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CALYPSO model

We have a model in stock, located here: Calypso after refit

For remote control model, please go here: RC Calypso model

Calypso was an American-built wooden-hulled minesweeper that had been transformed into a fully equipped ocean exploration vessel by Jacques-Yves Cousteau in 1950. Calypso carried advanced equipment, including one- and two-man mini submarines developed by Cousteau, and a diving saucer.  In 1956, he made a "diving saucer" SP-350, an experimental underwater vehicle which could reach a depth of 350 meters. The successful experiment was quickly repeated in 1965 with two vehicles which reached 500 meters. Calypso was also fitted with a see-through "nose", an observation chamber three meter below the waterline, and was modified to house scientific equipment and a helicopter pad.

In 1976, Calypso uncovered the wreck of HMHS Britannic. Cousteau also found the wreck of the French 17th-century ship-of-the-line La Therese in coastal waters of Crete.

On 11 January 1996, Calypso was accidentally rammed and sunk in the port of Singapore by a barge. She was refloated and towed home to France.
 

Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the Aqua-lung, pioneered marine conservation and was a member of the Académie française.  His numerous inventions and underwater techniques have been a significant factor in unraveling the secrets of the sea. 

Cousteau described his underwater world research in a series of books, perhaps the most successful being his first book, The Silent World: A Story of Undersea Discovery and Adventure, published in 1953.  Cousteau also directed films, most notably the documentary adaptation of the book, The Silent World, which won a Palme d'or at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. He remained the only person to win a Palme d'Or for a documentary film, until Michael Moore won the award in 2004 for Fahrenheit 9/11.

This primarily wood, plank-on-frame hull, model of the Calypso is 36" long x 17" tall x 7" wide $3,490 Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $400 flat rate.

Model is built per commission only. We require only a small deposit (not full amount, not even half) for materials to start the construction $500  The remaining balance won't be due until the boat is completed, in several months.

We have a model in stock, located here: Calypso after refit

For remote control model, please go here: RC Calypso model

Don't be fooled by some very bad Calypso models out there. At first look, they might appear OK. However, linger more and you will see numerous errors. Some obvious ones: wrong hull (note how round the bow is), wrong props, wrong shaft, wrong boats, simplified helicopter. There are many more but we do not waste your time to list them. Those models are an insult to Mr. Cousteau.

Photos show below the construction in progress. Premium quality from the inside out. Planked wood hull, not a piece of flimsy plastic like that of a kit.

Learn more about the Calypso boat here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RV_Calypso