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Post by vintagediver on Oct 29, 2008 12:03:48 GMT -8
Does anybody have a list of all Heinke regs? I think there were 6 but I can't find a definitive list! even better does anybody have pictures or description of them? even better how about manuals?
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Post by Terry on Oct 29, 2008 14:28:50 GMT -8
Hi Vintagediver. Just thought I'd give you a "Heads Up" on using the name "Vintagediver" so you don't get lost in the crowd. I use the name vintagediver and have had that name for the last several years. I go by that name on The VDH website; but just go by my name Terry on this website. My point is that Vintagediver and Terry are known as one and the same, and if you use the name vintagediver you're most likely going to be mistaken for me. This same situation happened a few years ago with Franz Carlson who is from Minnesota; so to keep his own identity he goes by VintagediverMn. You might want to consider doing something like this with your identity so you don't get mixed up with either of us. Welcome aboard! ;D Terry
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YankDownUnder
Pro Diver
Broxton 'green label' Aqua Lung and 1954 USD Rene triple 44s.
Posts: 162
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Post by YankDownUnder on Oct 29, 2008 20:02:25 GMT -8
Heinke was the first company to copy the Cousteau-Gagnan patent. Heinke got around the patent by making a regulator refered to as the 'Heinke Horn', (MkI). It was blue with green hoses. The front 'box' had horns extending out, with valves towards the ends. Bull nose and French yokes were available.
They went to the MkIII and IV by by locating the exhaust valve inside the exhaust hose near the regulator. Heinke had changed to a black wrinkle finish with chrome underneath. The front box was black high impact rubber with Venturi Jet embossed on it. For that reason, it is often mistakenly called the Venturi Jet, but MkIV is the correct term. They only had French yokes at this point. The MkIII and IV differed, in that the IV had a by-pass valve for clearing the system. It had a pull toggle on a cord to actuate. Both had external reduction diaphragms and a venturi jet over an upstream tilt valve.
Heinke finally made the Merlin which was also known as the MKV and VI. It had a piston first stage and built in reserve as an option. It was also capable of being used as a hookah, but a different LP cap had to be used.
The two stage regulators were made of cast marine bronze, because Heinke had been a standard dress helmet company since 1820 and they were accustomed to casting their parts. In 1962 Heinke merged with Siebe Gorman and became Heinke-Siebe. Siebe dated back to 1832. The Merlin then appered with parts from both companies. Finally, Siebe dropped the Heinke name and even destroyed the records of Heinke. In the 1963 'blue' catalogue the Siebe-Heinke label appeared for the last time.
Siebe had made the Mistral under licence from La Spirotechnique. The single stage regulator was the Eesgee, a play on initials 'S-G' for Siebe Gorman. There were several label variations and some minor changes. It was a heavy stamped brass regulator with unique curved hose horns that had screw-on connectors.
Siebe Gorman made a single hose regulator too. At some point they bought Submarine Products and thier pressure gauges often appear on Siebe products. Siebe Gorman still exists, but now they only make fire fighting gear. Their sole underwater apparatus now, is a bit like a Spare Air, sold for helicopter escape.
PM me with an email address and I will send some pictures should you wish. I can also provide a Merlin service manual.
I hope this helps.
Steve
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Post by vintagediver on Oct 30, 2008 12:38:14 GMT -8
Thanks for the info, thats very useful! Do you now if there was a mk !!? And do you know the difference between the mkV and VI merlin?
Many thanks
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Oct 31, 2008 0:54:43 GMT -8
>In the 1963 'blue' catalogue the Siebe-Heinke label appeared for the last time<
Sorry to hijack the thread, but does that catalogue list the Siebe-Heinke Dip Suit? I've been compiling a series of monographs on historical diving suits and the only information I've managed to find about the suit comes from the 1962 and 1964 editions of the diving equipment catalogue of the London sporting goods store Lillywhites. I'd be grateful for any additional information or images to help with my research.
Interesting what you've written about Submarine Products, which used to trade in Acomb, a village near Hexham, about twenty miles away from where I live in the North East of England. In the 1960s, the company imported Beuchat diving gear from France, including Jet Fins, and So Lo Marx Skooba Totes drysuits from the United States. I have one of their catalogues from back then.
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YankDownUnder
Pro Diver
Broxton 'green label' Aqua Lung and 1954 USD Rene triple 44s.
Posts: 162
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Post by YankDownUnder on Nov 4, 2008 22:55:07 GMT -8
Vintage diver, check your PMs
David,
The 1963 Siebe Heinke 'blue' catalogue has excellent pictures of two diving suits. One is the Frogman suit and the other is the Dip Suit. The Frogman comes in black and fawn. The Dip has a beautiful woman modeling it. There are pictures of the accessories as well. The size charts and description explain the suit on a seperate page. It was available in black and yellow. I have the catalogue on PDF. PM me and I will provide an email address for more information. Steve
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Nov 4, 2008 23:24:51 GMT -8
Brilliant! I've just PM'ed you!
David
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tenaxh
Regular Diver
Posts: 14
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Post by tenaxh on Nov 5, 2008 8:27:03 GMT -8
Oh yeah vintagediver ... Sending PM too.
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YankDownUnder
Pro Diver
Broxton 'green label' Aqua Lung and 1954 USD Rene triple 44s.
Posts: 162
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Post by YankDownUnder on Nov 5, 2008 21:15:37 GMT -8
I wish I could answer your question about the differences between the MkV and MkVI Merlin. I remember when they came out to Australia. I had a MkIII. The MkIV was identical to the MkIII except that it had a by-pass lever on it. It looked like a reserve with a cotton cord and toggle. Pulling it flushed the system.
As I mentioned, in 1962 the companies merged to form Siebe-Heinke. The 1959 catalogue has the Essgee and the twin 26 Siebe. The latter was a strange twin hose where a reduction valve was fitted at the manifold with inverted tanks. The demand valve was at the top, where the cylinder bases were. The stages were seperated like the modern single hose. The unit did not have a name, but was just called the "Siebe Gorman Self-Contained Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus".
I was under the impression that the Merlin followed suit like the MKIV. The MkV was the basic one. The MkVI regulator could be fitted with a by-pass or a reserve. It would also accept a hookah.
The Merlin first appeared as a Heinke and then the name on the regulator changed when the merge of the two companies occurred. I still dive a Heinke MkIII and have never found a better breathing regulator. I also dive a Merlin which is much the same. Steve
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Post by rubberdiver13 on Jan 29, 2015 5:50:03 GMT -8
does the mk 5 merlin leak,if the toggles missing?,and where can i get a toggle from,if it does, i have air coming from the clamp area?, seals good,breathes ok, pressure to pressure valve ok
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Post by regulator68bj on Jan 29, 2015 10:37:04 GMT -8
Hi rubberdiver13, If you email me litremeter@talktalk.net will try to solve the leaking problem not sure what you mean by a "toggle" on these units. These regulators were designed to have a lower working pressure (WP 165BAR MAX) than the valves of the 21st century.
john
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Post by rubberdiver13 on Jan 29, 2015 10:56:23 GMT -8
sent pm to you,thanks for quick reply
The MkIII and IV differed, in that the IV had a by-pass valve for clearing the system. It had a pull toggle on a cord to actuate
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