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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.
Kenrad
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 1:14 am
First Name: Marc
Location: Lafayette IN

DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:57 pm

Hello everyone, I'm not a vintage dive collector but I've always been fascinated with the old gear and diving and underwater in general. We'll I went to an estate sale this past weekend and this tank and regulator caught my eye and just seemed very cool to me. There's not a lot of info on this piece, even contacting the manufacturer they don't have much more to offer than what's on their website because they're records were discarded in the 60s. The few references I can find point to this being very scarce with someone saying maybe less than 50 were made, can anyone confirm this? Also I have been unable to locate any other pictures of the navy blue tank that I have, according to the sales flyers this is what was sold with the unit but mine has different straps and harness, does anyone else have a tank and is there's similar to mine, any other info would be great. I've been reading up on all things vintage scuba on this site, love it, very cool guys.

Marc
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Kenrad
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 1:14 am
First Name: Marc
Location: Lafayette IN

Re: DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:05 pm

Also maybe someone can help me figure out what cu ft / psi this tank is from this pic I noticed they offered different sizes. And does this glove and boot resemble anything that was used in diving or are these items junk.
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adairrj
Master Diver
Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:37 am
First Name: Adair
Location: Sao Paulo - Brazil
Contact: Website

Re: DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:55 pm

Some pictures:

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*******Adair*******
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adairrj
Master Diver
Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:37 am
First Name: Adair
Location: Sao Paulo - Brazil
Contact: Website

Re: DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 2:15 pm

PM sent!
*******Adair*******
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1969ivan1
Plank Owner
Posts: 1657
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:15 pm
First Name: rob
Location: CINCINNATI, OHIO

Re: DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:00 pm

That is a VERY rare regulator indeed. I have only seen a couple myself. Congrats on a very nice historic find.

crimediver
Master Diver
Posts: 412
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:38 am
Location: Richmond, Va

Re: DESCO Air Master

Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:22 pm

Nice score. You were lucky to pick up the tank and the reg. I have seen a regulator before but not the tank. It is an 1800 psi tank. Not sure of the volume but it may be in a catalog. Desco primarily made commercial diving gear. I had a Desco pot hat years ago but traded it.
The mitt and bootie are dive gear. The 3 fingered mitts were cumberson and used primarily in very cold water.

Kenrad
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 1:14 am
First Name: Marc
Location: Lafayette IN

Re: DESCO Air Master

Wed Feb 19, 2014 12:06 pm

Thanks for the information guys, this set has been SOLD to one of your forum collectors, I'll be on the lookout for more of this stuff.

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kgehring
Master Diver
Posts: 563
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:44 pm
Location: Indianapolis
Contact: Website

Re: DESCO Air Master

Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:06 pm

Congrats to the member who bought it at a great price!
http://www.scubamuseum.com
Over 400 vintage regulators in my collection

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1969ivan1
Plank Owner
Posts: 1657
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:15 pm
First Name: rob
Location: CINCINNATI, OHIO

Re: DESCO Air Master

Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:17 pm

I may need to sell mine now!

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