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Post by Les M on Mar 17, 2005 19:59:54 GMT -8
Have just been given a Normalair full face mask with
attached snorkle.I believe this unit was manufactured in Yeovil England in the late 50's. Does anyone have any info on this rig? Any help would be much appreciated.
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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 Mar 17, 2005 23:59:20 GMT -8
NormalAir had one of the more interesting scuba rigs. They also made fireman scba units. Their tanks were usually inverted singles, like the scba. They had a harness made a bit like a parachute harness. It was a large disc on the chest which held one fixed shoulder strap and the other four straps clicked into place. There was a pouch which mounted on this disc that held lead. The lead looked like flat coffee saucers and several were carried in the canvas pouch. Pull up on one lever and the lead fell off, pull the other lever and the harness came apart. It was a good harness arrangement inpractice as the lead worked like a boat's keel under the diver. It also balanced the tank by pulling down on the front, when the diver was standing on the surface. The rigs looked a bit like the Desco rig. They used a 38 cuft tank with a DIN like valve, where the reduction valve attached. The tanks were grey with black and white quarters at the valve. That was the Commonwealth's early designation for air. (Later yellow was adopted if the air was for underwater use.) They were sold in England and Australia, but I think most were in Canada. There is one tank, with valve, on display at Associated Divers, Centre Rd., Clayton, Victoria, Australia (Melbourne). It's in the front window. Shane, a former Australian clearance diver, and owner might sell it to you. It is in good condition. I don't think he has any other NormalAir items as I've snooped around his shed out back. I saw it about a week ago. Check his website for an email address.
Steve
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Post by Les M on Mar 18, 2005 17:42:59 GMT -8
Many thanks for the info! I believe one of your local dive icons ,Des Williams has one of these rigs and has dived with it. Have been trying to locate Des on the web without much success.
My problem is that , what would be the first stage on my unit is more of a Y adapter . One hose goes to the second stage and the other to a 3500psi pressure gauge.There is no visable pressure reducing function in this unit. I am thinking that maybe this unit has been adapted for Surface supply systems.What I would like to find out is what is the intermediate pressure required for this second stage.
As I normally dive Apex and Poseidon rigs with intemediate pressures in the 140 to 160 psi range would like to try one of these first stages .
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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 Mar 19, 2005 16:18:55 GMT -8
Des lives close to me but when I changed email addresses I lost his address and email info. Contact Kent Rockwell at KRSeaHunt.AOL.Com. He can put you in touch
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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 Mar 20, 2005 0:59:08 GMT -8
Des Williams is at: deswill@dingley.net
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Post by Les M on Mar 20, 2005 5:48:08 GMT -8
Many thanks for the address!
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Post by pnuytten on Apr 4, 2005 20:34:33 GMT -8
Les M.
The Normalair had no reducer (ist stage) The HP air went directly to the upstream tilt valve in the demand housing. The over-large diaphragm and a long tilt lever combined to give sufficient leverage to open the valve - ala 'Mistral'. This set-up worked fine in relatively shallow water - but tended to freeze because of the small orifice/huge pressure drop in deep water. At 150'+ in 45 degree water, you would often get a shower of ice-paricles with each breath. Very comfortable rig, though, with the fluid inflated face-seal. Remember not to use plain water if you fill the face seal with your mouth.(as most did) Use 50/50 vodka/water - otherwise the bacteria growth is something to behold when you dump the contents at the end of the season. Yukk.
PN
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Vintage diver jerry Lang
Guest
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Post by Vintage diver jerry Lang on Apr 5, 2005 21:22:43 GMT -8
Hi,
I have the professionaly copied and bond the Normalair manual.This is 53 pages and has complete parts breakdowns,maintenance and use.
Date March 1961
Plus full size ads from various sources!
For sale or trade?
Hi Doctor Phil N. do you need one?
seahuntjerry@yahoo.com
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Post by Les M on Apr 24, 2005 6:27:23 GMT -8
Gentlemen,
Many thanks for all the great information it has helped immensely.
Des Williams from Melbourne was kind enough to mail photocopies of the
Original manuals. As I only have the facemask and regulator hose assembly,
Was fascinated by detailed drawings of this system.
As soon as the Water warms up a little will take the mask for a spin.
Les.
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