Revell 1:125th Ocean Exploration Vessel
Comments
TimHello, good to see another build in progress of this, will be interested to see how you get on. Its a fun kit but taking me ages to do! here is the kit link so it does not come up as scratch built and others can find it. Ocean Exploration Vessel (Revell 05101, 1:125)
Rob Henderson@Tim - Thanks! It's surprising just how much is packed into this kit, even though the majority of the construction is quite basic. Hopefully I've edited the project/album correctly so it's not listing as scratch-built anymore!! Will be keeping an eye on your progress with this one too 👍
Ben MWatching -- watched "Jacques Cousteau's Voyage to the Edge of the World" the other night. I loved building this kit when I was a kid as well... if I come across one, I'll pick it up.
Rob Henderson@ Ben - as a kit it's showing it's age, but the scope for detailing and/or dioramas is huge. Definitely worth a go if you find one!
Łukasz GlińskiAnother Calypso fan reporting his attendance😉 Seems like I was lucky to find one below 25 quid 🙂
Album info
Originally released as the RV Calypso used by Jacques Cousteau, this 2010 re-box is essentially the same kit as released by Revell in 1976 but no longer carrying the Cousteau/Calypso markings.
I had the original kit back in the late 1970's as a Christmas gift. Back then (I was 7 or 8 years old), I did a fair mix of paint/no paint builds. Calypso was a no-paint project, but it was built and played with nonetheless! It went through numerous repair sessions, but sadly didn't survive the test of time.
I started collecting replacements for the various builds I did as a child, and after searching for an original Calypso I went for the re-box as a much cheaper alternative!
This is being built in memory of a work colleague and crew-mate in the Ambulance Service who was also a keen model maker (armour and figures). He was instrumental in getting me back into the hobby during the summer of 2020 as when not treating patients and driving from A to B, we chatted a lot about model making, military history etc.
He was always very keen to see this one built, and frequently asked "You started that boat yet?" when I saw him or was on duty with him.
Sadly, he won't get to see it complete as he died due to Covid in January 2021....but wherever he may be now, I can at least say "Actually mate, yes I have started it..!"
One thing in particular I've found in researching RV Calypso is that it went through countless refits and modifications during it's working life, making it difficult to pin down exact colour and detail for any one year of service or expedition. Also, the close-up shots show that as a working vessel, the ship is well worn in places - repairs and modifications are very agricultural in their finesse!
As a result, the colour scheme for details are going to be a 'close-enough' representation. She's not going to be pristine, that's for sure!
The build will be essentially out-the-box, with a few minor scratch add-ons (such as winch cables, rope lines). I will also be attempting to make my own decals to represent the RV Calypso. If that fails, I'll hand paint the markings.
