The Scuba Museum is very please and excited to have in the collection a very rare Argonaut Prototype regulator from Vintage Double Hose.  The Argonaut has now been with us for over a year now and it has dived depths deeper than 155 feet.  Below are some updated photographs of the 3D printed cans in black with a preproduction label.  Also note the prototype heavy yoke with unique yoke screw.  This regulator breathes as well as it looks.  This Argo has also been dived in the Chac Mool Cenotes of Mexico as of 2013.  Needless to say it turned many heads at the Mayan dive site.

The Voit POLARIS was the Voit version of the US DIVERS MISTRAL basically.  It is a fine breather on low pressure tanks and is nearly bullet proof.  This particular regulator is in very nice shape and is unaltered by me except for the replacement of the brown perished hoses, mouthpiece, and diaphragm with silicone reproductions.  These Voit regs look so much nicer with the correct Gray hoses in my opinion.

This VOIT lung is the over pressure version.  It came to me with perished hoses and mouthpiece.  I have since replaced them with new reproduction silicone.  I also did not use the tinnerman clamps as they are not conducive to diving in salt water, removal for inspection and cleaning, or hose durability.  I dive almost all of my regulators so the tinnerman clamp must go.  This regulator was rebuilt by Bryan of www.vintagedoublehose.com and it breathes like a champ.  I used this regulator on many dives in Silver Springs during the 50th anniversary  of SEA HUNT.  With these green hoses and mouthpiece it really stands out.

The Voit VR2 Mariner was originally known as the Two Stage Navy Approved Unit.  It was made from 1956 to 1958.  It is internally identical to first US Diver Aqua lung (aka Broxtons).

This blue label Voit Lung is one of the most rare of the Voits.  I have found no evidence that it was ever cataloged and the numbers made is unknown.  The internals of this regulator are identical to the US Divers Mistral.  This one is one of the best examples I have ever seen.  The satin chrome on the can normally did not fair well on these early Voit regulators, but this one cleaned up rather well.  I was so excited to dive this beauty that I took it straight to the quarry once rebuilt and dived it with my sheet rubber Hydroglove and USD triples.  The 40 degree water seemed warmer with a blue label voit Lung.

This VCR-5 was cataloged in both 1959 and 1960.  The 1961 version was chromed instead of painted blue.  This is an almost perfect example of a 50 FATHOM with nearly all of it’s original paint!  How this example has lasted in the shape that it has is not known.  I would guess that it was not dived very much when it was new.  I now treat it with kid’s gloves.  I have another “diver” now that I had repainted/restored so this one can stay safely on display.  Again the GRAY silicone hoses really set off the paint job on this regulator.  This regulator originally arrived from the factory with chromed tinnermanns instead of the nylon clamps seen here.  This regulator housed a downstream Gagnan valve mechanism.  Mike Nelson would surely have approved.

This 50 Fathom Chrome VCR2 came to me in very rough shape.  I had is re-chromed and it is now better than new complete with new silicone hoses and mouthpiece.  This particular Voit regulator is a little more rare than the blue painted version as it was only available in 1961 whereas the painted one was available 1959 and 1960.  This regulator also contained the Gagnan downstream valve mechanism.  This regulator also came from the factory with nylon hose clamps as opposed to the chrome tinnermans that came on the blue painted 50 Fathom.

The Trieste was the last of the Voit double hose regulators.  It was probably the only design that Voit made that was not all or in part designed or made by US Divers.  It is a very elegant design, but looses some mechanical advantage by using a small diaphragm.  This regulator also had the advantage of several ports for submersible pressure gauge, octopus, and auto inflator.  This regulator was prized by many and considered by many the best breather that Voit made.

The Trieste J had a built in reserve mechanism.  Many divers liked this option so they did not have to have J valve tank vales on their tanks as the were more prone to leak.  The Trieste is described by some divers as the the best that Voit ever made.  I think this is greatly inaccurate.  While it is an elegant regulator and very unique I do not find it comparable to a US Divers Royal or Mistral.  I think that the small diaphragm casues a mechanical disadvantage as compared to other vintage double hose regulators.  I have dived many Triestes and do like them however.  One very nice feature of the Trieste regulators is the low and high pressure ports.

The Voit Navy was simply a relabeled Us Divers Da Aquamaster.  It is one of the most common Voit regulators you will find today and this particular model has several aftermarket features.  I have replaced the hoses and label with reproductions.  The mouthpiece is of course a silicone reproduction.  The front cover has been rechromed making photography a challenge to say the least.  I have also installed a long yoke to facilitate the use of  banjo fitting with pressure gauge.  The nozzle was replaced with a Royal Aquamaster nozzle as well.  The Navy was made in France and came with 2 different label colours and 2 different chrome combinations.

The Jet Air came in at least 3 versions.  One was a Brown Cycolac with raised letters on the top can.  Another was a black one with raised letters painted yellow.  The third is pictured here was also black plastic HIP with a decal label.  Many today have very little decal left and this model was not exception.  A reproduction label was obtained for a very nice price from www.vintagedoublehose.com.  This regulator was also outfitted with a long yoke allowing me to use a banjo fitting with pressure gauge in case I want to know my contents.  I dive this regulator very often and with the yellow silicone reproduction hoses and silicone mouthpiece I get a lot of attention from curious divers.  The Jet Air was basically a Mistral with a cheaply made can.  I imagine that divers only bought it when they could not afford the brass cased Mistral or Polaris.  Today the Jet Air is somewhat collectible as is the much rarer Voit 50 Fathom Blue plastic case.

The first Jet Air circa 1956 was made of a brown plastic compound with raised lettering.  It was a cheap alternative to the more expensive brass case regulators of the day.  I fact the plastic case with 6 screws was probably a superior design and definitely sealed the main diaphragm.  This regulator is very unique looking and is beautiful in is ugliness.  These cases prove to be very durable and resistant to corrosion. The internals were basically a Stream Air.

This regulator is from the 50s and is one of the earliest that US Divers had to offer in the USA.  It is one of my favorites even though not the best breather.  It takes a good technician to rebuild one of these and to get everything out of it.  This regulator was used in tests at DIVE LAB in 2007 and 2008.  It was put though it paces on the breathing machine beside a Royal Aquamaster, A Phoenix Royal Aquamaster, and the Military Mentor.  It was returned to the Museum safe and sound and still the King of the hill in it’s own mind.

This Green label Trade Mark Aqua Lung predates the blue label and would have come with a black one hose piece assembly.  This model also has a rougher casting to the body than the later models.  This model has been retrofitted with a EZ clear hose and mouthpiece assembly as most were back in the day.  The Scuba Museum is actively seeking a RED and Black label to round out the display.

This NON MAGNETIC does not actually have low MU markings and is composed of non magnetic parts that failed the military’s signature testing.  These are very easily identified by the unique foil style label US Divers placed on them as well as the heavy yoke with small yoke screw.  It is reported that approximately 90% of the non mags submitted to the US Military failed the test and did not receive the low MU marking.  Some of these regulators still went into the service of the country for missions that did not require a low magnetic signature and were used in various “tactical” missions.  This model is serial number 1721, however I do know of one other in a private collection serial number 2018 indicating that perhaps over 2000 tactical non magnetic regulators were made by US Divers.

The 1950s US Divers Over Pressure originally came with a small tube going down the supply side hose to the metal mouthpiece.  It is very rare to see one complete today.  The little hose became more brittle more quickly than did the original corrugated hoses.  Most models were retrofitted with a three piece hose assembly like what you see on mine.  This regulator does not seem to be as collectible as many other USD models but I find it very aesthetically pleasing with the shiny chrome front can and satin rear can.  It is also interesting to note that this was probably the last USD model made that used the separate screwed on exhaust housing for the duckbill like the Broxton.  Later models made by USD like the Stream Air did away with this trait probably for ease of manufacture.

This is the Overpressure completely restored and rebuilt by Vintage double Hose.  This regulator cannot be over breathed and in fact darn near will give you an over expansion injury in the garage!  After having it restored I can see why it did not last in it’s original configuration long with most divers.  Also included in these pictures are the original riveted diaphragm, now quite crunchy, and the original green supply hose.  The original US Divers marked corrugated hoses are still in great shape even after all these years. This regulator was a favorite of Poppy Lungmeister acording to Bryan of VDH!

The Navy Type DA is another riveted label 1950s regulator from US Divers.  This particular model has the original tinnermann hose clamps still on it.  These clamps are period correct but are prone to rust, difficult to deal with, and ruin the original hoses in my opinion.  I almost always remove the tinnermans from the regulators I dive to make it easier on maintenance.  I have not had this model rebuilt as it is basically the same regulator as my beloved DIVE LAB tested Trade Mark Aqua Lung blue label, Broxton.

The ROYAL AQUAMASTER, AKA the RAM!  This is the best breathing regulator that US Divers had to offer.  If you want a vintage scuba regulator that will breathe well on a high pressure cylinder then this is the one you want.  It does not matter if it is at 3500 PSI or 300 PSI, it will supply you air like no other regulator out there.  This example came to me with mismatched hoses?  One hose appeared to be of DACOR DIVING LUNG origin and the other a regular US Divers,  The regulator itself looked as if it had been dived, if at all, a few times in fresh water only.  The label is a gorgeous blue and almost perfect.  The chrome also is so nice it was a pain to photograph.  I bet you can tell me what kind of camera I was using (see reflection).  I restored this regulator with correct US DIVERS hoses and dive it with great care.

This was the last of the Royal Aqua-masters.  It featured a heavy Conshelf style yoke designed for the higher pressures of the newer tanks.  I also featured the round label and a nice deep chrome finish (making it very hard to photograph).  While definitely not as elegant as the first RAMs it is one of the most coveted Royals by divers that wish to use it on newer high pressure cylinders.

The Phoenix Royal Aquamaster or PRAM was designed by Luis Heros and manufactured by Bryan Pennington of www.vintagedoublehose.com .  The PRAM is perhaps the most modern vintage scuba regulator ever made.  What you are looking at is a DA Aquamaster that has an new updated nozzle installed giving it 3 high pressure ports and 3 low pressure ports.  I use this regulator almost exclusively when I dive my Viking dry suit.  It gives me the ability to use very high pressure cylinders given the heavy yoke.  I can also have a submersible pressure gauge without using a banjo, which can be a pain while wearing dry gloves.  The coolest part is the ability to run a low pressure hose to my dry suit inflator valve.  Of course in the case that you may want to have a bcd with an auto inflator you can run a hose to that as well.  This PRAM was powder coated black to mimic a Navy non magnetic da Aquamaster.  This was one of the first PRAMS built and is serial number 007.  My name is also stamped on the nozzle and I treasure it.  I will never part with this PRAM.

The Stream Air was a 1950s US Divers regulator.  It was one of the first if not the first to have tabs holding on the label and a one piece label side can.  It was a good breather, but was replaced by the Mistral.  The Mistral was essentially the same regulator, but with a different venturi nozzle.  Some Stream Airs were upgraded with the new nozzle and this can be still done today.  These new nozzles are available at VDH Venturi Nozzle for a small price.  This Stream Air has in fact been upgraded by www.Vintagedoublehose.com complete with a brand new venturi nozzle.

This is one of two perfect US Divers Mistrals I have ever owned or seen.  I acquired this beautiful Mistral from one my fellow Sand Dog Plank owners a few years after the first Sand Dog in 2004.  It has been overhauled by www.vintagedoublehose.com and I replaced the terrible hoses it had with new silicone yellow hoses and mouthpiece also from VDH.  I chose to outfit this Mistral with the yellow hose and black mouthpiece cobination.  The Mistral came with several different combinations of hose assemblies, but I think this is the sharpest.  I challenge anyone to show me a Mistral in better shape today.

This Royal Mistral was just obtained by the Museum and is in the restoration process now.

This is one of 2 regulators I have with the Stubbed Hookah port (unfinished port).  This one came to me as you see it.  It is obviously not Non Magnetic but it is a DA Aquamaster.  It is a satin chrome regulator, but has a shiny chrome long yoke installed.  It is in great shape and I think in some ways more rare than a Non Magnetic, but I do not know any manufacturing numbers.

The US Divers Royal Master was only made for about two years (1964 to 1965) and is a must for any vintage scuba diver’s display.  The Royal Master was replaced by the Royal Aquamaster.  This model was delivered to me with a short yoke and a beautiful label.  It is my understanding that all Royal Masters and the first Royal Aquamasters came with short yokes making the use of most banjo fittings impossible.

The Dual Air was the brainchild of Sam Lecoq.  Sportsways made the double hose regulator after they had been making the single hose regulator.  One really neat thing about these vintage double hose regulators is that you can adjust the intermediate pressure without taking the regulator apart.  This regulator also had high and low pressure ports.

This is the Hydro Twin by Waterlung.  It was an unbalanced 2 stage regulator and like other Waterlung 2 hose regs the IP could be adjusted externally without taking the regulator apart.  The Hydro Twin was offered in 1963 as a replacement for the tilt valved Dual Air. The Hydro Twin has a downstream 2nd stage. It also had a high pressure and low pressure port. The Hydro Twin II succeeded it in 1964. This regulator had a balanced 1st stage.  This particular regulator has been dived to 138 feet by The Scuba Museum staff at Paradise Springs in Ocala Florida and it performed very well.  The label has some tar like substance on it that cannot be removed without damaging the label.  The hoses were in poor condition so a US Divers set were substituted.

The Waterlung Hydro Twin II was a 2 stage balanced regulator like the Royal Aquamaster.  This regulator was superior in many ways however.  The box clamp was standard as was the ports for low and high pressure.

Cataloged in 1963 the single stage Healthways SCUBA regulator was called the most dependable regulator in its class.  This regulator breathes as good as any Mistral provided it is paired with a good soft diaphragm.  The captured yoke nut is also somewhat unique.  The major shortcoming of this regulator was the hose assembly and mouthpiece.  Most were replaced with a US Divers hose assembly for easy breathing.  The regulator sold for about $52.00 in 1963.

This was Healthways first model I believe.  It like all their models came standard with a clamp ring to hold the cans in place.  This was  a major improvement over the clips offered standard by US Divers.  I believe that Healthways was the company that put the acronym SCUBA on the map.  Prior to Healthways using the term skin diving was more often used.

The Healthways Deluxe single stage was first cataloged in 1960 with the “high test neoprene hose” and sold for about $52.00.  It can standard with the mouthpiece shown but for an additional $7.95 you could have it retrofitted with a Hope Page mouthpiece; a major improvement.  The original diaphragms in these regulators perished and as a result until the food grade reproductions where made available these regs had to sit on the shore.  Now all three of the Healthways double hose regulators can return to the deep.

The Dacor Diving Lung Dial a Breath was a 2 stage double diaphragm design.  This double diaphragm design was used to circumvent the Cousteau Gagnan patent from what I am told.  I have not dived this one, but did dive a Dacor Diving Lung for several years in the late 90s.  I found it to be a good breather, though many people would disagree with that statement.  My only 2 complaints with this regulator is that it sits a little too far forward and the hoses, while very strong and not prone to breakage, were very stiff, short, and uncomfortable, owing to the belting in them.  Positives in favor of this design was no duckbill, screws instead of c clips or clamps and a robust yoke.

This is one of the more rare Dacor Clipper regulators.  It also showcases the DIAL A BREATH feature.

The New England Divers Company rebranded Sportsways Waterlungs.  This example has a little missing off the label, but not enough to have a reproduction made.  The hoses were long gone when I got it so I took this opportunity to use some one inch hoses from a company in Ohio and a Hope Paige mouthpiece.  I think everything mates up rather well and this regulator breathes very nicely.  I have dived this regulator on several vintage scuba dives in Maine, Ohio, Florida, and Massachusetts.

The DIVAIR Model B 1955.  Ed Fisher,now 86 years old did a 24 hour Endurance dive at French reef off Key Largo,Florida 21-22 August 1954 he used Divair regulators as a promotional stunt, at the time his dive made Time magazine and most major newspapers, the regulator went unnoticed, photos of the dive can be found in Jerry Greenberg’s book Manfish.  This Divair was brought back to life and dived by Museum staff along with a Model C 1956.  Divairs were not known for quality and resurrection was a challenge.

This Faux JC Higgins was made from an Over Pressure.  The original regulator was made for Sears by Aqua Lung, and sold under the JC HIGGINS name.  It was unique in that it used an early label side can with a separate exhaust housing like found on the early Aqua Lungs.  This one was made from an Over Pressure.  The label was fabricated, it is a decent reproduction, but not exact.  The can paint colour match was made by the aid of an original JC Higgins regulator using a paint computer.

This Seahorse regulator and tank combo dates from the 50s.  It is very similar to some of the homemade rigs made by early divers using Oxygen diluter regulators from WWII aircraft.  This diving setup was sold out of Pittsburgh Pa. in the 1950s and was not very elegant.  The tanks on this specimen were last hydroed in 1967.  The company apparently took the surplus oxygen regulator and waterproofed the diaphragm, added a Seahorse logo and mounted it to a solid manifold and sold it as a diving rig.  I do not know anyone personally that has dived one of these, but perhaps with the aid of some friends and a new harness from the Allan custom harness works I will some day.

The Northill Air-lung was made of brass and weighs a substantial amount.  It was made by the Garrett Corp in the good old USA.  The mouthpiece was a DSV, see the dive and surface mode.  The regulator also has a built in reserve mechanism which was great in the days of the old post valves.

This is a fantastic example of a homemade regulator from the 1950’s.  It was most likely made using the July 1953 Popular Mechanics article and a WWII oxygen aviation regulator.  The regulator’s diaphragm have to be “waterproofed” before using it as an underwater regulator.  I have not dived this regulator, but the few old timers that I do know that have all said it was a very hard breather.  I acquired this regulator in the Ocala area and I do not know who made it or the history of it.  If you happen to know the maker and or the history please contact me.

I know nothing about this regulator or it’s maker.  I do not even know if it was made in the USA.  It is a simple one stage like a mistral and appears to have a US Divers yoke on it.  The case is machined plastic and is screwed together.  The diaphragm is very stiff but should be easy to replicate.  The horns look as if they are valve inserts used in the early Broxton av Trade Mark one hose assemblies in the 50s.  I would guess this regulator was made in the 50s and it still works even today.