Here is a summary of some of the earlier topics of interest to get things started. . .
Q: On the first Cousteau system, what regulator was used under the breast plate and do you know how they got the air to it? Hp or Lp hose?
John
A: The reg was a Mistral. I do not know for sure at this point if it was fed by LP or HP. It was suggested to me that it was LP. I have just worked out a deal for one of those housings w/ tanks, and I am going to meet with the person who originally assembled the units. I will be making replica housings with molds made from the originals as part of the restoration process. They should be very cool. There were only 16-20 units ever made. I should have answers in the next couple of weeks. I am setting up meeting with several people in CA that were involved with the production of the Cousteau equipment. I should have a lot of new information in the near future. It looks like I will be doing a presentation at the Wazee get together. I should have a fairly large selection of original equipment for display. Stay tuned.
-Ryan
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Q: I'm not sure, I beleave there were several variations of diving cylinder packs specifially designed for the Cousteau dive team members through out Cousteaus life expeditions, This is a question for Mr rndboulder.
Ron
A: There were three versions of the Cousteau Housing. Ironically none of them were produced by US Divers. Both the UDS-1 and the ABS were developed by US Divers to capitalize on the Cousteau aesthetic. The first set developed for The Undersea World TV Series is best identified by its chest mounted regulator concealed by a breast plate. They were yellow and contained triple tanks made from the same alloy as the diving saucer. The second generation was developed by Technisub. It is called the RAID. See the link below. The RAID contained two 3000psi 72cf tanks. It had attachment for two regulators and a nice reserve mechanism. I just finished restoring one. The third was a set of four 5000psi tanks in a very slim housing. I am working on a museum for my website that will feature information and photos of all of the Cousteau tank systems as well as other Cousteau equipment from my collection and others. It will be a little bit but it is in the works.
vintagescuba.proboards2.com/index.cgi?board=buysell&action=display&n=1&thread=1395__________________
Q: Cousteau, High Pressure Tanks @ Mistrals:
A: I think that there are two key pieces of information to shed some light on the subject. First, the Cousteau Society used 300bar (4351.13213psi) tanks for many many years. The first tank packs developed for the Undersea World of JYC housed triple 300bar tanks(1966). These were used with both the Spiro Mistral and the Spiro Royal Mistral. This was confirmed by the person who assembled the packs. The tanks were actually custom made out of the same alloys used in the diving saucer. At least early as 1963 they were diving on 3000psi tanks.
Second, the 5000psi tanks cam about in 1984. They used these with Spiro Mistrals and Royal Mistrals unmodified. This was confirmed by a former chief diver for the Cousteau Society. He maintains that there were no maintenance issues as a result of the higher pressures. He also told me that they did also use US Divers regs periodically. I do not however have any verification of usage with specific tank configurations.
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It has just been announced that Cousteau's Calypso will be restored. It has been rotting in a harbor in France for many years after sinking in 1996. Carnival Corporation is picking up the tab. This ends a long and bitter struggle to save the ship. Here are two links:
www.independent.com.mt/daily/newsview.asp?id=29015www.smmlonline.com/reference/walkabouts/calypso/calypso.htmlIt seems that its not over until it's over. This article suggests that maybe the Calypso has not made it to the Bahamas yet? I think I would trust the first hand account over the media but I don't know?
www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=14706&name=Rescue+plan+for+Cousteau's+Calypso+hits+a+snag
The more people I talk to who worked with Cousteau and his various family members the weirder the story becomes. It is really a heartbreaking thing to talk to people who dedicated their lives to the Cousteau vision only to have the legacy destroyed by family feuding. One day the stories will come out. I know of at least one book that is a first hand account of life on the Calypso that is sitting on the shelves and will go unpublished for now. I hope it makes it to print one day. I do hope to eventually make the stories equipment and first hand accounts that I have collected available. I am waiting for a green light from Francine Cousteau who owns all the rights to the Cousteau name. I have begun written correspondence in hopes of reaching an arrangement. The groundwork has been done. We will see.
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I have collected a wonderful but small assortment of original Cousteau items: A red watch cap, expedition sweater with Calypso and Alcyone patches, 2 silver suits, a pair of custom made silver fins, and original mask used by the teams (Aqua-rama #5052 1966 US Divers Catalog) as well as a large collection of films and books, but nothing excites me more than the story and the context of these items. Without the history I simply look ridiculous standing around in a silver wetsuit that will turn yellow if I stay in the sun very long. Any one at Lake Wazee a few weeks ago will attest to that fact
As for Cousteau,. I am familiar with many of the negative sides to the man. I do not intend to defend, refute or justify his actions or his life. My goal is to focus on the equipment and the stories behind its use and development. There is a story there that goes beyond Cousteau and his personal life but yet it is not totally separate either. Marketing and self-promotion were never far removed from any aspect of the Cousteau story, but in the end it also enabled the story to be written.
When Cousteau was approached for the Undersea World of JYC it was for six episodes. Cousteau demanded twelve. Why? Because that would provide the funds he needed for the equipment that would define his image. This is where the early tank housings and helmets came from, which by most accounts the divers hated. But the aesthetic defined by those years would play into everything that was to follow. This is the story. This defines my book.
Stay tuned to
www.flashbackscuba.com for Cousteau information: photos, articles, film lists, reading lists, and other pertinant information comming soon:)
-Ryan
