Following on the footsteps of the ZSh-3 helmet, in late 1960s Soviet Union introduced its new helmet design with a built-in communication package, thus allowing pilots to wear it without leather helmet. ZSh-5 shell is made out fiberglass and unfortunately due to a flawed design starts to crack on the bottom, near the mask receivers, even after a moderate use. Inside of the helmet, top part is covered with styrofoam lining onto which pads with foam are fixed. On the back of the helmet there is an occipital bladder which attaches to the KM-34 mask - during hard maneuvers, bladder inflates and pulls pilot's face closer to the mask so he would get more oxygen.

ZSh-5 are known to have used green, blue and charcoal visors, latter is the most popular one. Just like its predecessor, ZSh-5 uses 3-point positions flip for lowering the visor - up, middle and down positions are available.

ZSh-5 helmets are equipped to accept only newer generation of Soviet made oxygen masks, such as KM-34. Older oxygen masks cannot be attached to the helmet as it uses different mask receivers. ZSh-5 helmets are most commonly seen with a KM-34 mask, but currently newer KM-34D series II mask started to replace the original. It is also possible that ZSh-5 can be worn with KM-35, but it is most likely this mask is used exclusively with the ZSh-7 helmet.

 

Inside view of the ZSh-5. Note white styrofoam to which foam pads are attached. On the inside back of the helmet is an occipital bladder. Also note visible cracks near the mask receiver - very common sight for the ZSh-5 helmet that was in use.
ZSh-5 helmet with green body KM-34 mask and green visor in the up position. Note the new design of mask receivers.
Front view of the ZSh-5 helmet with green visor in down position.
Left view of the same helmet.
ZSh-5 with blue visor.
Blue visor ZSh-5 helmet - note how mask connects to the occipital bladder.
ZSh-5 ID tag. It uses the same form as the ID tag of ZSh-3 helmets - first line is name of the helmet (ZSh-5) and size (2); second line is ID number (0347412).
This is yet another ZSh-5 helmet from the initial production batch. It's equiped with a more common, charcoal visor. This helmet was custom painted by a squadron into a mix of white, red and green colors.
Left view of the helmet above.
Right view of the helmet.
View from the back.
ZSh-5 with a KM-34D series 2 mask.
Same setup from a slightly right angle and helmet with a visor in a middle position.