Atmospheric Diving SuitsThey've landed!
Thank you for being patient. This thread was formerly known as:
Thing from Japan 1911. Following are some period photos of the diving suits and photos of the kits that just arrived from Walter in Japan. This is some of the most exciting resin in my collection and I'm happy to share the joy with my Forum Comrades. Please fell free to ask questions and or make comments. I'm happy to help. If you're seeking detailed information about the kits, I recommend that you contact Walter directly at
Futuristic Robots in Japan (Walter's contact details are at the end of this post).
Chester E. MacDuffee
Atmospheric Diving Suit 1911 New York.'MacDuffee's aluminium alloy diving suit was tested in 1915 in Long Island Sound. The cylindrical joints mounted on ball bearings allowed movement in one direction only. The joints are not likely watertight due to the fact that MacDuffee implemented a water pump in the leg section of the suit. The pump operated on compressed air supplied from the surface and used air from the pump then expanded into the suit for use by the diver.
MacDuffee's suit was fitted with a 12 section gripper mounted on the right arm and an electric light on the left arm. Macduffee's diving suit reached to a depth of 65 metres in 1915.'
Information courtesy of Futuristic Robots Japan: thanks Walter!Scaphandre Atmospherique Marseille 1882'Displayed at the Muses national de la marine of Paris. Patent deposit 1882, manufactured in Marseille, weight 380kg (I'm making a guess its brass). In 1882 the
Carmagnolle brothers
Alphonse and
Theodore developed this atmospheric diving suit which was way ahead of its time. The design of the joint system used on the knees and elbows of the suit are still in use on astronaut suits.'
Harry L. Bowdoin 1918'Granted a patent for his submarine armour in 1915, Harry L. Bowdoin in 1918 presented his diving suit for testing by marine engineers and navel experts. Lowered to a depth of 400 feet (without occupant) off the Jersey coast, Bowdoin's suit passed the test. Bowdoin was then lowered to a depth of 200 feet where he then walked around on a sea ledge for 45 minutes.'
OK, here are the kits from JapanLeft to right:
Submarine Armor by Chester E. MacDuffee
Scaphandre Atmospherique by Carmagnelle brothers
Submarine Armor by Harry L. Bowdoin
Here are some of my photos of the MacDuffee kit and ending with a couple of images of completed figures from Walter's website.
This is close to flawless resin casting.
Like chocolate for modellers
I forgot to photograph the clear parts for the observation windows but you will get to see these in my build log.
Best regards
Fat Otto
Howling at the moon with excitmentp.s.
Model by David Richardson
Illustrations by Stan
All the rest by WalterYou can find Walter at mail: [email protected]
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