Chinese Flying Gear
This is a Chinese TK-2A flying helmet with a YM-6505 pressure-demand oxygen mask, standard equipment for Chinese fast-jet pilots for many years (it appears to have entered service in the '80s) but now being replaced by newer designs. The TK-2A is also compatible with the Russian KM-32 mask and has Russian-type electronics connectors. Normally a throat microphone is used (not shown here) as there is no provision for a mask microphone in the YM-6505. The YM-6505 combines features of the Chinese diluter-demand YM-6502 mask (itself apparently developed from the Russian KM-16), the KM-32 and the US MBU-5. It is compatible with any helmet that can be used with the KM-32, in any aircraft that has Russian-type oxygen connections. North Korean J-6/MiG-19 pilots have been photographed using the YM-6505 with Russian ZSh-3 helmets.
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In the cockpit.
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With boom microphone. |
With helmet-mounted sight. |
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Lack of a visor cover identifies this helmet as the TK-2C, which appears to have been used primarily by the PLANAF. |
With PLZT-type anti-flash goggles for nuclear operations.
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Blue flightsuits may be the norm. |
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"Yes, I know I'm cool." |
Ramp briefing. |
Orange flightsuits aren't seen very often, and may indicate elite status. |
Top photo by Michael R. Little. The rest were from Chinese publications and websites such as PLA Daily, Warbird Scan and Aeronautical Knowledge, most by way of the China-Defense Forum .
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The
TK-2, predecessor to the TK-2A. Note KM-32 (or YM-6504) mask and partial-pressure
suit on the pilot to the left. From the December 1974 (left) and
November 1980 (right) issues of Aeronautical Knowledge
(courtesy Andy Chan, posted on China-Defense Forum). Below is a Chinese YM-6504 mask, a direct copy of the Russian KM-32, which was also issued. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Carey) |
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Russian ZSH-7 helmets with helmet-mounted sight and KM-34 model 2 or KM-35 masks. Worn by PLAAF Su-27 crews. This is now manufactured in Chinas as the TK-12. Left from Chinese Military Aviation website, right from "top81bbs." |
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The
TK-1 partial-pressure helmet. Consensus is that person on the right is more
likely to be a model than a fighter pilot! (Left photo from PLA Daily,
right photo from Top81 by way of China-Defense Forum [CDF].) |
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The
TK-1 has been replaced by the TK-4, which has some features of the Russian
GSh-6 and others reminiscent of British designs. Note mask; this is placed
over the nose and mouth when clear visor is closed, and prevents fogging by
exhausting exhaled air outside the helmet. Left photo shows both TK-4 and
TK-1 together. Below are green and orange versions of the accompanying
pressure suit. (CDF) |
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Chinese
flight gear from the 2002 Zhuhai exhibit. Helmet to the left is probably a
TK-10 or -11, which appear to mix TK-2A and Russian ZSh-7 features. The mask
is a YM-6, which seems to have been influenced by the Russian KM-35 and US
MBU-12. Mask has Russian-style bayonet connections. The set on the right is
similar in appearance but has US-style bayonets. (From CDF.) Helmets and mask photos below are from a sales brochure kindly provided by Mr. T. Wang, who picked it up at the exhibit. |
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All
masks at right have an integral microphone instead of the traditional throat
mic. |
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Notice
that the YM-12 (at left) has an uncompensated exhaust valve, for applications
where pressure breathing is not required.
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The helmet at right is
identified as the TK-21 but is quite similar to the TK-11, and the mask is a
YM-9. Both are pale gray. (Quianlong by way of Andy Chan.) |
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Chinese
female transport (Y-7) pilots with headsets. One on the left is wearing what
looks like a Russian GSShch-A-18 headset, while
the one on the right has what appears to be a Chinese design. A slightly older model headset - which may no longer be in
service - uses a throat microphone. (From Newsphoto and Xinhua by way of
China-Defense Forum.) |
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Chinese leather helmets. May still be used
for training in aircraft such as the CJ-6. Actually a very practical item of
equipment, especially in cold weather. Left top is a model 1977 "four
seasons wear" (fur-lined) helmet with YM-6502 diluter demand oxygen
mask, which was developed from the Russian KM-16. Below it is a model 1961 "four
seasons wear" helmet with the five-point connection for a KM-24 or
KM-30-type pressure demand mask. Examples at right are probably model 1983
summer helmets, which are lined with cloth instead of fur. The
"bumper" on top is something of a puzzle - on the Russian helmets
it was designed to fit in a slot inside the ZSh-3 hardshell, but Chinese helmets differ from Russian models
primarily in color (brown instead of black) and the size of the earphone
housings - Chinese are smaller. Also, throat microphones are normally covered
in brown instead of white leather and snaps are embossed with a star. Notice the ring on the forehead of the helmet at right (covered on the example to the top left by goggles): although there appears to be no technical reason the matching mask connector can't be installed on the YM-6502, I've never seen one so equipped. But every leather Chinese helmet I've examined (except for one designed for use with the KM-32/YM-6504) has had that forehead attachment. Left photos by Michael R. Little, right is from PLA Daily. |
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New
helicopter helmet, designation unknown. From PLA Daily and
Xinhua. |
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The YM6512 demand-diluter oxygen mask, most closely associated
with K-8/JL-8 trainers and used here with the TK-2A helmet (also used, with bayonet connectors, on the TK-10/11).
Notice from the photo on the left that the interior is rubber instead of being lined with suede. From Aeronautical Knowledge by way of
the China-Defense Forum. |
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