Code: CWH-4
Russian GSh-6A high altitude pressure flying helmet. Introduced in the late 1960s these were manufactured with a glass fibre covered aluminium shell and heavily padded lining to provide comfort and insulation. The helmet features a hinged electrically heated visor that seals to the shell when clamped closed. A smaller internal tinted anti-glare visor is operated via a lever in front of the emergency oxygen regulator. The visor retracts between the lining and helmet shell. Oxygen is piped into the right side of the shell and also around the main visor to prevent fogging. The helmet comes with a nylon neck skirt. An aluminium neck ring mounts to the helmet via a series of lugs. This ring is the correct size but the helmet lugs do not sit far enough into the ring to enable it to be clamped into place. It looks fine but cannot be held in place. The ring also holds a rubber neck seal making the helmet air-tight in use. The neck skirt also has wiring for the avionics. These helmets were worn for flight in the Su-15, MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-25 fighter/interceptor airplanes. The clear pressure visor is electrically heated to prevent fogging of the visor. The shell has cosmetic blemishes, scratches and soiling but is in good condition and the sprung loaded visor rises as it should when opened (note the pull toggle/bead on the release mechanism is absent but would be very easy to replace). The internal visor also operated correctly and the lining is complete. The hoses, avionics and skirt all appear to be in good condition. These make impressive display pieces with the appearance of a 'space helmet' and many have been used in science fiction films over the years. Stock code CWH-4.
