Page 20 of 21

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:04 pm
by Vancetp
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! :)

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:23 pm
by swimjim
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!

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:32 pm
by ScubaLawyer
Komrad Vance,

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:33 pm
by Vancetp
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!

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 5:40 am
by Bronze06
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?

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:22 pm
by Bronze06
Here are some of the toys I use over here.

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:27 pm
by Bronze06
And some more. And this constitutes about 30% of the sub-surface fleet.

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:31 pm
by Bronze06
Obsess much? :shock:

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:46 pm
by ScubaLawyer
Very cool Russ !

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:28 am
by Bronze06
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:

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 5:34 pm
by swimjim
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!

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 4:39 am
by Bronze06
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".

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 10:33 pm
by h2operations
Very Nice Collection! If you had ( God Forbid) to get rid of all but one, which one would you keep? Just curious.

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 4:01 am
by Bronze06
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.

Re: Vintage Equipment Photo Section

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 5:03 pm
by Vancetp
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