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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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Britmarine
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Mon Aug 24, 2015 1:42 am

On the Skin Diving History website there are eighteen vintage ads for Northill at http://www.skindivinghistory.com/mfg_re ... index.html
For example the following, featuring Zale Parry,
Image

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Bryan
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:13 am

Very nice!
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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Goodlifedivers
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:09 pm

So what did these things breath like?

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georgeaustin
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Sep 02, 2015 4:11 pm

AiResearch made among other things, turbochargers. We had one on our 1965 Ford Mustang Diesel

subpilotjon
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:02 pm

Garrett-Northill regs were originally constructed for the US Navy in 1954, most likely because their robust non-magnetic construction was believed to be able to stand up to the rigors of mil-spec uses. The following year the lungs were offered to the general public. Regs with serial numbers beginning with a "4" signified 1954 and each successive year was stamped accordingly. They were unique in that they borrowed a design feature from Healthways Divaire double hose rigs in that they offered a reserve valve feature built into the regulator providing a safety margin if used on basic post tank valves without a reserve option like those found on R or J valve systems.
Garrett-Northill regs were and are not the smoothest breathing rigs and were soon dropped by the US navy, replaced by other Non-magnetic can types manufactured by US Divers.. I own about 75 double hose regs, two of which are G-N air-lungs serial numbers 5 P1124 and 5 P1089 ..The designation "P" might signify "Public" since the 1955 dating was when they went public? I don't know for sure, but it seems like it would makes sense. the higher number reg is all original, hoses, Garrett Northil embossed Hope-Page mouthpiece along with tank, stenciled harness and brackets, tank valve, and original tank decal..the lower number reg has been mated with an early grey Voit mouthpiece and is how it came to me..if anyone has a Northill mouthpiece they wanna let go of, let me know..thanks, Jon

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Bryan
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 7:36 am

^^^^Great Post, Thanks for sharing the info.
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

subpilotjon
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:32 pm

Ive been a very fortunate person throughout my oceanographic career, having worked over the years with Dr. Andy Rechnitzer, Astronaut/Aquanaut Scott Carpenter, US Naval Commander/Aquanaut Bob Barth, Dr George F Bass, Cap Perkins, Billy and Bobby Meistrell, Ian Koblick and my dear friend Miss Zale P. each of these wonderful and inspiring people have been friends and mentors.. each teaching me much about the first generation of scuba pioneers.. I strive to carry the torch for them, especially those who have passed on in just the last decade or so..we lost a treasure trove of knowledge when these special explorers passed on...

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Bryan
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:52 pm

The forum and website can always use information and resources like you are sharing with us now and I hope you can share more when you have time in the future.
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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8dust
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:11 pm

Jon, welcome aboard!

Sounds like you travel in some of the same circles as one of our other members, Bernie Campoli. He goes by the moniker Popeye here. If you haven't already crossed paths, I'm sure yall would enjoy trading some stories. :D

Fred
Freddo
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subpilotjon
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:08 pm

Thank you Fred...nice to meet ya..albeit cyberspace.. Im not certain. but if memory serves me I think most quality dive stories start out something like...
"Hey, you're never gonna believe this!!"...
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subpilotjon
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:34 pm

each year I exhibit some of my collection of vintage gear for our annual Avalon harbor cleanup dive..usually just over 500 divers attend what is now in its 35th year..I bring out some fun old gear for folks, especially newer divers so they can learn a little about what and who made it possible for them to be out there enjoying subsurface excursions.. the solid bronze hat weighs 70 lbs and is circa 1916 ...movie prop for the original silent film version of 20,000 Leagues under the sea...there's a super rare Capt Max W. Taylor mask 1948.. with its kidney bean shaped breather bags...I had to search long and hard to find out the info on it, at first thinking it might have been a naval sub bailout rescue mask ..similar to a Momson Lung...but it wasactually designed as a freediver extra breath mask...I've used it..and know why it never went into full scale production.. of course all the standard stuff like DESCO Jack Brownes, both rebreather and second stage regulator versions, Victor Berge rebreatrher and umbilical supplied versions, Scott Hydropak, one of Lloyd Bridges Voit B4's and one of Sea Net manufacturing's original prototype version sea-dive masks..with inner tube strap and hose clamp lens seal.. that mask is circa late 30's and one of the very first commercially manufactured dive masks in the world..everything prior to that was goggles..as in Guy Gilpatric's 1938 spearfishing bible "the Compleat Goggler"...and yes, the book title is spelled "Compleat"
The long regarded timeline for Sea net Manufacturing making masks was thought to be mid 40's..however I located two publications..one a 1944 boys life magazine, and the other a 1940 Abercrombie and Fitch sales catalog each with advertisements for seadive masks made by sea net manufacturing in Socal... I figure they started making masks as early as the late 30's and ran for a few years and suddenly a big war popped up..and things shut down until the mid 40's when most folks like Nick Icorn thought they started biz...
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Bryan
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:56 pm

Anytime you would like to elaborate on the specifics of the gear you gave us a few highlights of please just start a new thread for each of them as I know there are many here who would enjoy knowing more and seeing pictures if you have them. Great Stuff!
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB

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ScubaLawyer
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:22 am

Hello and welcome Subpilotjon!

I'm just across the Channel from you in Laguna Beach. Love Avalon. Spent many happy days there ever since my parents brought me over on the Great White Steamer (SS Catalina) back in the day. Stayed with and dove with the late Jon Hardy a few times in the late 70s early 80s. We did a few salvage dives off the Mole. Was there the night the Su Jac sank. Brought dive groups over to Casino Point for many years. All good memories. Love to see your collection of regs and gear some day. I look forward to hearing more stories and info from you. Mark.
"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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8dust
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Thu Oct 27, 2016 11:30 am

Wow, you do have some stuff there :shock:

I'd love to walk up out of the water wearing that helmet... or bump into an Open Water class at the quarry... :o :lol:

I guess we have sorta hijacked the OP at this point, and I can see this continuing for a while...

Bryan - how about cutting what's above starting at "Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:32 am" and pasting it into a new thread somewhere?
Freddo
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Bronze06
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Re: NorthHill Air Lung

Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:48 am

:shock: WOW!!! :shock: Thanks for sharing Jon!
"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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