Claude Thibodeau

Hi Jim! Thanks for the clear explanation about Future. I'll keep that in mind when experimenting with it myself. I now know what NOT to do vs Tamya's glossy acrylics. Those fuel lines look the part, perfect high octane tint, bravo! CT

Hi Martin! Now, this IFS looks nice! It seems to have fairly delicate a-arms, which is the goal. I can't wait to see it in place. Speaking of loving long and low rods, I replicated a famous car that Magoo built in the 80's, only, just a smidge extended. As they say: longer, lower, wider... They only way to cure this "illness" is to build them, I'm afraid! CT

Hi Jim! A nice build, in tune with the holidays. Great. A question about your use of Future as a "barrier coat": I often read that depending on the thickness of the coating, Future has a tendency to crack or wrinkle, for lack of better terms, down the road. What is your "long time" experience with it? I never dared use it, fearing that the "reaction" would appear long after the model is polished and on display. What do you say? CT

Hi Erik! The AMT Jaguar X220 has something that might fit... I'm currently building a mid-engined 68 Charger with it, and it was the right lenght/proportion. Just an idea... CT

Hi Kerry! Nice to see it fully painted and "opened". Very impressive. Now, I have to ask: what is the dark car at the rear of the Charger, on the driver's side? Is-it a Galaxie or a big Pontiac? Just curious. The rear end section has me puzzled... CT

Hi Kerry! I was enjoying a good glass of wine, and looking at old issues of SAE (does life get any better?)... And reading the fine print in a 1998 report about a Wisconsin show, I realized that YOU had built the fantastic side-engined Dodge Charger in bluish primer... I'm always impressed by your work, and I should have known that your mastery goes back a long time! So, 23 years later... Bravo for the Charger. I'm finishing a 68 concept Charger, powered by a centrally mounted late-model Hemi, and I was certainly inspired by yours. CT

Hi Uelder! Very nice, and the paint is great. There can never be too many lakesters on this forum! CT

Hi Sir! I see. Thanks for the answer! CT

Hi Steve! Obviously, if you move the wheel opening back, by flipping the lower quarter-panels, you will also have to stretch the floor pan. As they say: any action creates a reaction... To my eye, having owned a 1/1 73 Ranchero, I can attest that the rear overhang in the quarters was substantial. Your mash-up looks just fine (OEM) to me! Just my two cents... CT CT

Hi Sir! Just curious as to why you stayed away from Monogram and Revell kits... Do you care to expand on this? Happy holidays to you and your wife! CT

Hi Yann! Good for you, all those new kits. Rest assured that the styrene "obsession" is NOT deadly, and the remedy is pleasant: hours at the bench with styrene! I know: I've been sick myself for years... CT

Hi Yann! I measured the Cord tires, ans they have a diameter of about 32 or 33 mm. They fill the openings on the F100 fairly well, as you can tell from the picture above. Hope this helps. Happy holidays to you! CT

Hi Bill! Thanks for the answer. HOK's are top products. I was familiar with the Galaxy Gray... but the bluish sparkles puzzled me. Now I know... Very nice! Happy holidays to you! CT PS: Where is Union Springs in NY? Hudson Valley, I guess?

Hi Bill! Very impressive progress, bravo! That coarse metalflake gunmetal reminds me of a HOK flake... Is-it? Just curious... CT

Hi Steve! Since we are juggling with possible "names": Caminolds. Oh well... too much wine for xmass at my end? CT

Hi Marcos! Thanks for the reply. LiKe you, I prefer to scratch-build, so I certainly understand. I know many praised the Monogram chassis, and rightfully so! The Revell 55/57 Pro-Mod chassis is also very well done. Keep on, you have my full attention.Hapy holidays to you! CT

Hi Steve! Best wishes to you too! This is interesting surgery. I'll follow. I made something similar a few years ago, with a 65 Continental, a Dodge Sidewinder interior, and a scratchbuilt box. You'll have fun, I'm certain! CT

Hi Bill! Very impressive fabrication, bravo! I'm inspired by the mounting tabs you designed to hold the bodyshell in place. Clever! CT

Hi Marcos! I was never able to examine the Christine chassis... In your experience, how does-it compare with other kits you have experienced? Any critique? CT

Hi Francis! Now, will it be DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid? I suggest the DOT-4: more resistance to moisture... CT

Hi! Nice crop! The Galaxie brings back memories for me. Can you indicate where the rolling stock came from? Just curious... CT

Hi Kerry! Thanks for the picture. Very promising. Happy holidays to you! CT

HI! My experience with AMT kits goes back to early 60's... and many of the same kits are still with us, as you know all too well. Obviously, what was "state of the art" back in those days looks a bit dated. Back then, a big part of the thrill was to build exciting NEW cars. I guess the current owner of those old molds figure that nostalgia will carry the day 60 years later. If they sell, who's to argue? Retro-deluxe anyone? At least, the packaging is exciting... Besides, many NEW TOOL subjects are excellent kit, as Revell as shown us often times. I won a couple of MPC kits as door prizes last year, and I was sadly disappointed at what was in the box. Nostalgia would not save the day, alas. Finally, in my experience, many AMT kits bought between 2005 and 2015 were defective (bent, short molded, etc.). I do a lot of kitbash, so I made do with most of them... but a novice modeler probably would have found it discouraging. A simplistic kit, maybe. A faulty product? No so much... Just my two cents, for what it's worth. CT

Hi! They are fairly big as car tires go... In scale, I would guess they are 17 inches wheels, and the tires are almost as big as sport-truck tires. I'll try to measure then tomorrow on my Pizza-Truck, and post the results here. CT

Hi Kerry! Well, we can't wait to see your Magnum Opus... CT