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Post by vance on Aug 30, 2022 15:21:35 GMT -8
Here's your chance to sound off on the true vintage dive outfit. I'm not qualified, as I'm a double hose diver, not a vintage diver. I might use a MaeWest BCD sometimes, but my wetsuit, usual wing bcd and backplate, etc., disqualify me. My vintage gear consists of various steel 72 tanks including my first one, a Rene 1955; various double hose regulators with a vintage SPG, vintage compass, depth gauge, and usually a vintage safe second like my Voit Commanders. My JetFins (with new straps) are the ones I qualified with in the '70s, but I use a modern silicone mask. I like a white/clear silicone mask for slight claustrophobia issues. My first mask, which I used for decades, was a ScubaCat. I thought it looked cool, but I didn't realize how much more comfortable I could be until I got rid of that goggly thing. I will buy and use one of Ty's ovals when they are offered!
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 30, 2022 17:14:42 GMT -8
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Post by scubalawyer on Aug 30, 2022 17:43:15 GMT -8
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 30, 2022 23:59:16 GMT -8
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Post by Tusker on Aug 31, 2022 3:31:08 GMT -8
Mark, I don’t know if you’ve posted elsewhere about this, but I’d be curious to hear more about your BUSHIPS canteen watch. Jacob
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Post by scubalawyer on Aug 31, 2022 4:10:26 GMT -8
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Post by Tusker on Aug 31, 2022 6:31:58 GMT -8
Mark, thanks for the link. It does make a great prop with your Sea Hunt gear — a great kit by the way! I was curious as watches, particularly dive watches, are another interest of mine. I’ve used one since my first pool dives and have found it useful on occasion, although I know full well it’s more for my own enjoyment than any real practical measure. If anyone else dives with one I’d be curious to know what you use and how it ties into your vintage kit, although that may be a topic for another thread. Jacob
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2022 6:44:23 GMT -8
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2022 6:47:05 GMT -8
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2022 6:50:42 GMT -8
Once you get your steel 72 tank, here is one option. Alan makes great reproductions of the canvas webbing tank harness from the 50's and 60's. I don't have one yet (I have an original in good shape), but I have seen enough of them at vintage scuba events to know they are made great. He also makes vintage looking weights if you want to go into that detail. For me right now, "Sea Pearls" are just fine for now. Mark vintagescubastuff.com/products/
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Post by Aquala1 on Aug 31, 2022 7:20:40 GMT -8
Ok, here’s a few of my “Living History” bits of gear. First is my 1959 tank and reg combo. The reg is early ‘59 because it has a hooka port but doesn’t have a serial number on the ID plate. It’s correct with the yellow Tinnerman clamps, yellow neoprene hoses and yellow mouthpiece. Later in the year they used the plastic clips and toward the end of the year they switched to a black mouthpiece in preparation for the 1960 product line.The J-valve is dated ‘59, as well as the original hydro for the tank. The blue bands, harness and pull rod are all ‘59 as they only did the blue bands for that year. Next is an original weight belt with weights and a Vulcan knife. The Taylor depth gauge works and is also correct for the period. Last are the new repro rubber parts. I don’t mind diving original everything else, but I get too concerned that the vintage rubber masks and fins (though maybe in good condition) will eventually rip tear or crack. So, the fins are Churchills that they reissued in 1950s green a few years ago. The mask is sort of an “Equirama” and is made in France just like a lot of the early USD masks. Here’s all of it together. Oh and the watch is a Rolex Submariner 14060M from 2005. Rolex basically hasn’t changed the Sub since its inception in 1954, so this works for an actual dive. I was a dive watch collector/nerd before I jumped down the rabbit hole of vintage scuba gear.😄
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2022 7:41:54 GMT -8
I need to get a new pair of Churchills sooner or later... I went through two pairs during my years in So Cal. Mark
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Post by Aquala1 on Aug 31, 2022 8:01:48 GMT -8
I need to get a new pair of Churchills sooner or later... I went through two pairs during my years in So Cal. Mark Churchill did them in black, like the WWII UDT fins and then this 1950s green. You can still find them on eBay on occasion.
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Post by SeaRat on Aug 31, 2022 8:06:34 GMT -8
Here I am diving in Yaquina Bay in the 1970s, geared up with my Aquala dry suit and a CO2 vest. Donning Aquala Dry Suit005 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here, I'm getting gear up, and have just donned the Aquala dry suit. Note that I have modified it with a LP inflator. Donning Aquala Dry Suit004 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Before waterproof zippers. Note I had brown hair on top at that point. Donning Aquala Dry Suit003 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Below I'm geared up and diving in Puget Sound in about 1964. I dove with the Salem Aqua Club, and our offshoot, the Salem Junior Aqua Club. HoodCanal by John Ratliff, on Flickr Note that I'm diving sans BCD (yet to be invented), with a wet suit and weight belt. Here is my Seiko dive watch, underwater. I have been diving Seiko dive watches for decades, and have two besides this one. IMG_2803 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here is our USAF Pararescue Team, gearing up for a dive in Yaquina Bay, 1973 (I think). 304th ARRSq historical002 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Below I'm diving with the Aqueon in Lake Chilan, Washington in 1972. Note no vest or BCD (not invented yet). JCR & Aqueon by John Ratliff, on Flickr Below, diving in Clear Lake, Oregon with my Aquala Dry Suit, probably about 1974. IMG_0054 by John Ratliff, on Flickr John
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 31, 2022 9:13:53 GMT -8
What make, model and year is the red car in the photo? As for learning to dive without a BC...I thought it was the most liberating feeling I have had underwater so far. It is not as difficult as it sounded at first, just a bit of trial and error with my weight. Having said that, I do wear a horse collar BC from the 70's or 80's when I dive Lake Erie. I have not yet needed to use it, but it is there in case I need to float for some dumb reason where a dive has gone bad...
As for the drysuit...at this point I'm a dedicated wetsuit Diver. Most of the time when the water get warm around hear in July till Sept., I wear a late 60's-early 70's Brand-X (guessing Parkway?) "Shark Skin" wetsuit jacket and shorts. With 8 pounds on my belt and a steel 72 my weight is right on for 40 foot and above. If I am going deeper, then the horse collar gets thrown into the mix.
I might get a drysuit in the future? I hear the "modern" Divers talking about every little leak and how the cuffs, zippers etc were replaced and still leak, etc. I just dive in warmer water or fire up my two piece 7mm and deal with colder water.
If I do get a drysuit it would most likely be a Aquala.
Mark
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