David Wilson
Contributor
On to diving masks made in Bulgaria during the People's Republic era. The first two postings in this portion of the thread will focus on masks with no markings except for pricing in Bulgarian levs. My presumption is that these masks were made by the Hemus manufacturing cooperative in Sofia, but if anybody knows different, please provide information to complete the picture. According to the album of images at http://sofspravka.com/db/htmls/1130005970/detski-igrachki.htm, the model is simply identified as Маска "Елипса" (Transliteration: "Maska Elipsa"), which literally means "Ellipse" mask). The descriptor "Elipsa" may be the mask's official brand name or just a reference to its elliptical (oval) shape. What makes the model unique is the variety of solid colours available. We'll focus today on the version that comes with a stainless steel rim and top screw.
Elipsa mask
The Elipsa mask has is a plain oval diving mask with a rubber skirt, a stainless-steel rim, and buckles on either side for a non-split strap. It came without compensator bosses. The design is reminiscent of the British-made Typhoon Super Star mask my parents gave me as a birthday present in the early 1960s, which I cherish to this day:
In my opening paragraph I mentioned that the Elipsa diving mask was available in an unusually large range of colours other than black.
Here is a blue version:
Note the marking on the strap, "ЦЕНА 4,80 лв.", meaning "PRICE: 4.80 lev", which is the only indicator that the mask was made in Bulgaria.
Here is a green version:
And here is an orange version:
And finally, a yellow version:
I make that no less than five different solid colours, including black. If you're interested in the mask's dimensions, they are:
Mask width: 16 cm (6.3 inches).
Mask height: 12 cm (4.7 inches).
Strap length: 54 cm (21.3 inches).
Masks like these, dated as having been made in Bulgaria during the 1970s, were offered on eBay until relatively recently.
My next posting will be a review of "Elipsa" masks with plastic rims. They too came in a variety of hues.
Elipsa mask
The Elipsa mask has is a plain oval diving mask with a rubber skirt, a stainless-steel rim, and buckles on either side for a non-split strap. It came without compensator bosses. The design is reminiscent of the British-made Typhoon Super Star mask my parents gave me as a birthday present in the early 1960s, which I cherish to this day:
In my opening paragraph I mentioned that the Elipsa diving mask was available in an unusually large range of colours other than black.
Here is a blue version:
Here is a green version:
And here is an orange version:
And finally, a yellow version:
I make that no less than five different solid colours, including black. If you're interested in the mask's dimensions, they are:
Mask width: 16 cm (6.3 inches).
Mask height: 12 cm (4.7 inches).
Strap length: 54 cm (21.3 inches).
Masks like these, dated as having been made in Bulgaria during the 1970s, were offered on eBay until relatively recently.
My next posting will be a review of "Elipsa" masks with plastic rims. They too came in a variety of hues.