Adventures in modelling

painted, along with the pillars in (see photo 15) The pillars and supports needed very careful assembly to ensure a completely flat area on which to sit the removable deck, especially as this was to hold a large part of the boat’s detail (see Photo 16). As previously mentioned, the majority of the larger plastic parts (which, incidentally, are beautifully molded) are supplied on sprues (see Photo 17), such as those for the helipad, which you can see following assembly in my photographs.

You may have noticed by now that I don’t necessarily build in the kit manufacturer’s intended sequence. By my own personal choice, therefore, at this point I decided to tackle the rear hatch, along with a strong magnetic hold down. This is because this has to hold some weight along with the helicopter and helipad. so I fitted a fairly strong magnet with a small magnetic disc (see Photo 18). Because there were items to be mounted below the helipad, which still needed to be assembled, I then concentrated on constructing the various modules/’mini kits’ (see Photo 19).

The main mast and rigging

We now arrive at what I found the most challenging task: the main mast. I had to make some modifications here, notably the size of the lamp platform, enlarged to mount the working lamp housings. I am sure Billings originally intended the mast assembly to be part of the cabin, but I decided to change the mounting rods to hollow brass tubes, which I mounted in new positions, with the object of running cables inside to power the lights.

details. The two outside aerials with the football shape tops are made to slide down (as shown) for transport and raised for display. I also omitted some of the standing and running rigging, because, as this is to be an operation model, I felt the extra cording would simply get in the way.

Detailing

The assembly of the helicopter itself was very straightforward. The installation of a motor to operate its main rota, however, required a little more thought. This was eventually achieved by using a small motor from an old cell phone (there to power the vibration mechanism). I chickened out getting the tail rotor working too!

Photo 21 shows all the main assembly complete but awaiting detailing, a prospect I’d looked forward to right from the start. My only small gripe here concerns the transfers supplied with the kit. Mine broke up on removal. Fortunately, I’d taken the precaution of printing multiple copies with a laser printer on very thin, clear, adhesive A4 vinyl paper (available from MDP vinyl suppliers). I also added a little light relief on the lifebelts by including the ship’s name (see Photo 22)

Photo 23 shows Calypso being displayed on our Yeovil & District Model Boat Club stand at a local model show. The wealth of detail incorporated in this newly returned to the market Billings kit caused quite a stir, and I have to say hats off to the whole team at Billings for all the work they’ve put into totally reinvigorating the brand since it was taken under the wing of the Vestergaard Group.

After sales support

The kit for the Calypso is designated a skill level best suited to experienced modelers, and I have to concur with this. Make no mistake, though, this is definitely a kit worth all the time and effort involved, and rest assured you will get full and ongoing support from Billings should any be needed along the way. After sales support is exemplary. For example, during construction I discovered I was missing three small brass items, but a quick email to Billings received an almost instant response, with the necessary parts immediately despatched, and arriving, with an apology, within days.

Final touches

My final pictures show Calypso’s problemfree maiden voyage at our club’s sailing venue behind the Halfway House Inn Country Lodge in Yeovil, Somerset (see Photo 24). I’d never normally launch a model without first adding at least a helmsman but with Calypso this rule had to be broken due to initially being unable to find any figures of the correct type and scale. Fortunately, thanks to the discovery of a fairly new scanning company – which produces a wealth of figures in all scales, and a bit of help from my artistic daughter (my own abilities when it comes to painting figures being somewhat dubious), I’ll soon have a full complement of crew, including Jacques-Yves Cousteau himself! ●