Original Cold War Soviet MiG Jet Fighter Cased GSH-6A High Altitude Flying Helmet with Complete VMSK-4-15 Sea Survival High Altitude Flight Suit – VKK Flight Suit Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. The Soviet GSH-6A (Russian: ГШ-6A) Pressurized Sub-Orbital Flight Helmet was usually used on MIG-21, MIG-23 and MIG-25 fighter interceptor airplanes as well as for cosmonaut training flights. The clear pressure visor is electrically heated to prevent fogging of the visor.

This example is offered in very good condition. Used in the early Russian space program and when flying at extremely high altitudes, this GSh-6A (Germoshelm 6A) high-altitude helmet features a retractable inner sun visor and the locking ring worn at the pilot’s neck with the latex dam that fits snugly onto the pilot’s upper body. Overall a very nice complete and well marked helmet. It has the rubber neck gasket as well, though the rubber has torn and deteriorated somewhat.

The set comes complete with the original transit chest for the helmet, which may also be able to fit the inner suit. This suit is designed to provide individual life support to aircraft crews operating over ground and sea at high and low altitudes. Suit has its rubberized neck drape, as well as its original tag sewn into the inside shoulder, numerous pockets on the front side and two pockets on the back.

A fantastic flight suit set that comes more than ready for further research and display.

NOTE: The mannequin pictured is NOT included and was used for photo purposes. The flight status of the suit is unknown and is only to be used as a novelty/display item.

The VKK flight suit (высотный компенсирующий костюм), is a series of Soviet high-altitude partial pressure suit, which loosely translates ‘altitude compensation suit’. It has been the standard issue for pilots of both the Soviet Air Forces and the Russian Aerospace Forces for jet aircraft since 1958. With the development of jet fighter aircraft after World War II, higher altitudes were much more achievable, presenting a risk of low air pressure exposure to pilots. To counter this, the Soviet Air Forces employed use of the VKK-1 partial pressure suit, which began to see use in 1958 as part of the 1958 KKO-1 oxygen equipment system.

In 1957, as Soviet fighter aircraft advanced, a new suit was developed to handle the demands of mach 2 flight, most notably Su-9 and MiG-21. Complex by the standards of 1957, it is a simple design that often required an assistant in order for the pilot to wear the suit. The pilot would open the large zip on the front before the pilot entered it, zipping it closed. It had a simple hose setup that was H-shaped, with hoses travelling up each leg, joining at the shoulders, and travelling down the arms. Unlike the following VKK suits, it had only a single air inlet on the abdomen.

It was worn with the Gsh-4 helmet, however depending on the altitude of each flight, a variety of helmets could be worn. The system was known as KKO-3 (Komplekt Kislorodnovo Oborudovaniya) assembly.

By 1960, the VKK-3 was replaced by the vastly different VKK-4. Also used in high performance aircraft such as the Su-9 and MiG-21, it had several distinct differences to its predecessor. The front zipper was replaced by a zipper on each shoulder for entry of the suit, with more extensive lacing replacing the former suit’s front zipper. While still incorporating the VKK-3’s ‘H’ hose setup, the VKK-4 had two hose inlets instead of the single hose inlet.

While the suit could be worn also with the Gsh-4 helmet, it has also been noted that GSh-6 helmets were also worn with it. While it was quickly outdated by 1961, it saw extensive use well into the 1960s.

The 1970s saw the replacement of VKK-4 with the VKK-6. Major differences were replacements of just one zipper on one shoulder, abdominal bladder system as opposed to a hose, and changes to the chest size for enhanced comfort and ease of entry. Additionally, more zips and lace were added for a better fit.

Being controlled from the aircraft itself, the suit automatically increases pressure when low pressure in the cockpit is sensed. It employs the GSh-6 helmet, and has heating to prevent visor fogging.

The VKK-6 is rated to 100,000 ft altitude and -50 to +50 degrees Celsius, and has been in long service with the Soviet Air Forces and has been used in the Russian Aerospace Force. In fact, it is only in recent times that it has been replaced by the VKK-15.