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While at the 2004 Flashback Weekend Horror Convention in Chicago, I was lucky
enough to meet both Julie Adams and Ben Chapman. Ben thought the photo above looked like one he had posed for 50 years earlier
while in the water, (shown next to my photo) and he autographed this for me!!
Here I am, struggling to get into the heavy suit...
Here are a few pics of my mother helping me first zip up the back of the suit, and
then closing the side of the mask.
There were many more photos, some underwater, some of me coming out of the jungle-like
brush and bramble, and even one of the creature "attacking" the dog...who had decided that the creature was a strange sight
and she must get into the pool to investigate.
As far as the test went, it went better than planned. I did not sink like everyone
thought; it was merely like swimming fully clothed. The webbed hands and flipper-like feet made it easy to swim. The scales
did not really let go of the material...there are a few thin spots to patch, but nothing really sloughed off like predicted.
The only problem was that the mask held air in the top, meaning I had to face
the surface of the water and let the water fill the mask through the eye and mouth openings. Once on the surface, the mask
created a vacuum, keeping the water inside, and nearly drowning the occupant. Relief cuts were made in the mask, and further
testing will resume next year....
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