Soviet VK-3m ventilator suit

The VK-3M is a one piece suit designed to regulate a pilot's temperature as the aircraft travels over a variety of environments.

VK-3M Technical Specifications (1)
Manufacturer:	Zvezda
Temperature:	-50 to +50C
Duration of Protection:	60-90 minutes at temperature extremes
Suit Weight:	Uncertain at Present

It performs this task by venting warm or cool air through a number of air ducts that permeate the suit. For this reason it is called a вентилирующий костюм or ventilating suit. The range of temperatures which the suit is effective can be seen in the table at right.

Unlike other flight suits, the VK-3M is not worn on its own, but over other types of flight suits. This is most commonly done in conjunction with the various VKK pressure suits which have no form of temperature regulation.

The VK-3M is made out of a lightweight material and both rugged and comfortable to wear. Donning the suit is done by stepping into the trouser portion then pulling the suit up over the shoulders. The main zipper is then pulled up which secure the suit.

Once the pilot enters the aircraft, the hoses on the left side of the suit are plugged into the plane's environmental system, which pumps air into it to keep the pilot comfortable. There is also a large opening near the waist which is used when it is worn over a pressure suit equipped with hoses. This gap allows the inner suit's hoses to be attached to the aircraft without interference.

VK-3m suits are marked on the inside near the zipper on the right shoulder. The label typically has three lines. The first of which lists the name of the suit (in this case VK-3M). The second line lists the serial number of the particular suit. While the final line lists the size of the suit.

As with all Soviet flight suits, the VK-3m comes in sizes ranging from 2 to 12.

Other VK-3m Accessories: The VK-3m suit is not a stand alone piece of equipment. It is issued with a cloth carry bag and an inventory 'passport'. Designated the S-6, the carry pouch measures approximately 10.0 cm x 18.5 cm x 48cm. (2) This bag secures by means of three snap closures along the front and is equipped with a carry handle.

On the rear of the bag is a pocket containing the inventory 'passport' for the suit. So far we have observed three different types of passport pocket. Though we do not have enough evidence, we suspect the older pattern is on the right and they become progressively newer as you move to the left. The first (on the left) measures 16.0 cm x 25.5 cm and has no button closure. Its passport is dated 1989. The second (middle) measures 15.0 cm x 22 cm and has a single snap closure. The third (right) has a different orientation and measures 19.0 cm x 13.0 cm. It also has a snap closure. Its passport is dated 1973.
Finally, all S-6 bags are serialized to match the VK-3m suits they contain. Its label will match the stamp found inside the VK-3m. This will match in type, serial number, and size.

Other Components of the VK-3m uniform:

A variety of helmets can be worn with the VK-3m ventilator suit. The pilot in our example (at left) wears the ZSh-3m with the KM-32 oxygen mask, but the suit is has been worn with helmets of the GSh-4, GSh-6, ZSh-5(3)(4)(5), and ZSh-7 families as well.

Similarly, pilots have worn a number of different flight and pressure suits under the VK-3m as well. The VKK-4 and VKK-6 series of pressure suits are most commonly worn with the VK-3m. Conventional flight suits of the M-1958 pattern as well as their tropical, khaki, TTsKO, and VSR variants are often worn with it.

Black side-zip pilot boots and gloves (summer and winter version) complete the VK-3m uniform.

VK-3M Uniform Modifications (1)

Almost immediately after being introduced in 1970, the VK-3M began to be modified in order to further improve its design. The first changes took place later that year and continued every few years until at least until 1984 (the latest year we have a source for). The table below details the changes that were made to these suits over the years. The first column lists the year of the change while the second column lists - in bold - the subsystem to be modified, while the specific changes are listed below the bold headline in regular type. At the end of this section VK-3m suits are shown and the differences between them are easily noticeable.

Year	Modification Type
1970 (1)	Ventilation system (a) 22 ducts (b) Removable system (c) Air-breweries are attached to the looped, sewn on the jumpsuit. (d) The length of the air ducts is unevenly distributed, and collectors are less likely to be placed on the beds. (e) The air pipeline that brings water to the lower back area has been removed (e) The collector on the jumpsuit is fastened with the help of ties. (f) The air wiring system has been changed, air ducts for blowing the shoulder have been removed, air ducts have been introduced to blow the thighs. (g) The ducts that lead the water in the chest, abdomen and groin have been changed. A lift The lift is removable, its dimensions are enlarged with the whole protection of the belt from cold or hot air. It's fastened with the help of the knots. Pistol Pocket Holster Stretched on the breast of the jumpsuit on the left side, made in the inside, has the shape of a gun (PM Makarov) and is covered with a zipper. Pocket for the PM magazine Located on the breast and made in the form of an overhead pocket, secures by a snap button NAZ attachment node Introduced with a semi-ring for attaching carbiner for NAZ on the right side of the jumpsuit below the right overhead pocket. Lower sleeves The zippers have been removed. The sleeves are extended. they are sewn with a tight rubber band. Lower pants Zippers are removed. The low pants are extended and are crowned with studs. Zippered Suit Entry The width of the entry is increased by 25mm Ventilation input hose Is passed through the harness and fastened by the slash to the left slash suit. ZIL (a) Excluded device for inserting air wires (b) Lace needle included (c) One set of group ZIL for ten costumes Belt Belt with buckle is worn in a harness suit Pocket for personal belongings Located on the left pants of the suit Pocket right overhead Closes on two buttons
1973 (1)	Belt Removed Pocket for personal belongings Removed Pocket for the placement of the KPL-2 Installed on the left pants of the jumpsuit in front at the place of the removed pocket for personal belongings. Executed by overhead, closed with a zipper. Pocket to accommodate the radio station's power supply Installed on the inside of the right front of the overalls, closed with a pile textile clasp. Removable power burning radio station Located on the right front of the jumpsuit in the right pocket for personal items, complete and mounted in exploitative organizations Hole for the power harness of the radio station Located in the right pocket, made by the swathe. Loop for fixing the radio station's power harness Tuned under the top edge of the right pocket for personal belongings Plate and washer for attaching the device KP-70 Installed on the left front of the overalls
1975 (1)	The NAZ attachment node Moved and positioned above top edge of the pocket at 60+-5 mm
1976 (1)	Pistol Holster Pocket Closed by zipper Pocket right overhead Put a pillow under the shoulder lock
1978 (1)	Shoulder clasp lock A pillow is inserted under the lock of the shoulder zipper. Suit Zipper Entry Increased entry in suits of Size 1, 2, and 3 by 30mm, in the rest - by 20mm. Lower sleeves Increased rubber band size in the lower sleeves by 25mm. Lower pants Rubber in the lower stirrup is sewn from the inside at a distance of 50mm from the bend of the stirrup.
1980 (1)	Pocket to accommodate power supply of radio station's press Removed Radio station's power harness Removed Opening for power harness of the radio station Not provided Loop for fixing the radio station's power harness Removed
1981 (1)	Pocket to accommodate the box of KPL-2 Inside the pocket on three sides are set partitions of fabric article 6181 with air holes in return and mixed partitions without holes
1982 (1)	Plate and washer for attaching oxygen device Moved up vertically at 40mm, swaying from the center of the puck

VK-3M Suit Comparisons

1970 suit

1973 suit

1989 suit

A quick look at the three VK-3m suits above will show the dramatic changes that were made to the suit over the years. The 1970 suit retains the loose belt of the VK-3 suit, has a rear pocket (not visible), no pistol or magazine pockets. Its hose is also uncovered and longer. The thigh pockets also change noticeably over the years - replacing snap buttons with zippers. By 1989 Velcro is used on the magazine pocket in place of the snap button.