Both the Comex ‘Beluga’ and the Kirby Morgan KMB-18 / KMB-28 band mask seem to be reproduced in the City of Yanchen, China. The Comex Beluga, a french made diving mask from the nineteen seventies is manufactured in China as the ‘HJ-801 diving helmet’. The Chinese made Kirby Morgan KMB18/28 style mask is manufactured in China as the ‘MZ-300’ (*!) Where Kirby Morgan uses glass fiber or moulded plastic for the 18 / 28 masks, the Chinese manufacturer states that he uses an alluminium alloy. On the manufacturers website this mask is offered in a red color, at a commercial website the same mask is offered as the ‘Jinlong Golden Dragon’ which is painted in KMB18 yellow.
The following description is provided with the masks:
HJ-801 type diving helmet (Comex Beluga style. DD) is safe and reliable, gas sensitive regulation, breathing, wearing comfortable, the advantages of clear vision, communication, water activity and convenient, is the ideal breathing apparatus working under water for divers. The helmet is widely used, is suitable for air and mixed gas diving and diving, underwater cutting, welding, camera, check, fishing, and other underwater engineering etc. According to the need, the helmet can be used with dry, wet warm clothing and water diving suit facilities, can be used alone. With the headset, walkie talkie purchased separately.
The maximum depth: 60-80 meters
Air pressure: 6-14KG/ cm
Flow rate of 500 L / min.
Dimensions (mm): 385*355*345
The air weight: 12KG
MZ-300 type diving helmet (KMB style. DD) is safe and reliable, gas sensitive regulation, breathing, wearing comfortable, the advantages of clear vision, communication, water activity and convenient, is the ideal breathing apparatus working under water for divers. The helmet is widely used, is suitable for air and mixed gas diving and diving, underwater cutting, welding, camera, check, fishing, and other underwater engineering etc. According to the need, the helmet can be used with dry, wet warm clothing and water diving suit facilities, can be used alone. With the headset, walkie talkie purchased separately. This helmet has all the advancements & features found in our other stainless steel models: Rugged helmet shell that is easy to maintain - No refinishing required if the surface is scratched or gouged. Elimination of threaded inserts for securing the port retainer to the helmet shell. Elimination of shell mounted weights. Removable Grip and Handle. The handle can be removed without breaking seals, making it quick and easy to attach accessories. A "built in" emergency valve that is an integral part of the stainless steel side block.
The maximum depth: 300 meters
Air pressure: 6-14KG/ cm
Flow rate of 500 L / min.
Dimensions (mm): 385*355*345
The air weight: 12KG
(*! I don’t know about the legal status of the Comex Beluga but to me it seems clear that the MZ-300 mask is an illegal copy of the US made Kirby Morgan KMB18/28 and that importing these from China is not allowed. European dealers who sold Chinese made KM SL17 helmets in the 90’s (fitted with some genuine KM parts and using lots of silicone to get them ‘air tight’) got into major problems with DSI / Kirby Morgan. I only show these masks on my website for general interest and recommend you do not buy or use these masks )
