VKK-4 high altitude compensation suit was introduced in early 1960s and was to replace the VKK-3 as a primary high altitude suit of the Soviet AF. Documentation for my VKK-4P says that suit was made to the specifications outlined on February 1 1961. Most probably this is the date when either first VKK-4 or VKK-4P suits went into the serial production.

Overall, VKK-4P is similar to the later VKK-6M suit, but has some things that are not present on its successor. Suit is made out of the olive drab material and from the back looks just like the VKK-6 suit. When looking from the front, VKK-4P has two waist pressure tubes that are absent on later VKK-6. Just like the VKK-6, VKK-4P has numerous laces, which can be adjusted for a better fit to pilot's body.

Getting into the pressure suit is a process that requires assistance. For the suit to function properly, it needs to be finely adjusted to pilot's body - an impossible task for the pilot to achieve by himself.

It was long thought that VKK-4 suits were worn with GSh-4 helmets, but I now have information about this type of suit being used with early GSh-6 helmets in at least one of the Soviet AF units - 48 OGRAP, which was the first Soviet Reconnaissance unit to be equipped with Mig-25Rs. This unit received its VKK-4 suits and GSh-6 helmets sometime in January of 1971 ("Mir Aviazii" 3/2001, page 37).

 

VKK-4P suit carrying bag. Stamp on the bag gives the name of the suit on the first line, serial number on the second and size on the third. This stamp should be identical to the one on the suit.
Suit's documentation book.
Picture of the forward torso portion of the suit. Note two pressure tubes in the waist area.
Suit's nomenclature - it's identical to the stamp on the carrying bag.
Yet another close up shot on the forward torso part of the suit. Note waist tubes and zipper underneath them- I cannot image any pilot going to the bathroom with the suit on, so probably it was made for "emergencies" during long flights.
Upper back part of the suit - it is similar to the VKK-6.
Lower back part of the suit.
VKK-4P suit from the back.
VKK-4P suit from the front.