Calypso by mandolinut - Billing Boats - 1:45

[Nunnehi (Don)]

You’re most welcome!

[Mark Wilder]

23 hours ago, mandolinut said:

I am very happy with the high level of detail from the Billing Calypso regarding the numerous brass parts on the crane, wench, windless, portholes, and numerous other deck features. 

However, the helicopter falls short , lacking any detail which would be ok if there was no detail anywhere else. Thanks to fellow Calypso builder Don Nunnehi , I saw where he used the Bell oh-13  Sioux helicopter by Italeria.  1:48 scale as opposed to 1:45 scale of Calypso....close enough.   This model has amazing detail in the cockpit and building the engine is a subproject within a subproject :0)

There are many engine parts as you will see in this photo showing only some of the engine parts.  I plan to use the cockpit and clear canopy and engine from this Italeria kit and then scratch build the rear body and tail section to match the Calypso Hughs 300 helicopter. Received the kit in the mail and started gathering engine parts. I will use the pontoons supplied by Billing to attach below the helicopter. Thanks again to Don for the idea. 

Here is a fun video of the engine build I came across: 

 

There are upgrades available from Eduard. 
https://www.eduard.com/index.php?lang=1&currency=2&cl=search&listorderby=oxarticles.oxactivefrom&listorder=desc&sendSearchForm=1&searchparam=Sioux

 

[mandolinut]

I added the previously built side rails today and began planking the upper deck. Used a black EXPO dry erase pen with a flat applicator, as I used on the main deck,  to blacken the planks edges before gluing them down.  This will take a few more days. Enjoying the journey.

[mandolinut]

I have been out of town for a while and was anxious to begin finishing the upper deck on Calypso. I will now put the supports in for the upper deck that come off of the lower cabins before attaching it.

 

[mandolinut]

I had been putting off painting and installing the supporting columns for the upper deck until I was ready to attach the upper deck because the columns would appear to be fragile until the upper deck is installed.

Gave the brass columns a light sanding and applied primer and then paint. Drilled holes in the decking and installed them. In the photo, the upper deck and wheelhouse and chimney are just sitting there (dry fit).

I had to grind down the top off of a few of the brass columns to make them fit without raising the upper deck.

Also adding black paint to the sides. 

 

 

[mandolinut]

I am working on a few peripheral projects including the helicopter and the foredeck windlass.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I found a very detailed helicopter model in the same scale as Calypso with a lot of detail regarding the engine and cockpit. I felt the one piece molded clear plastic helicopter body/ engine  (see photo) that came with the model kit fell short of matching the detail of all of the beautiful brass deck hardware. I will modify the rear end of this helicopter model to match Calypso's.  I still have not attached the upper deck.

Helicopter started. Needs painting with detail on the engine and instrument cluster.

This is what comes with the kit. No interior cabin detail or engine detail. 

 

[mandolinut]

Here is a photo showing similar high detail of the helicopter with the crane and windlass. This will look like Calypso's helicopter when I am finished.

[mandolinut]

I did some initial painting of the helicopter today. When dry, the fuselage will need sanding before the next coat of yellow paint is applied. Dry fitted the basic tail section. More to come.  The second photo is to show scale.  The forward curves of the landing gear will be clipped, and the pontoons will be added to the bottom.