VKK-4 Flight Suit
  

  
Mig-21 Pilot (1962)

The Pilot is Wearing:
The VKK-4 flight suit and using the GSh-4 high altitude helmet designed to function with the suit. 

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More about the uniform...

First introduced as a replacement for the older VKK-3 pressure suit in the late 1950's, the VKK-4 pressure suit was used for pilots of high performance jet aircraft such as the Su-9 and MiG-21.  Both of these aircraft were capable of flight at speeds exceeding Mach 2.  The name VKK stands for высотный компенсирующий костюм loosely translates as 'altitude compensation suit'.

The VKK-4P pressure suit differs from its predecessor in several ways.  One of the first is in how it lacks the large central zipper running down the middle.  Instead, the suit featured a zipper over each shoulder so that entry into the suit could be accomplished.  A back zipper was added (the VKK-3 had none), and the groin zipper was retained.  Zippers at the ankles and wrists help ensure a tight fit for the pilot.  Often, an assistant was needed to help the pilot don the suit.

The lacing on the VKK-4 was much more extensive than that of its predecessor.  A single row of laces can be found on the front of the suit, and two rows can be found on either side of the rear zipper.  This was in contrast to the previous model which lacked any laces across the front. 

The more extensive hose systems were arranged in an 'H' shape: beginning at the bottom of each leg just above the foot and then running up the back.  They connect by means of a horizontal hose just behind the shoulders, then continue to run down each arm to the wrists.  These hoses are fed by a connector in the lower left abdomen, which also links to the leg hose lines by means of two additional horizontal hoses.  These help ensure even air delivery to the system.  A second connector leads to an abdominal bladder.
 

The suit is used in conjunction with the GSh-4 (Germoshelm-4) helmet, but it has often been seen in use with the later GSh-6 helmet as well.  There are two variants of this helmet: The GSh-4M and the GSh-4MS.  This helmet comes in size 1 or 2.

In either case, the helmet is composed of three major parts: the faceplate, the headpiece, and the outer metal helmet.  The faceplate is the part that is most often removed by pilots.  This is done by pulling on a string near the chin.  This releases a latch that allows the faceplate to move upwards on a hinge at the top.  When pulled high enough, the hook disengages from the upper hinge and the faceplate can be completely removed.  The body is then removed by pulling on the small leather straps on either side of the helmet.  These release the springs holding the body to the outer helmet.  The body is then pulled forward until its hook disengages the hinge and it can be removed.  This body section also has a green zippered hood with a laced section.  This ensures a tight fit for the pilot. 

The outer metal helmet features a thin sun visor tinted dark green, though no all were equipped with this feature.  The helmet has no internal communications of its own, but must be worn with a light communications helmet (which is not shown here). 

Together, this uniform was part of the KKO-3 (Komplekt Kislorodnovo Oborudovaniya) assembly.  This equipment made it possible for the pilot to survive at the extreme altitudes at which he worked.