[Gersten, Savage, Kaplowitz, Fredericks & Curtin, LLP letterhead]

                                 June 20, 1997

Diplomat Corporation
25 Kay Fries Drive
Stoney Point, New York 10890

Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion, as counsel for Diplomat Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act"), being filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Registration Statement relates to an offering of 100,000 shares (the
"Selling Security Holder Shares") of common stock (the "Offering"), par value
$.0001 (the "Common Stock"), issued pursuant to a consulting agreement between
the Company and Mr. Hugh Levey.

We have examined such records and documents and made such examinations of law as
we have deemed relevant in connection with this opinion. It is our opinion that
the Selling Security Holder Shares have been fully paid, validly issued and
nonassessable.

No opinion is expressed herein as to any laws other than the laws of the State
of New York, of the United States and the corporate laws of the State of
Delaware.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Registration Statement. In so doing, we do not admit that we are
in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act
and of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                        Very truly yours,

                        /s/ Gersten, Savage, Kaplowitz, Fredericks & Curtin, LLP

                        GERSTEN, SAVAGE, KAPLOWITZ
                        FREDERICKS & CURTIN, LLP