VKK-6M - Altitude Compensation Suit

Chinese version of the VKK-4 - I had some of these, but now I'm all sold out.  

Above, a close up of the front of the DC-4 (VKK-6) and below, the backside.  The carry bag at the top is the one that goes with the particular suit in the picture.  Although this bag is dirty, the suit itself is brand new.  The bag with suit at the bottom of the picture is how I received these suits - new and tightly wrapped.  I have one that I opened - the dirty bag and the other suits are unopened.

Above, the front of the DC-4 (VKK-6) and below, the backside.

The VKK-6M is the most commonly used flight suit in the Soviet days and now in the Russian Air Force era, too. 

VKK stands for высотный компенсирующий костюм - altitude compensation suit.  There are two main connecting hoses which attach to female connectors within the cockpit.  There is no separate pressure control valve on the suit itself - everything is controlled from within the cockpit.

To the right, you see the full view of a GSh-6LP with the VKK-6M.  The leather boots appear to be non-standard as well as the gloves, but you can get a real good feel of what this setup looks like close up.

The suit has numerous zippers, straps, and the final size adjustment piece is the string ties - these are located along the light green parts of the suit shown on the right.  They line the insides of both legs and both sides of the zipper along the front of the torso.  

The VKK-6M comes in sizes from 3 to 12, with 9 being the most common.  Each VKK-6M comes in a bag, shown on the right.  This one has the lead plug showing that it is unopened from the factory.  Also, each VKK-6M has its own serial number.  

Additional information regarding the VKK-6M.  The pressure is provided to the system via oxygen (according to the VKK-6M Technical Manual).

The gloves come in ten sizes from 7 1/2 to 9 3/4 (1/4 between sizes).  

The boots come in five sizes - 38, 39-40, 41-42, 43-44, and 45-46.

VKK-6M suits should only cost about $100 each for one that is new.  Used ones in decent condition can be had for about $100 each.  And the coup de grace, a brand new size 12 could draw as much as $600.  Ouch!  The VKK-4 is growing more rare by the day, so it climbs in price, depending on condition.  I would expect around $300 for one in pristine condition.

 

Shown below are two pictures of Pablo DeLeon modeling a VKK-6M and GSh-6A.



An original unopened VKK- bag above and the matching VKK pilot boots below.

And finally, I've included a picture of a VKK-4 with the VKK booties.  These booties carried on when the VKK-4 was upgraded and replaced by the VKK-6.

A size 11 VKK-6M tag.

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Contact me at gauntlet2@hotmail.com if you have any questions.