YOKOHAMA VINTAGE HELIOX - HELIUM DIVING HELMET TOTAL WEIGHT: 65 lbs.      SERIAL NUMBER:    None               DATE: 1970 ESTM STAND INCLUDED Copyright 2016 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved   Presented is a Yokohama Diving Company 12 bolt mixed gas vintage dive helmet. It was the backup hat for a commercial diver which accounts for its light use and excellent condition for a helmet that is at least 46 years old. Approximately, 30 years ago it was purchased by the diver's neighbor for display and is new to the market. It is reported that the release valve, the high pressure line, check valve and spit valve are all in good shape. It has minor dents and scratches, but no pitting in the copper and a fine patina overall. The lights have few if any scratches. The Yokohama name plate is sharply struck and all part numbers match and are as detailed in the MARKINGS Section below. Each of it's 4 straps have the number 7 stamped in their bottoms. The bonnet and corselet are commercially fabricated and include a block style intake hoke, 2 chest rings mounted to the straps to allow room for the 2 chest plate lugs. There is no communications equipment, but it was the intention of the diver to fit some. Hence, the terminal lugs for the comm hookup are present. The clear finished NATURAL WOOD STAND IS INCLUDED. This design was manufactured from 1966 - 1990. and few are remaining in use or on the market. DESCO's Bill, furnishes this bit of dive helmet background history: "Back in the days when offshore oil diving was starting up in California, Bob Kirby came up with this design as a alternative to the US Navy MK V Helium helmet. His first six helmets were built using DESCO Sponge Helmets. He then switched to Yokohama helmets for his later production. When he quit making them himself, Yokohama took over and continued their production until 1990. This great looking hat will make a perfect addition to a collection of fine vintage diving gear and will appeal to the advance collector. HELMET MARKINGS The brail tops are matching numbers 1 2 3 4 to line up when attaching to helmet. On the bottom of each brail is the number 7. On the front two brails it has Yokohama diving on one and Apparatus Co Ltd. on the other. There is no serial number which my good friend Leon Lyons tells me is correct. Leon says, helium helmets made in Japan do not have serial numbers. There is a twin to this one on page 278 of his acclaimed book, "Helmets of the Deep".   Inside the bonnet of the Yokohama Helium Hat    CONDITION: Considering it's approximate 46 year age and use, it is in very good condition overall.  There are only a few small dents and minor abrasions present showing its light use. All of the the original tinning has been lost due to past polishing or is worn off. The air vents are all intact. The right side chin relief valve, spit cock handle, front door wing nut, all turn easily. The speaker housing is empty. No check valve is fitted, and no speaker is fitted. Two terminal plugs have been installed in anticipation of fitting a comm system.   Like all used diving gear, this is being sold for DISPLAY ONLY. It should not be dived without having passed inspection by a certified dive shop.               Left and Right side of the helmet. The stand is INCLUDED!  Famous Collector, Anthony Pardoe’s Description: Pgs 214-215 , Vol 1 – Diving Helmets and Equipment Through the Ages "All the extra fittings make this a very large heavy helmet. The badge is the same as on the 12 bolt Yokohama, with TS and the motif stamped into the front brail. The front brails have extra large securing rings attached, originally used for the diver to secure himself within the Bell when returning from his dive. All the windows screw out and are made of Plexiglass which is almost as strong as steel, making window guards unnecessary. The number M 7289 is under the left window, with the helmet locking bolt adjacent to it. Also on this side is the Helium mixture inlet port with a large non-return valve. The black communication line next to it leads to a microphone in the circular container on the top; and the housing on the other side of the same shape is a particular filter. The large chemical absorbent canister on the back of the helmet can only be changed by inside when on the surface, as any small amount of water on the chemical would burn the diver which could result in his death. A check is made when commencing a dive by inflating the suit greatly and coating it with soap liquid, which show any leaks by bubbles forming. The fin on the canister is to protect it from damage when surfacing under a hull. To operate correctly the Oxy / Helium mixture – which is controlled from the surface – must have a pressure of 100 psi above the deepest bottom pressure. The fine adjustment of the gas is made by the first stage Scubapro regulator clamped on the back of the hat; this is vulnerable and rather primitive. The exhaust valve is located behind the side window with a hand turn control knob , and also an internal head button. The other two valves by the front window are for gas adjustment. For a Japanese helmet it is very futuristic."                 The back of the Yoko Heliox helmet shows the cap on one elbow  HELMET MARKINGS The brail tops are matching numbers 1 2 3 4 to line up when attaching to helmet. On the bottom of each brail is the number 7. On the front two brails it has Yokohama diving on one and Apparatus Co Ltd. on the other. Top: Front of breast plate. Bottom: Inside of the breast plate Like all used diving gear, this is being sold for DISPLAY ONLY. It should not be dived without having passed inspection by a certified dive shop.  Both sides of the Yokohama Helium Hat HISTORY OF THE YOKOHAMA HELIUM DIVING HELMET: This Bob Kirby and Bev Morgan type Heliox helmet was manufactured by the Yokohama Diving Apparatus Co., Ltd. of Japan from 1966 to 1990. It was the first commercial type helium/oxygen dive helmet in the world and the first with a venturi recirculator system. Incoming air is more effectively silenced winch improved communications while preventing hearing loss to the diver. It's design includes a permanently mounted canister that holds a standard Sodasorb(tm) Co2 absorbent chemical cartridge. This replaced the shell natron that was used in earlier mixed gas designs that proved to be unsafe. It's 4 one inch thick threaded plexiglass lights are sealed against O rings improving visibility while eliminating the need for grills used over the former glass ports.The design was an advancement in deep sea diving technology that made reaching greater depths possible with less risk to the diver. Used by the US Navy and commercially, divers have reached depths of 1,600 feet with these hats. Yokohama is no longer in business. Kirby Morgan is now called Diving Industries International. SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination is an additional charge. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. Within the continental United States, a helmet will generally ship for $175.00 depending on destination and amount of insurance. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges within the continental United States are  included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.  International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement. Copyright 2016 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved