I’m always asked why I have such an ecclectic collection. Well…..It started in 1989 when I took the basic SCUBA course and joined the local scuba club. At the time the club had a table at a lot of different event to promote diving and I took on the job of making a proper display for it. To do this I managed to buy some 1960s diving gear and a US Divers Com Hat 1 commercial diving helmet to contrast our new gear. Over the next few years I added pieces to this collection then was given a gas mask and an SCBA mask along with some diving stuff. This led to NBC gear and Firefighting bunker gear and hazmat suits. At the same time I bought a motorcycle in 1990 and that started me on racing and motocross gear. The NBC gear led to picking up other military gear like flight helmets and tank crew helmets.
Around 2000 I got into costuming for stuff like comic cons etc and have put a lot of my collection to use as costumes for groups such as the Umbrella Corp costuming group, Star Gate SG1, GI Joe etc.
Then in 2013 I decided I should learn to skate and ended up playing hockey (as a goalie) which added Goalie Masks and gear to my collection as well. Over the years other sports gear has also been added to the collection for various reasons.
So I still keep adding to it when ever I can find interesting pieces at reasonable (read “within my meager budget” ) prices.
Doug
