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A couple of days ago I was looking through my stash to see what kit I could start without having to shop for paints... I'm pretty sure you are familiar with that unwritten law of modelling : when you have 100 different paints ; you are always short on the ones you need for any random kit you want to start.
Anyway, I finally found a kit that doesn't need many different colors being the famous Calypso from Jacques Yves Cousteau... even though it isn't mentioned like that on the kit itself anymore of course.
It's actually the third time I attempt this kit, the first time was when the kit was first issued under its real name, including a leaflet with pictures from the television series. The kit was doomed of course, since I was too young and unexperienced for this model. The second time was about 10 or so years ago, and to be honest I don't even remember what happened and why it never got finished... it just kind of slipped away in history... Now a new attempt : A nice pile of styrene that doesn't even look that bad coming from molds that are almost half a century old... To the left ; the decals included in this issue, to right a set of originals that a fellow modeller from a Belgian forum donated to me for the previous attempt : And off we go, the first parts have been glued together : Now the fun start with paints... Vallejo paints btw : The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit : But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
It's actually the third time I attempt this kit, the first time was when the kit was first issued under its real name, including a leaflet with pictures from the television series. The kit was doomed of course, since I was too young and unexperienced for this model.
The second time was about 10 or so years ago, and to be honest I don't even remember what happened and why it never got finished... it just kind of slipped away in history...
Now a new attempt :
A nice pile of styrene that doesn't even look that bad coming from molds that are almost half a century old...
To the left ; the decals included in this issue, to right a set of originals that a fellow modeller from a Belgian forum donated to me for the previous attempt : And off we go, the first parts have been glued together : Now the fun start with paints... Vallejo paints btw : The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit : But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
To the left ; the decals included in this issue, to right a set of originals that a fellow modeller from a Belgian forum donated to me for the previous attempt :
And off we go, the first parts have been glued together : Now the fun start with paints... Vallejo paints btw : The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit : But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
And off we go, the first parts have been glued together :
Now the fun start with paints... Vallejo paints btw : The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit : But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
Now the fun start with paints... Vallejo paints btw :
The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit : But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
The most difficult part for the moment is the superstrucure, due to its fit... or rather ; its lack of fit :
But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it : And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
But with a bit of force, and some pieces of sprue I got it :
And with its first layers, waiting for some further work tomorrow...
On the bench : Revell's 1/125 RV Calypso
Oh nice. Really love the hull work so far! Dang this reminds me of my youth. Couldn't wait to see the latest episode. It's one of the big reasons i got into scuba diving. I'll be following along in the hopes the 3rd times the charm lol
In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!
TheMongoose Oh nice. Really love the hull work so far! Dang this reminds me of my youth. Couldn't wait to see the latest episode. It's one of the big reasons i got into scuba diving. I'll be following along in the hopes the 3rd times the charm lol
Thank you TheMongoose, as you may have noticed, I'm not painting her as pristine as she appeared on the show, mainly because I now think she wasn't as pristine back then either but that we just didn't see the rust and grime due to the standard quality of television shows back then.
As for third time being the charm... I'm crossing my fingers and I'm already further into the build than at the previous two attempts
Many years back, a friend of mine was actually aboard the Calypso, and from his comments, it was anything but pristine . . . Ragged would be a better description.
Great box art though; sharks at the bow and divers at the stern !!! And running small boat ops, helo ops, and saucer launch all at the same time. Wow.
"Why do I do this? Because the money's good, the scenery changes and they let me use explosives, okay?"
And during all that Simone Cousteau was hiding from the camera lol all those episodes and i never knew he was married.
I have an earlier issue of thar kit in my stash. Love the work that you've done already. I'm glad that you're going to "weather" it slightly. To me a ship looks more natural with a little "wear" on it. Does anyone make PE or other after-market for this kit? Didn't Revell issue a kit of the show's PBY too? Now I regret getting rid of the old Revell Eastwind Icebreaker kit that I had. Good luck going forward.
TJS
TheMongoose And during all that Simone Cousteau was hiding from the camera lol all those episodes and i never knew he was married.
I think she might have been caught on camera a few times if I'm not mistaken, but in the later years she didn't live on Calypso anymore because their wedding was not that great anymore either. Most french women have to deal with only one mistress, but with Cousteau there was of course the ocean as another one in addition...
MR TOM SCHRY I have an earlier issue of thar kit in my stash. Love the work that you've done already. I'm glad that you're going to "weather" it slightly. To me a ship looks more natural with a little "wear" on it. Does anyone make PE or other after-market for this kit? Didn't Revell issue a kit of the show's PBY too? Now I regret getting rid of the old Revell Eastwind Icebreaker kit that I had. Good luck going forward. TJS
I'm afraid PE is no where to be found, even though I've looked a bit for it, if I had resin 3D printer I would have started by printing another helicopter platform to start with, however, my FDM printer is not suitable for fine work like that.
Yes Revell also issued the Coustea version of the PBY Catalina as well, unfortunately, just like this vessel, that one is not available anymore either...
Hey,TJS !!
Don't fret! The old model of the Navy version is identical( I.E. The " Burton Island") so you can still do her. You are going to have to look for her. Not as rare as the Eastwind, but based on the REVELL moldings-The same Class! I think the only thing they changed was the Color.
Here's the Thing;
When you get to putting the main deck on. Build a bulkhead or support at the foredeck stepdown and at the end of the railings as molded. The hull is very flexible and breakable at these points. I have done four to date and sold them all. Geez! Forgot to keep one fer me.
I like your subtle weathering. Surprisingly, the LeSuroit was doggy too. Lotsa sea miles on these Grand Old ladies!
That's great news! I'll start looking on the internet. Thanks
Really looking good,loved that show as a kid
Once in a while I might be home to see a ehow, most of the time I was working nights. I remember when they went to Truk Lagoon looking for a certain sub among a few other boats. ou could see him swim the length of the sub and he looked so small.
John Denver did a song aboiut him and his boat back in the 70s.
Tanker-Builder Hey,TJS !! Don't fret! The old model of the Navy version is identical( I.E. The " Burton Island") so you can still do her. You are going to have to look for her. Not as rare as the Eastwind, but based on the REVELL moldings-The same Class! I think the only thing they changed was the Color.
The bow has a turtle deck not a turret and the tail is more like a PBY6.
Bill
Modeling is an excuse to buy books.
First thing I printed on my resin printer was a new helideck.
Hi Bill;
I was referring to the ship, The question was if an Eastwind could be found-You know the Coast Guard Icebreaker. The Burton Island is her duplicate. Leastwise according to REVELL.. I do know the "Cat" was different as I have it in my stash.
Now as far as aircraft, if it floats and Flies I will have a model of it somewhere including the "Panama" Clippers and the "Emily" and "Mavis" from the Japanese Navy-circa WW2.
This also includes the British one referred as "The Boat"
Hi Dan,,Speaking of Mistresses;
I feel for any woman who has to compete with the Oceans. The Sea is a very Demanding and UNFORGIVING! Mistress at that. Even to taking your life if you are not careful with her and her moods.
Well, here we are again, a new day a new update...
Not that much done but at least the superstructue is now complete (except for the wide array of antennas of course).
Whe we dry-fit the fore deck with superstructure to the hull, the iconic shape of Neptune's favourite daughter appears to us :
Progress is looking great! I just love the faint rust streaks going down the sides. John Denver's "Calypso" is running through my mind!
The "neptune" moniker is from the Custeau Foundation wanting royalties for use of any of their logos, trademarks, etc.
It's my understanding that CF specifically withdrew support for the Catalina kit after the actual plane crashed, killing one of the Cousteau sons, who was flying same.
The ship was a former French Minesweeper. The "bulb" at the front had been a glazed "observation dome" a modification by Cousteau when they purchased the ship.
In actual use, the glass was constantly being broken, and was eventually replaced with marine plywood epoxied into place. Research vessels often have worse rust and peeling paint than average merchant vessels (if not quite to fishing ships).
Nice clean build on this one, which is outstanding given the age of this kit.
I've always considered doing this kit. Box art/photos were great. Fun following along on your build. I love the little helo that comes with the kit.
Thanks,
John
CapnMac82It's my understanding that CF specifically withdrew support for the Catalina kit after the actual plane crashed, killing one of the Cousteau sons, who was flying same.
Yes, it was Philippe, a regular on the show.
"Philippe teks zee zodiac to look at zee wells".
Caught a wingtip landing on the Tagus River in Lisbon.
Today there was only small progress, very small progress, but than again, it was a complete model on itself.
It took me the better part of the day to construct and paint the 1/125 Schweizer S300 helicopter that came with the kit.
Mind you : those squares are centimeters, not inches !
Decals are for tomorrow
Thats a cool little bird. Did you add the cyclic, collective, wire the dash, detail the rotor head
keavdog Thats a cool little bird. Did you add the cyclic, collective, wire the dash, detail the rotor head
Well of course John, how else would I control it.
Another day, another small update, the helicopter is now complete, unfortunately I could not safe the original Calypso decals for its floats, so at the moment Cousteau's own Schweizer is at the shop for maintenance and has gotten a replacement from the Neptun
The funnel has been installed as well, en the underside colors on the helipad are drying, the continuation will be on my next day off, next friday, however the next steps won't be that easy at all. Namely installing the deck in the hull, and I already know there will be gaps and issues...
But the dryfit for the moment :
That is turnng out great! I can't wait to see the finished build.
A friend flew the helicopter for the Calypso. It was originally a Hughes 269 B replaced by a Hughes 269 C model which is also called a Hughes 300C. In 1980 They traded in the original B for the C with a Helicopter Dealer in Kingston Ontario when the Cylypso did a tour of the St. Lawrence river and Great Lakes. When the new one was painted in Calypso colours and ready he flew it up to The Saguenay River which is downstream past Quebec and landed aboard. He spent months on board and has some hilarious stories of life aboard.
I have a very nice photo of the Calypso in the seaway in Montreal but can not post it here.
Schweizer did not get involved with the 269/300 series until 1986.
If anyone wants to host the photo here send me a PM with an email address and I'll send it to you.
You have never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3!
Well, here we are again with a little update.
The ship itself is now almost complete and today I tried to complete the most difficult part of the kit : the masts and antennas.
I suppose it wasn't even a very easy task when the molds for the kit were fresh and new, and parts fit well together... and now time hasn't made it a much easier task.
I'm only slightly satisfied with the result since I have the feeling that the masts are leaning just a tad backwards while I think the alumnium antenna is leaning a little forward, but hey, that's how I got it together and I've never come this far on this kit before.
Looking good! Keep plugging away with it.
That's a great subject you got there! It brings back memories of watching "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau" on Sunday evenings while we ate dinner. It planted a firm desire to learn how to scuba dive, although it took me until college to do so. But I recall one calm summer day in ideal diving conditions, I felt that same thrill of watching Cousteau on TV as I rounded a coral head which revealed a sprawling sandbar. A most magic moment for me.
Oh, and a friend had the Revell Calypso model back in the day. We endlessly played with it on his living room floor. The mini subs and shark were my favorite!
“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”
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