Calypso— Custom LEGO®  Model

A nostalgic 1:40 scale brick recreation of a legendary vessel

• Commissioned by:  Not applicable
• Scale: 1:40
• Model Length: 105 cm
• Built: 2012
  

About Calypso

• Calypso began her life in 1942 as a British Yard Minesweeper (BYMS‑26), serving in the Mediterranean during WWII. After wartime duties and a stint as a ferry, she was converted into the iconic research vessel Calypso in the 1950s for Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s oceanographic expeditions.
• KONAJRA’s LEGO® homage captures her maritime heritage at 1:40 scale, resulting in a finely detailed 105 cm-long model completed in 2012.
  

Real Vessel Specifications

• Originally a wooden-hulled minesweeper made of Oregon pine
• Served as HMS J‑826 / BYMS‑2026 during WWII, launched in 1942
• Refitted in the early 1950s by Cousteau with observation chambers, mini-submarines, diving saucers, underwater scooters, and a helipad
• Became a symbol of marine exploration and oceanography
  

Model Features

• True to form: The 105 cm model captured the vessel’s unique superstructure, rounded stern, and working-deck layout
• Deck detail: Included lifeboats, radar dome, helipad, and miniature diving gear
• Exploration legacy: Built as a tribute to one of the most iconic research vessels ever to sail
  

Looking Back

• Though the model no longer exists physically, Calypso remains an important chapter in KONAJRA’s story—representing an early blend of historical reference, technical modelling, and visual storytelling in LEGO® bricks.
  

The Build

• Digitally designed and manually assembled in 2012, the Calypso model marked a key point in KONAJRA’s early ship modelling. It stood on display for about a year before being taken apart in 2013 to make way for new projects—but it laid the foundation for many future builds.
  

Commission Your Own Historical Ship Model

We create custom LEGO® maritime models—whether it's a warship, research vessel, or private yacht—designed with precision, narrative, and display impact.