Interesting Backpack Find

[simonbeans]

A visit last week to a vintage diver provided a couple of us the view of some interesting dive gear. To me one of the more intriguing finds was a 1960 Healthways Scubapac designed by Dick Anderson. Designated item 1600 Scubapac, this particular model was available in only 1960 (as per catalog research). What makes this model unusual to the Healthways aluminum plate that we are most familiar is that there is no "H" on the plate and the left cotton shoulder strap used a wire quick release as compared to the snaps of later years.
This example was in excellent condition. I can possibly see a nice repro in the works.

[sitkadiver]

Looks very interesting. Were you able to try it on? I've been using a standard wgt belt bucjkle for years with very good results.(just too high for a DH though)



I'm wondering if the flex of the material around the shoulder would create a snag or 1/2 open latch.... Please let us know how it turns out. You could start a whole 'new' vintage trend that would make doffing a lot easier for some people.

[simonbeans]

As per the 1960 Catalog:



As per the A & D Adventures, LLC development division:

[SurfLung]

- I never thought of using the wire quick release on a tank harness... I like the way it connects the crotch strap and the belt into one quick release.

[21]

That basic back pack configuration has an interesting genealogy.

The first one I ever saw was back in the straps and band days. The late great Charlie Sturgil's home was the center of diving in So Cal. Charlie began his diving career in 1929 by "feeing for Abalone". In the early 1940s he saw a Japanese dive mask, which didn't fit his face or any western face, so being a master tool and die maker he made his own dive mask which he graciously made for a few special friends (see www.portagequarry.com Legends of diving "The mask")

Charlie's garage was the meeting place for all divers. Charlie could and would make about any thing for you for a few dollars. Some of my most prized dive possessions are the points and game bags and spear gun he made for me.

I was picking up something from Charlie, probably a point or two. Charlie was busy in his garage bending and shaping a piece of SS. "What the heck are you making now?" I curiously asked. "Gary and Rocky wants to get rid of all the straps and bands so I am making them a device that will hold their tanks and they can change tanks easy on their boat."

This "Device" was very similar to the one Dick Anderson "designed" and Healthways marketed. The over center quick release was also one of Charlie's designs and products. It came from the WW 11 USN life preserver quick release which was marketed in SoCal by Garry Huth a war surplus dive shop owner. Charlie duplicated them in heavy duty SS rods for both 1 and 2 inch webbing. I still have a few after all these good years.

Gary and Rocky came back for mod 1 mark 1 on the device, This time Charlie bent the edges and installed straps with his quick releases. This design was immediately copied and marketed by Sportsways (established by Healthways) as part number 1203 Tank-Pack- Look it up!

Please bear in mind that Healthyways had a somewhat less than a golden reputation with the SoCal tribe. Very few reputable SoCal shops would carry their equipment for a number of reasons, which is why there is so much Heathway's equipment in the hinter lands of the US and very little in SoCal.

Gary & Rocky? Perhaps you have heard of them, Mr.& Mrs. Gary Cooper, the Hollywood movie star. To the tribe they were Gary and Rocky, just two other lousy SoCal divers who were members of the tribe.

I fear I have rambled --but now you know at least part of the rest of the story

SDM