Soviet Air Force Uniforms of the Era of Rebuilding
(1946 - 1959)
 

Here you can see the uniforms of the Red Army during the early years of the Cold War.  The field and service uniforms of 1943 remained in service, as did the M-1945 parade uniforms.  This would be the case until the mid-1950's when the regulations mandated new parade and officer uniforms in 1955. 

These uniforms, often called the 'Zhukov' uniforms by collectors, were more ornate than their Patriotic War predecessors.  These changes proved to be unpopular and short-lived.  They were eliminated by new uniform regulations just two years later.  The regulations of 1957 saw a return to a more conservative look.  Even so, they introduced several new elements.  One of the most important was the introduction of the first of the shirt and jacket style uniforms which would go, on in a modified form, to out-live the Soviet Union itself.

It was also during this time when new special purpose uniforms were introduced.  One such uniform was the new pressurized flight suit that would enter service for the first time in the late 1950's.  Alongside these new uniforms was a one piece coverall for the paratroopers of the VDV.

The first true flight suits also came into existence during this period.  From the end of the war until the mid-1950's most pilots wore a combination leather jacket (patterned on the American bomber jacket) and matching leather pants.  These were phased out in favor of a blue two-piece flight suit.  A winter version was also made.  These were worn with the early ShL-50 leather flying helmets.  As aircraft began to fly higher and faster the USSR realized that it would need special pressurized flight suits.  The first of these was developed by Zvezda in the mid-1950's and was part of a system called the KKO-1.  It used a sealed helmet and the VKK-2 flight suit.  Changes were soon made and the pressurized suit went through several modifications resulting in the later VKK-3 and VKK-4 suits.

These uniforms of this period can be seen on the table below.  The uniforms of marshals and generals are described in the upper section.  Officers and praporshchiks can be found listed in the middle of the table.  Conscripts, extended service men, and cadets are shown in the bottom part of the table.  Special purpose uniforms such as diving equipment, chemical protection suits, and the like can be found in the final section.  At the bottom of the page is a list of source material that we have used to compile information about the uniforms.

• Air Force Marshals and Generals

• Officers and Praporshchiks

• Conscripts, Extended Servicemen, and Cadets

• Special Purpose Uniforms

• Source Material