https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9rospatiale_Gazelle
The Gazelle is "small, and French" and Cousteau was French. "Close enough" for them. I don't believe it was a failed attempt to make a Hughes 269. I think they just substituted a Gazelle because it was easier. And French...
Thank you for the link! The photos there show Calypso as she is in the kit.
I thought about building her in 1972/73 (Antarktica expedition), but I would have to convert the bridge.
The helicopter in the kit looks strange. The Hughes 269 is very difficult in that scale and I assume that is an failed attempt to make one. As far as I understand, Calypso's bridge was converted in 1966 and she only later got a helicopter (I am waiting on the additional book to verify that).
Responses