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(вентилирующий костюм) |
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(вентилирующий костюм) |
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The Pilot is Wearing:
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More about the uniform... The VK-3M is a Soviet/Russian ventilation suit designed to keep a pilot comfortable in a variety of environments. It is properly called a вентилирующий костюм or ventilating suit as it is designed to keep the pilot at a constant temperature. The VK-3M can also be worn over various VKK suits, as well as over more conventional Russian flight suits. It is made out of a lightweight material and both rugged and comfortable to wear. Donning the suit is done exactly the same way as the VKK suits, although this is much easier to do in the loose fitting VK-3m than in the tight VKK. In flight the hoses on the suit are plugged into the plane's environmental system, which pumps air into it to keep the pilot comfortable. One of the most noticeable features of the suit is the opening near the waist. It is used when it is worn over another suit such as the VKK so that its hoses can still be attached to the aircraft without interference. |
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| As with all Soviet flight suits, the VK-3m comes in sizes ranging from 3 to 12, with 9 being the most common. All suits have their own serial number and come in a simple bag with snap closures. Three lines mark the bag. The first has the name of the suit, the second has its serial number, and the third marks its size. |
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The ZSh-3 (защитний шлем) protective helmet is one of several helmets that can be used in conjunction with this suit. It is a three part affair comprised of the aluminum outer shell, a leather inner helmet, and a Kh-32 oxygen mask.
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The helmet is issued in three sizes (1, 2, and 3), while the
mask is issued in 5 sizes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
The visor of the ZSh-3M helmet comes in three colors. Originally the color was blue, but as it provided little protection from the glare of the sun it was changed to green. Later versions have a smoky dark color and are somewhat common. Like most other Soviet helmets, the ZSh-3 has no form of integral communications. This feature is provided by a throat microphone found on the leather helmet worn underneath it. The ZSh-3M in this picture does have a provision for a microphone in the Kh-32 mask. |
Service Chronology
Since its introduction in the VK-3M suit has been one of the most common Soviet flight suits. It has had a long service life and can still be found in service with the former Soviet republics today. In this section you will be able to discover what uniform the VK-3M replaced. You will also be able to read more about this uniform when it is obtained and added to the website.
| This Uniform Replaced... | VK-3M Flight Suit | This Uniform was Replaced by... |
| Uncertain at Present | Nothing, still in active service with the Russian air force. |
Here are some of the most informative sources that we have discovered on this topic. We hope you can find these sources as useful as we have.
