Claude Thibodeau

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

Thank you Carl! CT

Hi Jason! Well, all are superb models, bravo! Your camera may be new, but you certainly show a mastery of the "light", which is, according to one of my friends who's a pro photographer "all there is to it". He should know. And you do too, obviously! Regards, CT

Hi Tom! Thanks for the compliments. You are right: this much chrome complicates assembly and handling. That's the price to pay, I guess... CT

HI! Bravo, well done. There will never be too many lakesters. Keep them coming! Long live the salt. CT (Chair of the Flat Earth Society)

Thank you Sir! CT

HI! A few years ago, I mounted a set of those Vicky tires on a lilttle 29 A, with the same frame you used. However, I did not run fenders, so it was less fuss. You are right to say this rollingstock is super-nice. Keep going, intreresting and stylish. CT

Thank you Joe, glad you like it! CT

Hi Chris! Thank you. The cover car owner happened to be a Canadian, from Alberta if I remember correctly. I suppose you knew that, since you got the SRM issue in question? CT

Thank you Alan! Happy you like it. CT

HI! Nowadays, I favor mostly mash-ups or totally scratchbuild subjects. I spend way more time (too much?) planning and preparing for any project. As far as glues, I use CA sometimes, but to my utmost surprise, WHITE glue on all my projects. Go figure... Paintwise, I mourn the passing of Testor's Wet Look Clear (my stock is dwindling fast!), and I now experiment with Mr Hobby super clear and TopCoat instead (after trying all the rest). Don't get me wrong: Tamya's TS-13 is fine, but since I rarely apply my finish coats in just one session, it poses some limitations. Finally, after much experiment, Molotow's chrome (in large refill bottles) is a game changer for me, allowing much more satisfying finishes. I still use Alclad, but now on white or light blue gloss subcoats instead of just glossy black. It then reproduces more varieties of polished metals (white for aluminium, blue for SST). So much styrene, so little time... CT

Hi James! Thanks for the comments. But you know, Doctor, that little rod almost drove me nuts. Styrene glue was the only remedy, I am afraid... CT

Thank you Oliver! The chrome was a challenge, because much of it ended up applied with Molotow, and I aimed at having the least discernible difference between the vacuum chrome of kit parts and the "home made" stuff. Came out acceptable... CT

Hi Michael! Well, if it can be any inspiration to you, it's been worth it! Thanks for the comments. CT

Hi Steve! Great results, bravo! One has to think this is what the GM designers would have drawn, if the corporate bean counters would had let them... CT

Hi Steve! Thanks for the comments. Yep, three more in the paint booth as we speak. As they say on TV: "Stay tuned, more to come"... As to Victoria: I would like to attend this event, I read so much about it. I made it to the easter flank of the Rockies, but BC is still on my bucket list! Who knows? CT

Hi Tim! Well, the next slice is on me! CT

Thank you Greg! CT

Thank you Ray! My wife thinks that there is a smidge too much stuff piling up in the "House of Claude". Well... CT