Lot 341
c1970s, Soviet VKK-6M High Altitude Flight Suit & Helmet. Replacing the 1950s era VKK-4 flight suit, the VKK-6 became the most widely produced Soviet high altitude compensation suit and is one of the most easily recognizable Soviet flight suits designed worldwide. The suit has a zipper running through it, making it much easier for the pilot to get into the suit.
Overall, VKK-6M suit consists of the 3 anti-g bladders located inside the suit - they cover abs and upper legs and are interconnected with tubes to provide equal pressure. On the outside, VKK-6M has two rubber tubes running from bottom to the top - these are filled with air as soon as the cockpit becomes unpressurized to prevent pilots from internal damage due to the pressure difference. Manufacturer supplied information says that the suit was designed to help pilots withstand up to 10g and is capable of working at temperatures ranging from -50C to +50C degrees.
The suit is in original condition as issued, folded in a carry pouch with a security thread sewn through the buttonholes, thus insuring that the suit is in original condition. We have not cut the thread, preferring that the buyer have this pleasure himself, just as the pilot that was issued this suit would have.
ALSO included is a Gsh-6 helmet. First developed in the early 1960s, the Gsh-6 series of helmets became the primary helmet for all Soviet and Russian pilots flying at high altitudes. All of the Gsh-6 helmets have a two-position clear visor. Its lowering mechanism is made in such a way that when the visor is in lowered position, it's sealed to the helmet and won't allow air either to enter or escape from the helmet. A smaller sun protective visor is located inside of the helmet and operated via a small knob on the right side of the helmet.
The Gsh-6 was the first production model of Gsh-6 series. There were less than 3,000 original model Gsh-6 helmets produced, making it a very rare helmet these days. The helmet is in new condition, although with some rubs on the clear visor, rubs on the white paint of the helmet and a pilot's (?) name handpainted on the back of the neck.
An excellent piece of high altitude memorabilia for any collection.
Estimated Value $750 - 1,000.
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