KM-19 is one of the rather rare and hard to obtain Soviet oxygen masks produced after the WW2. It's design is very much like the
one of US made A-8. A-8 were supplied in large quantaty to Soviet Union during WW2. It seems that Russians
liked the design and tried to improve their KM-15 oxygen mask with features from the A-8.
KM-19, just like the KM-15, has a very basic design. Drawing on the experience with KM-15, KM-19 rubber face
piece was made much larger - it covers not only nose and mouth areas, but also extends all the way under the
chin. Overthehead strap was replaced with a much improved design - it is now made out of 2 straps (top and
bottom). In the back, straps run through a wide rubberzied material strap which makes it more comfortable to
wear the mask. In addition, top strap has a small extension strap made to run over the top of pilot's head.
Overall, this new design allows a much more secure placement of the oxygen mask over the pilot's head. I
would say that this is the best design Russians had before introduction of late KM-16 masks which made use
of foreheand and chin connections to the leather helmet.
Another improvement over the KM-15 mask, was introduction of two side round exhale holes, just like those
found on the US made A-8 masks. Holes are covered by rubber sponges which probably were placed there to
prevent dust from getting isnide of the mask (I'm not a life support specialist so can't say if these sponges
serve any other purpose).
Just like KM-15, KM-19 has a thin rubber oxygen hose. Mask is not equipped with any kind of pressure valve
and thus is not suitable for high altitude flying. It also lacks any kind of inhale valve so there is a
constant oxygen flow, which during inhale process mixes up with air located in the rubber bladder.