizer, which is an oily semi-metallic "paint" designed to be applied in a thin coat over a contrasting base-coat. Then, a sheet of plastic wrap is dropped on the freshly applied coat of Marbelizer, and quickly removed. The random contact patch of the plastic film mars the wet surface, just like you obtain when you patted your surface with the plastic film. Same results, different technique. A candy coat is then superposed. I never used Createx myself, but I suppose it is NOT solvent based. If it were, it would mar the base coat and create a mess at the contact points. It is therefore a good medium to superpose the pearly marble effect on your base coat. Great technique and results, bravo! Salutations, CT

Hi Nick! Stunning beauty, a world class build, bravo! Does the chassis feature air ride? The stance is absolutely perfect. CT

Bonjour Jean-Claude! Great dio, very convincing. I'm curious: how do you call the painting technique used on the lower rosy section of the gold SUV? It looks a bit like House of Kolor's Marblelizer, but it might be your own motif or stenciling technique? Merci! CT

Hi Ken! Very clean assembly of a difficult kit, bravo! There must be something in the air of Vermont? Many talented modelers are based there... CT

Amen! CT

Hi Jim! VERY nice, bravo! I'm certain it even glows in the dark: that color pops! CT

Hi Tom! How true. Thank you for the compliment, Much appreciated, coming from "the modeler in chief". Regards, CT

Hi Steve! This is a perfect snapshot of the era, with the poodle shirt and all. Bravo! Your base is worth mentionning as well: the manhole cover and drain grille are very realistic. Is the young lady mounted on a "pivot", to keep her balance and be repositionned at will? Just curious... CT

Thank you Steve! CT

Hi Tim! Well, I will gladly direct your compliments to my friend Francis Laflamme, whose Dodge pickup build-up we have all watched in awe. Now, THIS is perfection. Me, I'm just your average styrene junkie, wit too much time on my hands. Same hobby, different levels. And don't get me started on brass: I would not know where to begin! Truth be told, this is indeed the vast variety of interests and techniques displayed on this forum that make it so interesting. Hours of fun with styrene... and brass! CT

Hi Michael! Thank you. Indeed, it seems the simpler they look, the more complicated they are to complete. Go figure... CT

Hi Tim! It is now certain: you WERE a master coachbuilder in a previous life. Case in point? The lower sweep of your front fender is a PERFECT MATCH for the sweep of the exhaust pipes! (see pic above). It doesn't come any more perfect than that! Regards, CT

Hi Snake! Well, it is quite a salvage job. Hard to tell from the smooth overall finishing. Bravo! CT

Hi Francis! Thanks for the comments. You are right: it seems eons since we were able to attend a live show. I look forward to the RAM in Drummond. Hope they are able to do it this coming march, Omicron or not... If they are allowed to fill hockey arena to the rafters, why not a model show? You too should try filling your Dodge drag pick-up slicks with nitrogen. Who knows? It might improve the ET a bit. Not that I'm worried, in light of the powertrain! CT

Hi Tim! Masterful work, as always I should add! Bravo! You must have been a european coachbuilder in a previous life. Your front fender sweep is art! CT

Hi Mario! Very nice, it certainly hides the "snap kit" origin. And the photo background makes it very real. Bravo! CT