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Discussion of diving methods and equipment available prior to the development of BCDs beyond the horse collar. This forum is dedicated to the pre-1970 diving.
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Vancetp
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:04 pm

Here's some of my Soviet/Eastern European regs.

This is a Soviet AVM-3, which is a second stage regulator. It's supposed to be a part of a package which includes two tanks, a remote first stage, piping, SPG, etc. I have it cobbled up with all kinds of adapters to test it. I thought a qc would be the way to go, but it is too long. However, it appears to be a great candidate for chest mounting:

ImageIMG_3069 by Vancetp, on Flickr

ImageIMG_2964 by Vancetp, on Flickr

Here's the system (which I do not have!):

Images-l1600 (3) by Vancetp, on Flickr

This is an AVM-1M, which is a two stage regulator. According to the Soviet Manual of Scuba Diving, the AVM-3 was an improved version of the AVM-1M because it provided a point for surface air to be pumped to the diver:

ImageAVM-1M3 by Vancetp, on Flickr

ImageAVM-1M6 by Vancetp, on Flickr

The Soviet hoseloops sometimes did not utilize non-return valves, so I found a set of WWs from a Sportsways mouthpiece that fit well:

ImageIMG_3039 by Vancetp, on Flickr

And this is a Polish Kaiman single stage regulator. This one came with non-return valves. The hoses, mouthpiece and duckbill are retained by fine mono-filament:

ImageIMG_3240 by Vancetp, on Flickr

ImageIMG_3247 by Vancetp, on Flickr

ImageIMG_3245 by Vancetp, on Flickr

ImageIMG_3238 by Vancetp, on Flickr

The Soviet regs are kind of crude, but are pretty good breathers. Odd that they used squid for duckbills! :)
swimjim
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:23 pm

I own a Kaiman and I have to say, it's a really nice reg. It's missing it's label though. If your label is still off, could you make a copy and send it to me? Maybe I could make something for display purposes. Thanks!
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ScubaLawyer
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:32 pm

Komrad Vance,
"The diver who collects specimens of underwater life has fun and becomes a keen underwater observer. .. seek slow-moving or attached organisms such as corals, starfish, or shelled creatures." (Golden Guide to Scuba Diving, 1968) :D
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Vancetp
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:33 pm

swimjim wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:23 pm
 I own a Kaiman and I have to say, it's a really nice reg. It's missing it's label though. If your label is still off, could you make a copy and send it to me? Maybe I could make something for display purposes. Thanks!
Email sent, Jim!
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:40 am

I always wanted a "Kaiman" to wit; Cayman regulator. Are they basically a "Mistral" and can you use any of the diaphragms or seats we have available to keep them in diving trim?
"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:22 pm

Here are some of the toys I use over here.
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"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:27 pm

And some more. And this constitutes about 30% of the sub-surface fleet.
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"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:31 pm

Obsess much? :shock:
"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
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ScubaLawyer
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:46 pm

Very cool Russ !
"The diver who collects specimens of underwater life has fun and becomes a keen underwater observer. .. seek slow-moving or attached organisms such as corals, starfish, or shelled creatures." (Golden Guide to Scuba Diving, 1968) :D
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:28 am

FINALLY! Finished up my 1963 C-2 Dacor "Clipper" with all orignal nice shape hoses, tinnermans and new hp diaphragm from Rob at the Scuba Museum. Definitely a little more involved rebuilding than either US Divers or Voit. Works and breaths great, especially with the patent "Dial A Breath" feature available ONLY from DACOR! :D :D :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :mrgreen:
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"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
swimjim
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Mon Mar 25, 2019 5:34 pm

I picked up one of those last fall. On the bench it seems to be a good breather. I've had a C-3 for years and that breathes as well as a stock DA Aquamaster. I'm curious to see how the C-2 performs underwater. It won't be long now!
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Mon May 06, 2019 4:39 am

A couple of pics from this weekend. Not pure vintage (wetsuit and the Kraken "Hunter" pic.) but great diving. Water was 75 degrees. A little chilly for here....lol. Using the 1961 Voit "50 Fathom".
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"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
h2operations
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Mon May 06, 2019 10:33 pm

Very Nice Collection! If you had ( God Forbid) to get rid of all but one, which one would you keep? Just curious.
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Bronze06
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Tue May 07, 2019 4:01 am

h2operations wrote: ↑
Mon May 06, 2019 10:33 pm
 Very Nice Collection! If you had ( God Forbid) to get rid of all but one, which one would you keep? Just curious.
REALLY???? Vintage or modern....lol! I would keep the Kraken.
"Where'd ya get that ol' thang, don't cha' know them thare things ill kill ya!"

Live From the Red Sea,

Russ
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Vancetp
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Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Tue May 07, 2019 5:03 pm

Bronze06 wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:40 am
 I always wanted a "Kaiman" to wit; Cayman regulator. Are they basically a "Mistral" and can you use any of the diaphragms or seats we have available to keep them in diving trim?
I just saw your posts about this, so sorry for the long wait and a totally inadequate answer Russ!

I don't know if any other diaphragms will fit the Kaiman. I just dove mine in the pool and it breathed very well, but became wet. I'm not sure where the water was getting in, but suspect the mouthpiece joints (like a Hope-Page). When I take it apart, I will check to see what's what on the diaphragm.

The resemblance to a Mistral valve is superficial, and innards are by no means interchangeable. https://www.vsc-ds.cz/sbirka/dvouhadico ... ory/kaiman
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