Cousteau Project Update. . .

[sea.explorer]

Here are some pics from my latest project. As many of you know I have been working on an exact replica of the Hydrodynamic Housing from the Undersea World Series. This project is unique in that the replica is made from molds taken from original parts. I have had to fabricate only the shoulder portion from scratch. I have consulted with the person who assembled the originals and I am visiting the Cousteau Society in Virginia next week in order to photograph the last details and meet with their Historian. I hope to have the first complete replica finished by the end of April. Stay tuned for more details.
-Ryan
This shows the original parts and the reproduction parts:

Breats Plate & Shoulder portions Shown with original housing parts:

[falco]

I'm amazed Ryan! It does look exactly like the original ones. I've seen the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau chapter: "Sharks" ... and they're pretty graphics showing the outer and inner parts of this cases, including the communication system, located right in the middle. An awesome job! I'm planning to go with my family to Hampton, Virginia (I live in NJ)... to the Cousteau Society US Headquarters... would be great if you can share with us some pictures of the artifacts that for sure they have from old expeditions... so, we can have a sneak preview if what we'll see over there.

[sea.explorer]

I will definitely post some photos when I return. I may have the opportunity to view some of the items that are not on public display but we will see. I plan on documenting the items on display with detailed photos and notes. Here is a low quality preview of the Museum. It is small and fairly unorganized:

beta.hamptoncvb.com/360tours.cfm?startrecord=5&category=city_hampton

-Ryan

[falco]

Actually Ryan,,, I'm very curious... where did you get an original Cousteau tank case to use it as a mold? Did you try to make one of their helmets?.... I'm not sure...but based on the rust that I can observe on pictures of Cousteau team helmets..seems like they either were made of a kind if metal or maybe the black frames that shaped those helmets were metallic.

[sea.explorer]

That would be the trick I have been conduction research and collecting original Cousteau equipment for a few years now. I have all kinds of goodies collected from former Cousteau crew members and other private collections. The helmets and housings were made from fiberglass. What looks like rust is actually the adhesive used to attach the rubber trim. They were not made to the closest tolerances as they had to only look good on Film. I have a couple of original helmets in the collection, a silver and rare yellow one that was only used in one film. I do not have one of the yellow ones that match the housing but I am looking. I may make one from scratch depending on how accurately I can photograph and dimension one at the Cousteau museum. I will likely find an original one eventually. I did just finish a replica of the silver helmet made from an original. I will post photos before too long. Send me a private message with your e-mail and I will send you some photos on some of my collection. If you do a search for Cousteau both here and at www.vintagedoublehose.com you will find many of my posts on Cousteau related topics. -Ryan