ZSh-5MKV2 helmets are what someone can call a definitive ZSh-5 version. Designed for Mig-29 and Su-27
fighters, ZSh-5MKV2 has two special mounts on top of the helmet for attachment of Shh-3UM NVU-2M targeting
sight. ZSh-5MKV2s were mass produced sometime in the second half of 1980s and early 1990s before being
replaced in service by ZSh-7AP helmet and its derivatives (ZSh-7APS and ZSh-7APN).
It seems as ZSh-5MKV2 helmets have been in production for quiet awhile and later produced helmets have
some slight differences from older ones. Old occipital bladders used on previous ZSh-5 models and early MKV2's
were attached to the helmet's back straps via two material strips with velcro - this made it rather
uncomfortable to install the bladder once it was taken off. New occipital bladder is actually placed in to
a slightly wider material equipped with velcro's on each end. When installed, material ends wrap around
helmet's straps making it a snap to install the bladder.
ZSh-5MKV2 helmet - front view.
Left view of the helmet. Note one of the mounts for the targeting sight. Another thing that might be
of interest is that helmet is equipped with greenish visor - apparently differently colored visors were used
with all ZSh-5 models.
Back view. This particular helmet used to have pilot's name written in red letter near the bottom,
which was later on carefully removed by someone.
Right view of the helmet - once again the only difference from earlier helmets is a mount for the
targeting sight.
Here is a close up on the cover of the automatic visor lowering mechanism. Note a small bended metal
strip attached to the cover at the back - sight's wiring runs through it, thus securing it to the helmet.
Couple of close up shots of one of sight's mounts.
Helmet's ID tag.
Here is a picture of a complete pilot setup made out of ZSh-5MKV2 helmet, KM-34D oxygen mask and La-5
laringophone.
Here is a couple of pictures of a different ZSH-5MKV2 helmet, this time with an attached targeting
sight.
Close up on the front side of the sight. Target acquisition is done by placing the target inside of the
glass circle. Note three "bumps" on the top and both sides of the sight - apparently they have special
sensors which allow to track pilot's head movement inside of the cockpit.