Build shots - Cousteau's Calypso in 1/125

1
October 15, 2019
Drilling port holes near the bow
2
October 15, 2019
The moulded anchor was filed away and hole drilled
3
October 15, 2019
Adding bow observation chamber windows
4
October 15, 2019
Before (right) and after (left) of moulded anchor removal.
5
October 15, 2019
Moulded anchor removal
6
October 15, 2019
Observation chamber windows drilled out
7
October 15, 2019
Drilled windows in observation chamber
8
October 15, 2019
Drilling out windows and port holes in super structure parts
9
October 15, 2019
Drilling out windows and port holes
10
October 15, 2019
Improving capstan shape
11
October 15, 2019
Improving capstan shape
12
October 15, 2019
Removing molded anchor chain and drilling chain pipe
13
January 29, 2020
Using brass tube for straight and crisper prop shafts
14
January 29, 2020
Original helipad
15
January 29, 2020
Original helipad. Actual ship has trusses underneath
16
January 29, 2020
Cutting away styrene under helipad
17
January 29, 2020
New trusses under helipad made from Plastruct 4.8mm styrene truss
18
January 29, 2020
New trusses under helipad made from Plastruct 4.8mm styrene truss
19
January 29, 2020
Milliput and wood to support display stand plinth holes
20
March 22, 2020
Temporary stand for painting and construction
21
March 25, 2020
Main mast structure glued together. Stuck to OOB for this.
22
March 26, 2020
Hydraulic hoses made of 28 gauge beading wire
23
March 26, 2020
Hydraulic hoses made of 28 gauge beading wire on Yumbo crane and winches
24
March 26, 2020
Cable conduits on mast made of 28 gauge beading wire
25
May 24, 2020
Adding watertight door handles made from 0.3 mm copper wire bent in a master tools grab handle/ladder rung jig. They look a bit over scaled but better than bare doors, I hope.
26
May 24, 2020
Adding watertight door handles made from 0.3 mm copper wire bent in a master tools grab handle/ladder rung jig. They look a bit over scaled but better than bare doors, I hope.
27
May 24, 2020
Adding watertight door handles made from 0.3 mm copper wire bent in a master tools grab handle/ladder rung jig. They look a bit over scaled but better than bare doors, I hope.
28
May 24, 2020
Adding watertight door handles made from 0.3 mm copper wire bent in a master tools grab handle/ladder rung jig. They look a bit over scaled but better than bare doors, I hope.
29
May 24, 2020
Anchor windlass brake controls made from 0.3 mm copper wire. They should have a wheel top but these will be better than nothing I think.
30
June 8, 2020
Making a start on painting. Trying some preshading to make the white less uniform. It's humbrol enamel satin white. The question is how much preshade to leave showing.
31
June 8, 2020
Making a start on painting. Trying some preshading to make the white less uniform. It's humbrol enamel satin white. The question is how much preshade to leave showing.
32
June 8, 2020
Making a start on painting. Trying some preshading to make the white less uniform. It's humbrol enamel satin white. The question is how much preshade to leave showing.
33
June 16, 2020
I mixed 5 parts humbrol enamel 73 to 3 parts humbrol enamel 100 for the hull red. I was just going to use humbrol 73 only, but felt it was not red enough. I'll use the humbrol 73 for the stern and deck fixings.
34
June 16, 2020
Hull red on, trying to keep the right amount of preshading still visible.
35
June 16, 2020
Hull red on, trying to keep the right amount of preshading still visible.
36
June 16, 2020
Hull red on, trying to keep the right amount of preshading still visible.
37
June 16, 2020
Insides of bullwarks are grey.
38
June 16, 2020
Some dark grey for the winches.
39
June 16, 2020
The upper and main deck superstructure have a grey boot line along their base. Used humbrol enamel 1 for this. Should have just masked the grey then spray white rather than doing this way round.
40
June 19, 2020
Masked for black boot line spraying.
41
June 19, 2020
42
June 19, 2020
Masking tape removed. Overall it worked fine, but some touching needed due to some making tape becoming loose.
43
June 19, 2020
Preshading helipad.
44
July 13, 2020
Getting started on superstructure detail painting.
45
July 13, 2020
Keeping the mded life rings. Think I will try and print some decals to go on the life rings of 'CALYPSO TOULON' as in reference images. images.app.goo.gl/xK3dLbMRDfYJutdk6
46
July 13, 2020
Adding some brass tube to replicate details not molded in kit.
47
July 13, 2020
Removal of molded stanchion ropes /chains.
48
July 13, 2020
Masking brown painted decks ready for antifoul red spraying. Very time consuming.
49
July 14, 2020
Aft hatch cover. Not sure what the raised circle details represent.
50
July 14, 2020
Aft hatch cover scribed to replace raised lines. I believe this hatch cover is antifoul red in colour, but in ref photos is often seen with a green tarp over it.
51
July 22, 2020
Deck hatch painted but not weathered
52
July 22, 2020
Painting the decks.
53
July 22, 2020
54
July 22, 2020
Painting the decks. Attempt at deck planking effect after gloss Varnish coat.
55
July 22, 2020
Helicopter pad progress. Trusses brush painted with metal cotte
56
July 22, 2020
Top deck painted in antifoul red as per the scheme I am using. This maybe grey or bare wood at other periods of the ships life.
57
July 22, 2020
Added a navigation light to the funnel rear as seen in reference images. Made using plastic rod and sheet and will be painted with a lense.
58
July 22, 2020
First ever attempt at DIY inkjet printer decals. Mainly for vessel name and home port labels on life rings but also to add colour some other details like outboards and name plates. I have sealed them with humbrol enamel gloss Varnish which seems OK so far. Test will be how they go down on the model, how they react to decal fix and how they look.
59
July 23, 2020
Happy with first ever attempt at DIY decals. Inkjet clear decal sheet sealed with humbrol enamel gloss varnish from tinlet. Need to make some life ring brackets still somehow, probably with plasticard.
60
July 23, 2020
The life ring decals worked great. The decal for the brass letters on the wood name plate was not so good due to the clear backing. Will need to rethink how best to do the name plate.
61
August 2, 2020
Hull weathering and matt cote application done.
62
August 2, 2020
Hull weathering and matt cote application done.
63
August 2, 2020
Replacing the molded anchors with these resin ones will make a big improvement to any build of this kit.
64
August 2, 2020
Replacing the molded anchors with these resin ones will make a big improvement to any build of this kit.
65
November 1, 2020
Hull installed on the display base so that the decks and superstructure can be securely attached without damage.
66
November 6, 2020
Second deck on with Bridge house
67
November 2, 2020
Main deck now glued in place. Not the greatest fit, especially at the stern, but it's progress.
68
November 6, 2020
Second deck on with Bridge House. Funnel test fitted.
69
November 6, 2020
Second deck on with Bridge house
70
November 6, 2020
Trying to improve heli pad supports with styrene I-beam
71
November 6, 2020
Trying to improve heli pad supports with styrene I-beam and some original parts.
72
November 6, 2020
Trying to improve heli pad supports with styrene I-beam and some original parts.
73
November 6, 2020
Trying to improve heli pad supports with styrene I-beam and some modified kit parts.
74
November 6, 2020
Test fitting helipad on new helipad supports
75
November 9, 2020
New pulley mounts for yumbo crane wire and master link on boom.
76
November 9, 2020
Adding cables to winches and Yumbo crane. Made from 0.4mm tow cable (see project inventory).
77
November 9, 2020
Yumbo crane pulley wheels cut with razor saw to allow cable to sit inside them and new pulley mount in end of boom.
78
February 13, 2021
79
November 9, 2020
Adding cables to winches. Made from 0.4mm tow cable (see project inventory).
80
November 16, 2020
I'm going to try and hi the hughes 300 helicopter as best I can,as it is a quite a feature of the build and point of interest. So need to keep good ref images to hand.
81
November 16, 2020
Adding some ballast just in case I addweight to the tail boom through scratch building. Unlikely to tail sit though due to large floats, and I will probably glue it to the heli pad. Better safe than sorry though.
82
November 16, 2020
Making seats and harnesses.
83
November 16, 2020
Scratch building cockpit detail.
84
November 16, 2020
Adding fuel tank straps with thin styrene.
85
November 16, 2020
Added detail to fuel tanks and scratch built cockpit interior.
86
November 30, 2020
Replacing tail boom with brass tube for a crisper finish.
87
November 30, 2020
Old rotor blades next to the new ones. Definite improvement and not too tricky
88
November 30, 2020
After removing the old rotor blades the rotor head was carefully sawn with a razor saw to make grooves for scratch built thinner blades.
89
November 30, 2020
Replacement tail boom and rotor shaft support struts made of fine styrene rod and new brass tube rotor shaft
90
November 30, 2020
Replacement tail boom struts and rotor shaft support struts made of fine styrene rod and new brass tube rotor shaft, tail boom and rotor blades. Note the kits parts next to it for comparison.
91
November 30, 2020
Close up of Hughes 300 structure improvements.
92
December 3, 2020
Scratch built tail stabiliser, tail rotor and wire rotor guard. The kit tail boom assembly is quite poor in detail and chunky
93
December 3, 2020
Comparison of kit tail parts and scratch built tail section.
94
December 3, 2020
Hughes 300 build pretty much finished.
95
January 17, 2021
Reference for satellite antenna on bridge house. Motors would change the angle and direction of the antenna based on the ship and satellite position I think. Most photos of the calypso with this fitted have the main H-part of the anntena at an elevated angle from what I can tell.
96
January 17, 2021
Modified satellite antenna using plastruct rod and kit truss mast. I drilled a hole through the kit truss frame to try and make it look thinner and more realistic. The thin x-shaped antenna elements are far from uniform but it looks OK and better than basic kit part.
97
January 31, 2021
Hand wheels used.
98
January 31, 2021
Plastistruct companions
99
January 31, 2021
Anchor windlass with PE handwheels
100
January 31, 2021
Bridge roof companion and main mast installed.
101
January 31, 2021
PE ladder from white ensign (1/125 scale) on funnel
102
January 31, 2021
Modified PE hand wheel for Bridge spinning window inspired by Frank Spahr
103
January 31, 2021
Main mast installed. Not straight which I'm disappointed about.
104
February 13, 2021
Bollards, oar holders, benches and oars added to the two kit boats.
105
March 2, 2021
106
March 2, 2021
Not sure if I will add side windows at this stage
107
March 2, 2021
108
March 2, 2021
109
March 2, 2021
110
May 6, 2021
Sea flea subs have styrene strip added to edges and water jet nozzles added which are missing from the kit. Hatch handle is made from toothbrush bristle type plastic. Observation holes drilled out. Some panel lines were also added with a scriber.
111
May 6, 2021
Sea flea subs have styrene strip added to edges and water jet nozzles added which are missing from the kit. Hatch handle is made from toothbrush bristle type plastic. Observation holes drilled out. Some panel lines added also with a scriber
112
May 6, 2021
Grey primer first then a thin white satin coat to help following yellow paint look bright.
113
March 16, 2021
LA TROÏKA sledge cut back before scratch building.
114
March 16, 2021
Cutting away and sanding down poorly moulded tube details. They were replaced with half round and round styrene.
115
March 16, 2021
LA TROÏKA camera sledge improvements. Its an odd asymmetrical design to make it self righting.
116
March 16, 2021
LA TROÏKA camera sledge improvements. Poorly moulded tube details were replaced with half round and round styrene. Camera and light from 1/72 Shinkai model kit spares.
117
May 6, 2021
Grey primer is applied first then a thin white satin coat will help the yellow paint look bright.
118
May 3, 2021
Screen shot of saucer sub in Brittanic expedition
119
May 3, 2021
Screen shot of saucer sub in Brittanic expedition
120
May 3, 2021
Screen shot of saucer sub in Brittanic expedition
121
May 3, 2021
Adding some details to the SP-350. A bit of kit bashing and using wire and cut chain.
122
May 3, 2021
Adding some details to the SP-350. A bit of kit bashing and using wire and cut chain.
123
May 6, 2021
Grey primer is applied first then a thin white satin coat will help the yellow paint look bright.
124
May 3, 2021
Diving bell. Some styrene detail added and windows drilled out. Wires scuba tube and empty scuba tank rack made form styrene strip.
125
May 6, 2021
Grey primer is applied first then a thin white satin coat will help the yellow paint look bright.
126
May 3, 2021
Diving bell. Some styrene detail added and windows drilled out.
127
May 3, 2021
Side scan sonar being deployed from the bow main mast davit during Brittanic expedition.
128
January 3, 2022
Mini subs and diving bell installed
129
January 3, 2022
Mini subs and diving bell installed
130
January 3, 2022
Nearly finished. Display case still to build plus some paint touch ups
131
January 6, 2022
Album of finished model here scalemates.com/profi..bums&album=80165

42 15 October 2019, 20:31

Nathan Dempsey
Interesting subject, can't wait to see the progression of this build.

15 October 2019, 20:57

Tom ...
permission to come aboard!

15 October 2019, 23:33

Norbert Steffens
I'm in. Very interesting model.

16 October 2019, 05:12

Tim
Permission granted Tom. This should be a fun build I hope. Lots of flash and cleaning to do on the parts. It's a great subject, I have real interest in research vessels.

16 October 2019, 06:51

Tim
At this link is the best version of this revell kit I have seen in terms of detail.
britmodeller.com/for..ch/&tab=comments

16 October 2019, 06:51

Tim
This is the best version I have seen on the Web regarding a diorama by Tatsuya Kaneko. [img1]

16 October 2019, 06:52

Treehugger
Charming model. 🙂 I would at the very least use bits of thin transparent plastic sheet for the cabin windows. Now that I think about it, I am not sure how to best glue on such thin windows, maybe superglue in tiny amounts at the edges if possible, or one big sheet behind the windows. I guess I could simply experiment with gluing on such thin windows, by using a piece of styrene strip and a piece of plast transparent plastic sheet.

16 October 2019, 06:56

Tim
I was going to try and the windows using humbrol clearfix which worked on smaller windows on the Le Suroit model. If the windows are too big, yes I'll use transparent plastic sheets from packaging glued with humbrol clear fix.

16 October 2019, 07:03

Holger Kranich
Oh yeah, i am in! Looks like a good start, Tim!

16 October 2019, 07:07

Tom ...
Great job on the helipad infrastructure!

29 January 2020, 00:25

Łukasz Gliński
Watching, mine still waits in the box

29 January 2020, 11:19

Ben M
Watching... one of my favorite kits I built when I was a kid. I might build it again, want to see what you do with it, in terms of improvements.

10 February 2020, 19:26

Spanjaard
interesting 🙂

25 March 2020, 23:27

Łukasz Gliński
This album will become my reference material one day 👍

27 March 2020, 09:35

Ben M
Pic #29 - might be able to use brakewheel from model train universe.

26 May 2020, 16:28

Tim
Slowly making a start on the painting.

8 June 2020, 13:55

Tim
Good suggestion Ben M

8 June 2020, 13:56

Łukasz Gliński
Great progress, lovely job

8 June 2020, 14:16

Tim
Tried my first ever DIY decals on calypso tonight. Mixed results, but overall very pleased with how the life rings look after their name and home port decal application. Just need another coat of humbrol clear then weathering on main hull and decks

23 July 2020, 21:29

Łukasz Gliński
I'm at the same point with my trawler - the lifesavers. Keep it up, it's gonna be awesome reference for future builders (perhaps me too) 🙂

23 July 2020, 21:37

Ben M
Agree the lifesavers look fantastic! Great work with the custom decals.

23 July 2020, 23:43

Łukasz Gliński
Wish I knew which anchors to buy for my trawler, yours look great 👍

2 November 2020, 15:58

Tim
Lukasz I got mine from starling models. The set in the project invetroy that I got for this build have a good range of sizes. They are for battle ships, so work out for smaller ships in larger scales like the Calypso and possibly your trawler.

2 November 2020, 21:54

Tim
Made some good progress on the Hughes helicopter tonight. Its taking a while to work on a small part of the kit, but worth the effort as it will be a focal point. And it's one of the best bits about the real Calypso.

30 November 2020, 23:16

Spanjaard
looking good. i specially like how the Hughes is going 🙂

1 December 2020, 00:04

Ben M
I enjoyed all the helicopters and boats and submarines when I built this kit years ago. Lots of little kits.

1 December 2020, 00:36

Tom ...
Excellent work, as usual!

1 December 2020, 02:41

Łukasz Gliński
Wow, that chopper looks impressive, more like 1/72

1 December 2020, 09:57

Gluefinger
Brings back memories. First built this as a child 40+ years ago; the (badly yellowed) decals with the original Calypso name are still in my stash. Built this again with my niece 10 years ago; had lots of fun with the boat and all the accessories it comes with. I think I have to get another copy...

1 December 2020, 17:29

Rob Henderson
Superb work going on here Tim - following with great interest as currently working on the re-box but making it as RV Calypso instead 👍

10 February 2021, 11:50

Łukasz Gliński
Where did you find all that references? 😮

10 February 2021, 12:14

Tim
Lukasz. See the project stash/items for a reference book by siverine I bought off ebay. I also have Cousteau DVDs which help. This website is also very helpful passioncalypso.com/fr/. And Google images!

10 February 2021, 18:32

Hanno Kleinecke
Childhood memories ! One pf my favourite books when I was at my grandad's, was Costeau' s book „The Whale" with a lot of pictures of the Calypso and her equipment. I used to spend hours looking at the photos ( age 6) of course I built this Kit later on and used it as a toy like we all did at some point I guess..... Great attention to detail, looking very good so far !

13 February 2021, 19:19

Archibaldd Haddock
Love it! 😄
Cheers mate

13 February 2021, 21:26

Tim
Applied my DIY decals last night. It was a bit of a disaster. I don't think I had enough coats of varnish on the decals as the ink was running and they were very fragile. Using decal fix or water did not seem to make much difference. I applied them anyway and will need to touch up with paint. Pretty frustrating.,but hopefully they will look OK from a distance.

26 February 2021, 09:40

Archibaldd Haddock
Dear Tim
Modelling is also a challenge... everything is connected. This is a multidisciplinary hobby. The must important is that you having fun! 😄
Cheers mate

26 February 2021, 13:47

Tim
Good point Paulo. It's only a model. It's a lesson learned anyway.

26 February 2021, 16:00

Archibaldd Haddock
Cheers mate, keep up! 😄 i'm in

26 February 2021, 16:24

Carlos Cisneros
Man I used to love watching each episode of The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau! I'm now loving watching you improve this classic kit! I can hear the narration in my mind while looking at your project.

2 March 2021, 23:23

Spanjaard
beautiful chopper!

2 March 2021, 23:30

Tim
Glued a number of pieces onto the main ship now after some painting sessions. Looking more complete but still lots to do on it. It's never ending! Nice to get the Hughes 300 helo and NASA anntena glued on, hopefully i'll stop breaking them now.

2 March 2021, 23:31

Tim
Cheers Carlos and Paulo.

2 March 2021, 23:31

Don Edgecomb
Great build! I love this model due to all the different things going on the ship. I built this when I was in High School and would do it again. Even rigged the divers cage with the shark swimming around it..

3 March 2021, 03:40

Michael Osadciw
"And now we see Falco disappearing into the whale shark's gaping maw. It is magnificent."

3 May 2021, 17:52

Ben M
Michael, you capture the mood perfectly. This build seems to be going great!

4 May 2021, 00:00

Łukasz Gliński
The details are amazing, the chopper looks so real. I'm getting scared of starting mine now 😉
All these remote subs look like some Star Wars equipment 😉
PS. Looks like a typo sneaked into your screenshot captions 😄 They make me LOL all the time 😄

6 May 2021, 09:18

Tim
Oops that was a bad typo! I'm always writing them quickly on my phone. Thanks for the heads up and encouragement Łukasz.

6 May 2021, 17:54

Tim
Another useful set of reference images I forgot to use during my build. facebook.com/humbert..853043084&type=3

10 May 2021, 10:58

Łukasz Gliński
Wow, thanks for sharing 👍

10 May 2021, 11:00

Tim
I'm hopeful I can finish this model by the end of week, finally.

3 January 2022, 08:57

Spanjaard
Really like the SP-350!

3 January 2022, 15:24

Ben M
So glad to see updates on this! I loved this kit so much as a kid, and I'm enjoying watching you do it to such a high standard.

3 January 2022, 16:31

Charles Sanchez
Iconic mini sub and ship, great job. Thanx for sharing.

3 January 2022, 17:17

Tom ...
So enjoyed this build. She's a beauty! You put your heart into her and it shows!

3 January 2022, 22:45

Tim
Images of finished model here Completed Revell Cousteau's Calypso in 1/125 | Album by Menaivalley (1:125)

6 January 2022, 20:52

Spanjaard
really fantastic job

6 January 2022, 22:13

Album info

It took me ages to find this kit, so I want to do a good job. I have lots of reference material which should help.

All images have captions explaining the build methods

Cousteau's Calypso, 1/125 by Revell

152 图片

1:125

已完成

1:200 4 type Rigging blocks for 1:200~1:144 ship model (ModelshipJP YPMALH2D8)

No Handle Tools Suit (Master Tools 09921)

1:350 Set of US Navy Stockless Anchor (North Star Models NSA350143)

No Open Web Truss – Warren Style 2 (Plastruct 90652)

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Build shots - Cousteau's Calypso in 1/125

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