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KM-16N is a further modification of the KM-16A mask, which in turn is a copy of an oxygen mask used
by German Luftwaffe during WW2.
KM-16N's design is extremely simple - it consists of the oxygen hose and
a rubber body. Mask attaches to the leather helmet via two material straps
with metal hooks (see pictures below). On the bottom, mask also has another small strap with a
button that fastens to the helmet's chin strap. Early KM-16N masks had a metal wire with a hook
coming from the top portion of the mask. This hook was used to attach the mask to the early style
leather helmets's forehead strap. Later on in the production, this hook was replaced with a new one,
similar to the hooks used in KM-32 masks.
Inside, KM-16 has a small rubber piece, which pilots
could bite on, thus helping mask to stay close to the face during maneuvers.
KM-16N does not have a pressure demand system and, as a result, can not be used for high altitude
flying (by high altitude I mean altitudes above which human body can not survive without "pressirized"
oxygen mask).
KM-16N is issued as part of the set which includes green carrying bag, KM-16N mask, 2 metal studs
for old ShL helmets that do not have mask recievers and a metal lock which attaches to the bottom
edge of the hose.
KM-16N was produced in green and black body colors and is available in three sizes. KM-16 masks of
any type types do not have a built-in microphone and require pilot to wear a La-5 laringophone.
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| Content of the KM-16N carrying bag at the time of issue. |
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| KM-16N manual which explains how to properly wear mask. |
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| Metal studs that should be used with old helmets that do not have a built-in mask recievers. |
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| KM-16N from the front. Note the letter "H" (Russian "N") stamp located in the middle of the
mask. |
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| Stamp on the left side of the mask. |
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| Inside, KM-16N has a small rubber piece which pilot could bite on during high g manuevers to
help mask stay closer to the face. |
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| Located just above the "bite" piece is a small two digit stamp. It shows the last two numbers
of the year this mask was produced in (1959 in this case). |
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| This mask uses a slightly different attachment point to the oxygen supply system. Most probably
this is an old style which was used at the time of production of this mask. It appears to be
compatible with the newer style. |
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| Shown on this picture is a clip that attaches to the oxygen system's connecting piece. It's a
new style which aparently replaced the so-called "crocodile clip" used previsouly. |
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| Clip is in place... |
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| This pictures is a close up on the old style hook that attaches to the helmet's forehead
strap. Note the date of production - 9/59. |
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| Shown here is a possible pilot setup - leather ShL-61 helmet with an early
production KM-16N, old style pilot goggles and a La-5 laringophone. |
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| Same setup as viewed from the left. |
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| Goggles on - ready for take off comrade! |
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| This images shows a complete late production KM-16N set. Set contains all the same components
as the one shown above. Mask is made out of a black rubber (though green body masks also exist) and
differs from the one above in a number of ways. |
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| Left view of the late production mask - note it does not have a stamp present on the earlier
productions masks. |
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| Right side of the mask has a "KM-16" stamp - both early and late productions mask have it. |
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| Year of production (1983) stamp inside of this late production model of KM-16N mask. |
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| Late production KM-16N masks come with a newer style connector to the oxygen mask. This mask
has a light blue connector, but black connectors also exist. |
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| Close up shot of the front part of the mask. Note the "N" stamp and a newer style hook for the
leather helmet's forehead strap. |
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| This pilot setup consists of a ShLO-61 helmet, PO-1M goggles and late production KM-16N
mask. |
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