Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Türkiye (Turkey)

[David Wilson]

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From the Kingdom of Norway we move on to the Republic of Türkiye, as Turkey is now officially known. The country is mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a smaller part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; and the Aegean Sea, Greece, and Bulgaria to the west.

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Istanbul (skyline above) is Türkiye's largest city. The country's diving equipment manufacturers were and are all based in this metropolis straddling the Bosporus Strait, the boundary between Europe and Asia. While the official Turkish capital is Ankara, Istanbul is considered Türkiye's economic, cultural and historic capital. The city has a population of over 15 million residents, comprising 19% of the population of Turkiye, and is the most populous city in Europe and the world's fifteenth-largest city.

 

[David Wilson]

Listed below are the names and contact details of the four Turkish diving manufacturers of the past and present who have come to my attention during my online research. The list may well be incomplete, hence suggested additions are most welcome.

- Adalılar Kauçuk. Oruçreis, Oruç Reis Mah. Barbaros Cad, 566. Sk. No:16/A, 34235 Esenler/İstanbul, Turkey. +90 212 629 52 98. Adalýlar Kauçuk ve Plastik Ürünleri Ýmalatý San. ve Tic. Ltd. Þti..
- Nilsan Nildeniz Kauçuk San. Tic. A.Ş. Davutpaşa Meskenler Karşısı Yıldız İş hani No.7 Esenler- Davutpaşa 34010 / İstanbul. Nilsan.
- Şener Kauçuk, Şti. Marmara bölgesi, İstanbul, Motorlu Dokumacılar Sitesi Yolu No:14, Türkiye. https://sener-ticaret-rubber-products-supplier.business.site/. Şener Kauçuk, Şti. İstanbul'de | Şener Kauçuk, Şti. İstanbul (Türkiye) internet mağazası.
- Yılmaz Dalış Malzemeleri. Atatürk Mah., Sülün Cad., Şeref Sok. İpek Apt. No:18 D:1, 34758 Ataşehir/İstanbul, Turkey. +90 216 456 29 00.

At the weekend, we shall take a look at the underwater swimming products of the first company on the list: Adalılar Kauçuk.

 

[David Wilson]

Straddling the Bosporus Strait, which forms the boundary between the European and Asian continents, Istanbul is the largest city in the Republic of Türkiye (Turkey). In this metropolis, whose population exceeds 15 million residents, Adalılar Kauçuk ("Islanders Rubber") Rubber and Plastic Goods Industry and Trading Corporation Ltd. began operations in 1973 to fabricate goods for a wide range of sectors (automotive, medical, telecommunications, etc.).

The company’s product range includes hot water bottles, inflatable ring cushions, ice packs, diving fins, rubber sports equipment (chest expanders, etc.) and automotive parts. Swimming and diving equipment is generally marked with the brand name “Champion”.

Let us now take a look at the diving mask and the swimming fins of natural rubber construction in the Adalılar Kauçuk Champion repertoire of diving and swimming goods over the decades since the company’s foundation.

 

[David Wilson]

We shall review today one diving mask from the Adalılar Kauçuk Champion underwater range. The item seems to be currently out of production.

This mask bore the product name "Nemo". It appears to be a typical 1970s-style kidney-shaped model with a thick plastic rim surrounding the lens. Black rubber skirt with nose pocket for nostril-pinching when ear-clearing. Split head strap with the brand name "Champion" embossed in the outside.

At some time midweek, we shall proceed to review the swimming fins in the Adalılar Kauçuk Champion underwater range.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, АлександрД and lowwall.

The Adalılar Kauçuk Concorde 2000 fin:

A long-bladed freediving-type fin with an enclosed heel and open toe. This model clearly derives from the discarded moulds of the Italian Mares sub Concorde fin (below). It even comes complete with Massimo Scarpati's signature on the blade.

 

[David Wilson]

The Adalılar Kauçuk Jet fin:

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This model also comes with a closed heel and toe opening. It has a vented blade and a heel strap for extra security. Probably now the world's only jet-type with a heel strap as well as an enclosed heel.

More Adalılar Kauçuk fin models at the weekend.

 

[JMBL]

Congrats for more good work, you seem to be unstoppable !

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the encouragement, JMBL.

The Adalılar Kauçuk Jetta fin:

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Another closed-heel open-toe fin. Smooth blade on top, non-slip heel pattern on bottom. Very light fin despite being all-rubber.

 

[David Wilson]

The Adalılar Kauçuk Süper Jet Model 1 fin:

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A full-foot open-toe fin with side rails and a central rib for blade reinforcement. Soft, comfortable foot pocket. These fins were previously manufactured by another Turkish diving equipment maker, Nilsan Nil Deniz Kauçuk, where they were given the product name "Golf 2000" (below). You may also recognise the original design as the Mares sub "Sea King", made in Italy.

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More Adalılar Kauçuk fins midweek.

 

[JMBL]

Am I wrong in thinking that those fins are still produced and available for sale ? From your pictures, they all seem brand new.