Claude Thibodeau

Thank you Trevor! There's nothing that a little abstract art can't embellish... CT

Hi Ray! Take it from a guy who has seen Francis' models "in the flesh"... They are in a league of their own! Our luck is that he is a generous guy, has a knack for photography, and loves to share his ideas and techniques. We are all better for it. CT

Hi Steve! Well, I'm afraid I spend more and more time reaching back to memories, these days. Working on model cars allows to let your mind roam for them freely. Part of the joy of modeling, consciously or not... CT

Hi Steve! Wow, what a great finish. Looks like the perfectly orange peel-free paint has exactly the right amount of shine. And the stance is spot on. Bravo! My dad had a 66 Buick that was exactly that shade of tealish blue. Brings back memories... CT

Hi Francis! Truth is, I often had the chance to meet and greet the members of Rush when they came for concerts, in company of my radio station listeners who had won such a "back stage" privilege. But I am NOT the biggest fan of Rush, whereas some of my station DJ's were DYING to meet them. So, I chose to let them accompany our winners to meet the band, and went down to my basement in the meantime, to... mash-up some models! When we say it is a grave sickness... CT

Hi Francis! Great shots from the whole assembly, from below at that. Fantastic fit! Your comments about Rush and the passionnate motorcyclist that we all admired, reminded me of a cherished memory for me. Back in the early nineties, I was painting custom motorcycles on a grand scale with a good friend. Many major Harley dealers across Canada were our clients. One day, a Toronto area dealer called in desperation: a guy from the band Rush had just bought a brand new Harley, UNDER THE STRICT CONDITION that the Harley-Davidson logo on the black tank would be modified to be exactly like the new Road King logo that struck the musician as very beautifull and desirable. The dealer assumed he could get decals from Harley's parts dept, to replace the existing logo, have the tanks repainted, logo applied, cleared, and hence satisfy the awaiting customer. Horror: Harley would not release the new decal to ANYONE before the first run of Road King models would be fully sold. The dealer called us, shipped us a Road King tank, and I had to "clone" the logo (airbrush and freehand painting) on the tanks ASAP. It took three days. Not exactly a "rush job". I'm told the customer was happy with it. Memories... CT

Hi Ismo! Great car, fantastic stance, and the scratchbuilt detailing is sweet. Bravo! CT

Thank you Carl! I know you can relate to this era of motorsports... CT

Wish you so! It IS a great kit, and to finally assemble it at an age when I pay more attention to finish, compared to my young age when I assembled the first one in 1970... Might-it be one of the only benefits of growing old? CT

Thank you Mister Elcaminolds! CT

Yous are right! LOL, CT

Hi Tim! Great work, very impressive. See: the long nights under snowy skies are conductive to great things! You might never have been able to create such jewels in the south-west, eh? CT

Hi Murray! Good to have join the crew.... Passion for styrene (and sometimes brass) is the rule here! CT

Hi Joe! Thank you. If mouse urine gets me vintage unassembled Johan kits at 5$ a pop, I vote for mices! Seriously, my friend also sold me the Johan Javelin FC, assembled but not painted (a minor annoyance), the Long Nose Mustang FC of Gas Rhonda (assembled and painted, but complete and rebuildable, plus a couple more gems. And I left some stuff behind, cause my wife would have smelled my "deal" from a mile away? What can you do... CT

Thank you Daniel! Far from me to want to torture you... But the Pinto FC kit is looking at me as we speak! The Challenger just warmed me up... The rear end (winters quick-change style) is so nice on the Pinto. Worth the price of admission by itself! In line for production before mid-summer, if all goes according to plans. CT CT

Mr. Coffey: thanks as usual, thanks! CT

Than you Glen! You are right... those were great times... elapsed times, alas... CT

Thank you Stephen! The aerodynamics principles I can understand. But the livery is basically the logo/artwork of the "sponsor of the week". As the old saying goes: rarity and uniqueness create value. Artwork derived from a can of antifreeze? A smidge less exciting, IMHO. CT

Hi SiR! Thanks for the insight. It should come as no surprise when we look at the ficture in your handle. LOL. CT

Hi Steve| Great results, I like the mixed flocking effect, very convincing! About the smoke tint on the wheels: did-you use the airbrush? I tried it once, but with the spray can... and got less than stellar results. Hence my question... CT

Hi Rick! Far out? Totally in tune with the era, man... CT

Hi Mark! Thank you. Coach built is quite a compliment. I appreciate. CT

Thank you John! The kit is outstanding to begin with, so... CT

Thank you Larry, always appreciated! CT

Hi Ray! Don't you dare ever try to cure your "sickness". We are all the better for it. And oh, cool model! CT