Russian pressure gear

Message 644:
For Sale Soviet VKK-4P pressure suit size 10 good condition with matching socks. Picture attached! Price to be negotiated, depending if you have trade items.Bye Ron

Message 711:
To all: Now that Holdek has shown us his GSh-9AP Russian pressure helmet (that I never even knew existed, heretofore), and due to the fortunate concurrent offering of a Chinese TK-4 pressure helmet on eBay, does anyone notice any similarities between these two helmets? I have been comparing photos of the GSh-9AP (at Holdek's site in Poland) with the photos of the Chinese TK-4 on eBay and there are very definite similarities, in my opinion. Since China has in past copied Russian designs (and come up with its own in their TK-2 series, apparently), there is a good possibility that Russia passed on studies or data on their GSh-9AP designs, which China then based its TK-4 series upon. The GSh-9AP is dated roughly in a similar time-frame as the TK-4. Any opinions or ideas among you others on this subject, out there? Thanks. (see attached images for a comparison, and apologies to anyone who feels as if these photos have been expropriated without due permission....).     Cheers, Chris Carey 

Message 906:
Hey everyone, Got my latest shipment in from mother Russia and the neatest thing is this Gsh-6. I don't know if it photographed well but it has a mirror visor. Anyone know anything about this? Cheers all, Steve

Message 907:
Well, Steve, that's certainly a different modification. I haven't seen one of these. And on the right side of the visor, is that a white plastic support, or reflection? Nice specimen. Is there a different mod number for it? Gato

Message 909:
I think that 'white plastic' on the right visor edge is the electric demister connection cover. Nice looking GSh-6A. I have never seen a silver reflectorized visor on the -6A, either. New one on me! Looks like 'Mother' has been good to SN! Cheers, DocBoink

Message 910:
Yep, Doc, I believe you're right. Now, if this is a GSh-6A, wouldn't there be some indicator of this modification;or, did the Russians not keep track of such changes? All the other features look the same. Gato

Message 912:
Hi there! I believe sbd. made this visor an mirror visor to make the GSh rare. I've seen a lot of GSh 6 and has never seen such a type. I can't even imagine what the mirror is for. Does the visor look look like hand made? What about the screws, do they seem to be  'used'. I would also check the mirror glass, especially the edges. That is very interesting thing for me so I will check it with my manuals and also with Russian friends. Best wishes Holdek

Message 913:
Protection against solar radiation for very high altitude flights? Can remember seeing a picture of a Foxbat pilot with this? Will have a look in my books, Bye Ron

Message 915:
I can't find any numbers on ths Gsh-6 but it appear to be a newer version or in fairly good shape. It did come straight from Russia (Moscow). As I know very little about the Russian nomenclatures, I will defer to Chris's id as Gsh-6A. The mirroring is somewhat lighter that the coating on U.S. gold visors and it still has the dark inner visor. Where should I look for the numbers? The green comms helmet has a small orange tag. Would the writing on it be helpful?Cheers All, Steve

Message 930:
Dear collectors! I just got back from Russia and took some pics of very rare helmets. I'll post all of them at my site, now only one pic for the group. All the best Holdek

Message 933:
I have enclosed some photos taken of the Gsh-6 previously mentioned [message 906]. There is a DTK 1986 on the rubber liner in the neck ring. The 3 photos enclosed are of the orange tag on the comms helmet, a tag in the crown of the helmet and a number on the inside edge of the visor. It appears some type of film has been applied to this visor. Let me know what you think. Cheers, Steve N.

Message 942:
That is a most interesting older helmet [message 930]. I presume a pressure helmet, very much along the lines of our WWII 'Tomato Worm' pressure suit experimental suits? Do you have any details on it? Cheers, DocBoink

Message 943:
Hi Steve, As far as I can see, the helmet [message 933] says GSh-6LP and the visor says Gsh-6M. Ron

Message 947:
I believe this is the very first pressure helmet [message 942]. There are no numbers and plates in or on it. It is so old that the gum parts are in very bad condition. As I wrote earlier I have few pics of that kind of russian helmets. I'l post the pics on my site and then will let You know about that. Best wishes, Holdek

Message 948:
Holdek: Thank you for this additional information on the early Russian pressure helmet. It bears a faint resemblance to one of the earliest German pressure helmet designs (late 30s/WWII era) in that it appears to have had one frontal, two lateral, and one overhead transparency for viewing, fitted to a rigid exoskeleton framework. Quite obviously old and most interesting. Must say I envy you your firsthand 'eye' out on the Russian Federation. DocBoink

Message 952:
Hi DocBoink, [Message 943] Visor: GSh6M (note the lack of the dash) Zehasht 2516 (what ever that means, i am still searching for my dictionary). One would suspect that the visor would have had an other identification (the GSh6LP naming) instead of referring to the GSh-6M! As the visor is the difference between them.... Or they changed the entire name of the unit in GSh6LP after modifications. There is an ZSh7LP, anybody knows where the LP stands for? Has Craig Martelle no idea? As he is the supplier of the helmet. Funny part with those Cyrillic writing is that they do keep writing a western N in front of a (Izdeliye, series) number. Otherwise it should have been the Cyrillic H for N......Dazvidanja, POH KPAAH

Message 1302:
Attached is a photo that may be of interest. It appears to be a Serbian MiG-21 pilot's GSh-6A assembly. It is available from Miroslav. Cheers, DocBoink

Message 1548:
After much searching, I dug this photo I did a while back of one of my Soviet high altitude partial pressure suits (VKK-3). As with the rest of my Soviet suits, I've always wondered what this particular bladder is used for? Obviously, the first bladder in the photo, is for the anti-G feature, but this second one is attached by buttons, and has a small, short hose with a plug at the bottom. If anyone can tell me what the purpose of this bladder is for, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.Wizzo

Message 1562:
Hey Wizzo, I have a similar bladder in my new condition VKK-6M, although it does not button in. It has the little hose attached too. Got me on what it's for. Wild guess from its appearance and location makes me think of some sort of piddle pack feature, if certain other accessories are used. I don't think it would be an additional G-purpose bladder. Anyone else? Gato

Message 1564:
The bladder is to hang there the face part of the helmet .  Waiting for Your reply  Holdek

Message 1566:
Clearly, its NOT for urinary collection. Hence the appropriate zipper opening that is in the appropriate position on the suit. Plus, since the hose is so small and so useless for that function, it has to be something completely unrelated to urine collection. Let me add the fact for my own first hand experience in the F-111F, you use take a long a piddle pack or two or three and do what comes naturally. After experimenting myself with it at various inflation levels, I've determined that it may have something to do with the anti G bladder behind it. Prehaps a "preset" inflation to aid the anti G bladder? Its still a mystery to me.Wizzo

Message 1567:
Hi Wizzo, Sorry, I was not really serious about the function of the bladder! The bladder on my suit is positioned inside the G suit bladder next to the wearer. Perhaps it is supplemental in function. I will check with my limited sources. Gato

Message 1569:
Hi All, From one ol' helmet collector to all you pressure suit guys: The Russian VKK-6M pressure suit incorporated a small sealed air containing bladder called the "body compensator" that laid between the fabric of the suit and the upper abdomen. The air trapped in this bladder expanded on exposure to high altitude and applied pressure to the abdomen during pressure breathing. I suspect that this is the function of this bladder. Are't you just dying to know know how I knew this? Hint: a little birdie told me.....Cheers, FIGMO

Message 1674:
Hi all! I have a quickly question.... What's the purpose of an orange neckskirt sometimes present on Soviet GSH 6 helmets? Thank you in advance for your attention.
Ciao Maurizio

Message 1679:
The orange neckskirt is used when the helmet is worn with the VMSK-4 anti-exposure suit, which has an orange nylon outer shell. Sometimes the entire helmet is painted orange, as well. These neckskirts are fairly rare.
Cheers DC5

Message 1681:
Hi Maurizio, The Russian partial pressure suit had an orange colored coverup I believe WMSK-4, so the orange skirt was supposed to match that variety of the suit. See attached
Gato

Message 1684:
The orange neckskirt is used along with the orange GSh 6 LPM. Depends on the flight type may be used along with complete VMSK-4 that has the orange outer suit or with just MSK 4 or 5 which is also in orange color. In generall the orange colors are used during flight at the sea. E.g. pilots from 'Admiral Kuzniecow' worn this type of helmet and suits.
Regards, holdek .