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Post by vance on Aug 15, 2022 15:42:34 GMT -8
I recently pulled the trigger on a regulator some of you might know was being offered by TheScubaMuseum. It is a DAAM in nice shape, possibly rebuilt prior to going off ship. It has a history. I love a bit of a story, but I'm always skeptical of the offerings on eBay: "UDT Special Forces BUDS Navy Seals AquaMaster for sale $850". There is usually no provenance, and I'm not really that interested in the "hero UDT Navy Seal diver" bit. That is amazing, but I'm more interested in the grunts. The average USN diver was of the mainstays of the military, like this regulator was. Many Navy divers used this regulator to do the work that had to be done. Below is a link to the Windlass's history. She was a salvage ship built in the mid 40s, and her history was long. She and her crews made a difference. I'd love to hear from anyone who served on her!   military-history.fandom.com/wiki/USS_Windlass_(ARS(D)-4) |
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Post by nikeajax on Aug 15, 2022 16:08:13 GMT -8
PY, I couldn't agree with you more, this is the type of thing that excites me: I hate to use the word hero because it's become such a cheap and disposable term, but it's the types of people that used this reg, they are the ones that make it all happen. I'm looking forward to reading that link you attached!!!!!
JB
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Post by vance on Aug 15, 2022 16:36:00 GMT -8
It has been rebuilt and will probably be for sale, since I don't dive 2 stage USD regs. IMO, no stock 2 stage is as good as my NED (Sportways) HydroTwin II, although the USD RAM might approach its performance. But no HP port!
And it just isn't as kew.
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 15, 2022 17:22:51 GMT -8
Love seeing this! I was in the USN and have an interest as well. I also volunteer at a local Veteran's Museum and have been tossing around the idea of putting together a 60's era USN Diver Kit Display. I have the Aquamaster, but mine has the yellow hoses & mouthpiece, so that would be needed to be changed out, not a big deal.
Mark
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Post by tomcatpc on Aug 15, 2022 17:27:21 GMT -8
I'd love to see a USN Diver Kit topic get started, but I have zero knowledge and would not know how to start it. Just an idea.
Mark
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Post by vance on Aug 15, 2022 17:35:19 GMT -8
I was also in the Navy. My hitch ran from 1969-1975. I was a non-com Machinists Mate, and ran the ship's main engines, generators, evaporators, and etc. It was an uncertain time in history. I got out of it without trauma, in good health, and was able to use some of the benefits the VA granted me.
I am grateful that I didn't get dropped into a rice paddy with an M-16, wondering wth I was supposed to do! If I hadn't joined the Navy, it would have happened, most likely!
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Post by vance on Aug 28, 2022 14:30:27 GMT -8
I listed the Windlass regulator on eBay and it sold pretty quickly. Ironically, the person who bought it lives in Western Australia! I guess a regulator with an USN history is just as interesting to someone in Perth as it might be to someone in Perth Amboy...
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Post by snark3 on Aug 29, 2022 11:52:43 GMT -8
It has been rebuilt and will probably be for sale, since I don't dive 2 stage USD regs. IMO, no stock 2 stage is as good as my NED (Sportways) HydroTwin II, although the USD RAM might approach its performance. But no HP port! And it just isn't as kew. I'll agree with you here Phil. I love my NED Hydrotwin I and Hydrotwin II regs. They both breathe great. |
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Post by broxton coalition on Aug 29, 2022 13:31:00 GMT -8
Super cool USN history! i looked at the link Phil provided and that ship had quite an impressive work history in its short life. thanks for posting the pics of that aquamaster. like you said, the "grunts" history is every bit good history....  . BC |
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Post by vance on Aug 29, 2022 15:04:33 GMT -8
Your comment made me think of the sometimes short life of a warship. I am a plank owner of the Knox Class DE, USS Downes, DE1077. She started out as a Destroyer Escort and was later redesignated a frigate FF-1070.  I participated in her shakedown cruises in Puget Sound and the environs of the Pacific around 1970. The ship started out as an ASW (anti-submarine) ship, but she became a testbed for a new, experimental surface-to-air missile system called the SeaSparrow. It took many long months of sea trials to get it working correctly, and by the time it was ready for prime time, I was released from active duty. The USS Downes was sunk via SINKEX (target practice) near Mare Island, CA 2003. Her keel was laid in 1968, christened in 1969 (I was there), commissioned in 1971, and she served for only 32 years. Seems like yesterday.... |
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Post by vance on Aug 29, 2022 17:19:50 GMT -8
Looking at the photo, I'm reminded of climbing with buddies up onto the stack, mast, and rigging during heavy weather. We'd climb up as high as we dared and hold on! I remember huge waves breaking over us as we desperately clung to whatever there was to cling to. An amazing experience!
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