What Exactly Did I Just Get? 1950s twinset

[Boston Breakwater]

So I aquired this twinset at the amazing price of $0. But I have no idea what in the heck I actually just got. They are going in for hydro on Tuesday.

Hard to be certain from the pictures, but it looks like 1/2 inch NPT manifold and 1 inch to 1/2 inch NPT bushings. I just put new 1800 psi burst disc assemblies into some 1/2 NPT post valves... they make them for paintball co2 cylinders.
@azstinger11 , if you decide you don't want to keep them, let me know. I have a 10 y.o. that these tanks are perfect for.
.

 

[Boston Breakwater]

Hello. @azstinger11
I don't mean to downplay your find. They're very cool, and also very common.
They are Aviators Breathing Oxygen Cylinders. @James is correct. Walter Kiddie was typically designated as; WK & CO or WK
The marking preceding that was probably an inspection agency. Maybe Warnock Hersey? It's difficult to tell. There was an over surplus back then, and a lot of military personal could get them for free, and then source a manifold. U.S. Divers, and Dacor being very popular then. They are probably 48 Cubic tanks, and yes, they will have rounded bottoms.
Cheers.
Aviation Oxygen Cylinder Specifications - Aviation Oxygen, Aerox Oxygen, Cylinders, Masks, Portable Oxygen - Aviation Oxygen Repair, Overhaul, Maintenance - AviationOxygen.com

 

[Still Kicking]

Hard to be certain from the pictures, but it looks like 1/2 inch NPT manifold and 1 inch to 1/2 inch NPT bushings.

I think you are right about the bushings, which is bad news, as DOT regulations prohibit tanks with bushings from being filled.

Also, these tanks are very buoyant when empty -- you'd have a carry a lot of lead.

 

[azstinger11]

Hello. @azstinger11
I don't mean to downplay your find. They're very cool, and also very common.
They are Aviators Breathing Oxygen Cylinders. @James is correct. Walter Kiddie was typically designated as; WK & CO or WK
The marking preceding that was probably an inspection agency. Maybe Warnock Hersey? It's difficult to tell. There was an over surplus back then, and a lot of military personal could get them for free, and then source a manifold. U.S. Divers, and Dacor being very popular then. They are probably 48 Cubic tanks, and yes, they will have rounded bottoms.
Cheers.
Aviation Oxygen Cylinder Specifications - Aviation Oxygen, Aerox Oxygen, Cylinders, Masks, Portable Oxygen - Aviation Oxygen Repair, Overhaul, Maintenance - AviationOxygen.com

As a medically retired USAF Navigator and grandson of a WW2 B-29 pilot that makes them even cooler!

 

[James79]

I think you are right about the bushings, which is bad news, as DOT regulations prohibit tanks with bushings from being filled.

Also, these tanks are very buoyant when empty -- you'd have a carry a lot of lead.

I would love to see a reference for that statement... I have heard it repeated, but never with a reference. I have heard it refuted, but it's real hard to reference a negative (i.e. it isn't mentioned.
Not trying to be difficult or snarky, but genuinely want to know if you have a reference for it.
Respectfully,
James

 

[rhwestfall]

bushings are being used in old scuba tanks in numerous instances, still passing hydro, and still being filled...

 

[Blue Quaker]

Had a set of these when i first started out in the late 70s in the UK. Mine came with 2 pillar valves and a single outlet "cheater bar". They even had USAF stamped on the neck with the hydro details also "born" in 1954. When I picked them up I was told they were "twin 56" cylinders. The bands (2) had slits in them that the chest/waist straps attached to so no backpack required.

 

[Scared Silly]

Just remove the bushing when they are taken in for requalification.

 

[2airishuman]

Hello. @azstinger11
I don't mean to downplay your find. They're very cool, and also very common.
They are Aviators Breathing Oxygen Cylinders.

Why would an ABO cylinder be galvanized? Aren't most ABO cylinders 3HT rather than 3AA?

 

[2airishuman]

The proper burst disc may also be problematic to find.

DGX has 3360 PSI burst discs which are pretty close.