Claude Thibodeau

Hi! We don't enjoy HL in Canada, to my knowledge, at least certainly not in the province of Quebec. My last shopping at HL took place in Glenn Falls, NY, 2 years ago. They had a limited selection of kits (mostly Revell's), but mucho accessories (sanding and polishing pads, airbrush accessories, etc.). I have two Michael's stores within 10 minutes of my home, and their coupon policy can be very advantageous if you play it well. Their selection of kits (mostly Revell's) is limited in scope, and they lag behind as far of shelving new releases, in my experience. The whole Testor's One coat /Extreme lacquer displays were clearanced, and even yesterday, no news as to what will replace them. I would bet a buck on Revell's new paint line, judging from their domination of the kit section... CT

Hi Fabrizio! This is a very basic, but mostly, very OLD kit. It dates back eons. The flash is no-doubt a consequence of old molds, polished many times, who don't "close" on each-other ass well as they used to. I bought one a few years ago, noted the same flaws you mention, and ultimately used the box only to mash-up a "Nova-mino". The jury is still out as to what to do with the remnant parts, alas... CT

Thank you Dan! Speaking of pick, what will it be: veggie or all-dressed? Both are still avail under the warming light... CT

Hi Tim! Masterfull work, bravo! If I remember the old cover shot from Hot Rod in 1970, those carbs had a "cast bronze" tint, like many carbs of the day. If so, will you leave them as is, or do you have a secret trick up your sleeve? Just curious. Keep up the fantastic work! CT

Thank you Nigel! That's the beauty of scale modeling, isn't-it? You can explore and create with infinitely less ressources and $ than in real life. Priceless. For all the rest, we have a credit card... CT

Thank you Anton! CT

Hi Francis! Thanks for the humour. As for reducing my pace, I'm afraid I'm doing just that these days. I have 4 builds on the bench, almost finished, but almost is the key word. Gotta spend some time polishing paint before final assembly on two of them. Tomorrow? They say it's gonna be a warm day, so we'll see... Since you are my friend, I would not dare recommend a "slice of my brain". Might be hazardous to your mental health. Model on! CT

Hi Tom! Thank you for the story, it makes sense, since the truck was in their family for a loooooong time. The irony is that the Caddy I posted here a few weeks ago (Tim's Casket Rental) uses the roof that came off the rear section of the F100 panel that gave its rear section for the catering trailer. Never waste a good part! CT

Thank you Kerry! I must admit that the amount of scratchbuild tested my sanity. Happy it turned out like it did. CT

Thank you Andrew! It is up on my calendar... if I can live this far! CT

Thank you Jim! I contemplated doing a Harley Dealership delivery truck with the elongated box. Then, I knew it would be more challenging to go out of my comfort zone, and scratch-build all the components required, from pepperoni to exhaust shields. Oh well... CT

Hi Oliver! Thanks. I juggled with a set of modern mag wheels... but upon trying the Cord wheels, I knew that was it! Now, the Cord build will require something else...No problem, since it will be more contemporary than vintage, and is a fairly big car.We'll see. CT

Hi Steve! Thank you. You find valuable things in the most unexpected places, as columnist Ken Hamilton often says. CT

Hi Bill! Thank you. May I always "exceed" them. Pressure.... CT

Hi Ray! Thanks. If only my wife could be of the same opinion... But I digress. CT

Thank you Larry! CT

Hi Noel! Glad you liked it here. The province of Québec is usually where most tourists are surprised, if not "disoriented", because of the prevalence of the french language, even more so on the radio, billboards, etc. It makes for an "immersive" experience. Vancouver and Toronto, both beautifull cities, are more like most major north-american cities: cosmopolitan, dense, thriving with activity and contemporary architecture. Quebec city is much more like old Europe. That is why many scenes from CATCH ME IF YOU CAN with Di Caprio were shot here: next best thing to a french decor. CT

Hi Rex! Thanks for the comments. However, at this hour, I suggest you skip the all dressed slice... It may cause heartburn and interfere with your sleep... CT

Hi Tom! Thanks for the comments. I'll keep the thin crust request on file for any upcoming food-truck build. Who knows? CT

Thank you Mike! The most painstaking was the pizza pies. Made of modeling clay, that I "borrowed" from my grand daughter toy crib. The melted cheese is white glue, and the pepperoni roll & slices are also tinted modeling clay, rolled and sliced super-thin. The joy of cooking... CT

Hi David! Thanks. The candy orange (just one light coat) makes it pop more than just the brilliant orange would. The logo on the doors and pizza box tops /banner came from the internet. But I don't know if it is a real biz, or just a generic artwork. Maybe someone could shine a light on this? The rest of the lettering is made on my computer, minus the Coke logo on the back doors, which came from a Nascar decal sheet of unknown origin. CT

Hi Misha! Thank you. I have never done a real diorama before, and far from me to claim my parking base as such... Let's just say it was an experiment. I shared it with Mister Tom Woodruff a few weeks ago, before posting it here, and he was very encouraging. HE does make REAL dioramas. That keeps my effort in perspective, I think... CT

Hi! I love the way Mr. Foose streamlined the iconic F100 cab. I used two kits: one for the cab, and the sectionned rear cab panel of a second kit to make the front "wall" of a scratch-built catering rear section, made from the body of Monogram's Ford Panel van, minus the roof. Scratchbuilt: floor, rear counters, cabinets, pizza ovens, lifting hydraulic roof (removable), glass showcases, pizza warmer, cheese and sauce bowls, ustensils, pepperoni, pizza pies and boxes, paper plates, soda cans & straws, napkins, decals, side-pipes and shields. Rolling-stock from Lindberg's Cord cabriolet, flathead engine from AMT's 50 Ford. Chassis and driving shaft were lengtened. Tamya's bright orange + candy orange +Wet Look Clear. Polished stainless finish done with Krylon's chrome spray paint. The base is a parking lot simulation, with cracks, sidewalk, drain, and fallen autumn leaves. Trash-can is a cap from a lipstick tube my wife threw away, lined with a black latex baloon to replicate the trash bag. And some trash inside, of course... It took me out of my usual street-rod/customs /Bonneville cars comfort zone, But was fun. Bon appetit! CT

Hi Kerry! Turns out it was a good thing that i went back to my notes... I was OK about the light (one coat) overcoat of Tamya's transparent orange (TS-73), BUT... the base colour is indeed Tamya's TS-84, i.e. GOLD, not titanium gold. So: white primer, TS-84 base, one coat TS-73 candy + clear (in my case: Testor's Wet Look Clear). Voilà! CT

Thank you Peter! Your comment is much appreciated. CT