ZSh-5A appears to be the first modification of the original ZSh-5 design. The only difference between
the original design and A modification is the addition of the automatic lowering mechanism on the
latter. I believe letter "A" stands for "avtomaticheskii" - automatic.
Automatic visor lowering mechanism is located on the left back of the helmet, just behind the manual
visor mechanism. It could be operated both manually, by pressing a small trigger located underneath,
or automatically where mechanism snaps the visor down upon ejection.
Just like ZSh-5, early ZSh-5A helmets could have been equipped with green, blue or charcoal
visors. Later on, all of the ZSh-5A helmets started to be equipped with charcoal visors only.
From the front ZSh-5A looks just like the original ZSh-5 helmet.
ZSh-5A from the left. Note the automatic visor lowering mechanism located just behind manual
mechanism.
This ZSh-5A spots connectors for two different aircraft communication systems, but usually all
ZSh-5 havae a single connector. Unfortunately I do not know to which aircraft this helmet can be
connected.
ZSh-5A helmet with KM-34D series 2 mask.
Same setup as above from the left.
Close up on the automatic visor lowering mechanism. Note a small metal trigger coming from
underneath of the mechanism - if you pull it back, visor will immidiatly snap down. Also note how the
mechanism is connected to the visor system - a small metal tube comes from the mechanism and goes into
the special slot inside of the redesigned visor mechanism. Upon manual trigger or automatic sequence,
this tube is pushed out of its slot and visor mechanism rolls counter-clockwise to bring visor in the
down position.
Automatic visor lowering mechanism without its plastic cover. The outer metallic plate to which
two white wires enter is acctually a trigger that brings visor down. Located further to the back of the
helmet is the automatic visor lowering mechanism. Mechanism is operated electronically and is wired to the
main electrical/communication system of the helmet.
Pictured here is early ZSh-5A helmet with a blue visor.
ID label of the helmet.
Right side of the helmet.
Complete pilot setup consisting of the ZSh-5A and KM-34 mask...
