That ship underwent so many conversions. I counted at least 5 from internet photos. The kit version appears to be from the early to mid 1960's. The classic Revell kit is from the 1970s. In addition to the basic configurations, gear was rather constantly being added and removed. The helicopter platform provided was fitted to the bow (yes the bow) of the ship on an Anarctic expedition in about 1972. It appears to have been removed after the expedition, then a short time later, the one on the amidships position was permanently added. The helicopter itself is fanciful. Cousteau used at least 3 different Hughes 269 helos. The kit chopper looks to be some sort of French Gazelle-like design.
The basic version the kit gives (but with all sorts of parts to convert to other versions) is the image of the ship sailing past the Statue of Liberty in this article:
https://www.rolexmagazine.com/1998/05/jacques-yves-cousteau-greatest-explorer.html?m=1
Many thanks again for the images, Lars!
There is the 3D printed kit of Cousteau's famous research vessel Calypso (a former BYMS).
The kit shows here in a early fit, with the early bridge etc. I had first thought it would be wrong, but now I realised that I need more literature. A recommendation to me was Calypso. 26 ans d'exploration scientifique des mers by Cousteau and Sivirine. I just found only the Spanish version (EL CALYPSO. 26 años de exploración científica de los mares) for a reasonable price.
Here, photos of the kit:
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