The ShL/Z-50, ShL/Z-78, and ShL/Z-82 leather helmets
for use separately, or under the ZSh-3 outer shell

There are a number of different variations in these helmets.  I thought it best to list them, then look at them in their individual categories.
  • ShL-50 - summer variant, no alignment pad, no occipital bladder, goggle straps
  • ShLO-50 - summer variant with mesh top, goggle straps.
  • ShZ-50 - winter variant, no alignment pad, no occipital bladder, goggle straps, dog hair lining
  • ShL-61 - summer variant, alignment pad added, space for a bladder, fewer straps
  • ShZ-61 - winter variant, alignment pad added, space for a bladder, fewer straps, dog hair lining
  • ShL-78 - summer variant with thin leather, upgrade, alignment pad, bladder attachment, new O-2 clips
  • ShLO-78 mesh - summer variant with the mesh top.  Note the designation of "O" for the mesh top variant.  This possibly stands for "otkrytiy", meaining "open"
  • ShZ-78 - winter variant, upgrade, alignment pad, bladder attachment, new O-2 clips, sheepskin inside instead of dog hair
  • ShL-82 - summer variant, newer model
  • ShLO-82 mesh - summer variant, hot weather variant with mesh top for extra ventilation
  • ShZ-82 - winter variant, newer model
 It is important to note that the visual differences between the -78 and the -82 are non-existent.  Also note that the -50 and -61 do not have nomenclature on the tag inside the helmet or anywhere on the helmet.   

The early models of the ShL/Z-50 were worn only with the KM-15 oxygen masks.  Later models (late 1950's to early 1960's) had clip mounts added to accept the KM-16 mask.  When the top pad was added in order to marry the leather helmet with the ZSh-3 protective shell, then the nomenclature changed to ShL or ShZ-61.


Sorry - I had to pull this picture as it was not mine.  As soon as I have one to replace it, this picture will reappear. This is a superb look at the original ShL-50.  It does not have the alignment pad on top.  It has straps that keep the goggles (either the PO-1M "bug-eyes" above or the square clear-lens goggles below).  I found nomenclature on the square goggles to suggest that they are called "Ya-89".  Also, the helmet below is an ShZ-50 (see the fur on the inside) with the KM-32 AG O-2 mask.  This mask is the exact same style as the KM-32, but it has the smaller clips for attaching to the ShL/Z-50 helmet.  This helmet was not worn under a ZSh-3

Look at the two wires that come out of the ShZ-50 helmet.  These are exactly the same across all four of the helmet version (-50, -61, -78, and -82).  The round plug with four male connectors on the inside is the plug that connects to the cockpit's communications console.  The other plug with the two female connectors is for the throat mike (Laringofon in Russian or nomenclature La-3) or the mask microphone.  You'll see both these exact connectors in all Soviet helmets - right up to the ZSh-9.


Look at this helmet above.  It is cloth but has the exact same strap configuration found on the ShL-50.  It has the exact same twin side-clip arrangement.  This helmet is made specifically for use with the KM-30 oxygen mask.  This mask has twin straps and is the first with the occipital bladder connection.

The first of this type of helmet was introduced in the 1940's and were based on the German design from WWII.  It can be worn both with and without a helmet.  These helmets were used by all jet pilots through the ages.  With the coming of the GSh-6 and the ZSh-5 protective helmets, some aircraft were configured uniquely for these (the MiG-25, MiG-31, MiG-29, and Su-27 have not seen the leather helmets).  But all other aircraft in the Soviet inventory have.  For example, the latest propeller aircraft following WWII saw their crews wear these and the earliest jets, starting with the MiG-15, then the MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, etc. With the introduction of helicopters, the crews wore these exclusively (without the ZSh-3 shell) (all the Mil helicopters, as well as the Kamov-produced birds).  By Afghanistan, the Hind pilots realized they needed a little more protection and the ZSh-3b (ballistic titanium layer over a ZSh-3, then painted green) was constructed.  Modern bomber crews will wear either The -78 or the -82 by itself.  This gives them something to keep their head warm, but most importantly, it connects them with the communications system of the aircraft.

Besides the summer and winter versions of these helmets, there are four separate variants.  First is the true ShL or ShZ-50 (L is for summer and Z is for winter on the nomenclature).  This is the only of these type that does not have an alignment pad on top.  In conjunction with the fact that the O-2 mask clips are not compatible with those of the KM-32, this confirms that the original ShL/Z-50 was not used with the ZSh-3 protective shell.  Later versions of the ShL/Z-50 that had the alignment pad, also had the different clips for the newer O-2 mask.

Also note the forehead clip that is for the nose-bridge clip on the oxygen mask.  Neither of the masks shown here have that piece, but the helmet is equipped for it.  The clip was an additional measure against the mask slipping down.

 

The back side of the ShL-50 with mesh top.  You can see that it is exactly the same as the helmet shown below (ShZ-50), except for the mesh top.  It has no provision for an occipital bladder.  The communications package for this helmet is the standard twin cable.  The dual female plug is for the throat microphone and the round plug with four nipples inside which connects inside the cockpit.

On this helmet, you'll note the rust on almost all the metal parts.  The clips for the oxygen mask are aluminum and consequently will not be rusty.  The elasticity has gone out of the straps on the side.  This is just a sample to fill a gap, but is not a real museum piece.

 Here is a shot of the rare ShL-50 with the mesh top.  This particular helmet's tag is so worn, that the date and any information is unreadable. However, this helmet is from the 1950's.

You'll see that it has the forehead clip for the O-2 mask - especially the KM-30.  The KM-32 has the proper nose clip, but only has a single clip for the O-2 mask.

 




There is no nomenclature on this tag.  It is from the ShL-61.

 This is the ShL-61.  Note the strap on top that goes under the alignment pad.  The pad was added after the upgrade had already been designed.  It was simply adapted after the fact.  

Look at the back side of this helmet.  You'll see that it has two straps that have a single snap-down each.  These are simply to hold the goggle strap in place.  There are no additional snaps.  This is also an important difference between this and the ShL/Z-78 or -82.  The later helmets have a space between the helmet liner and the leather outer where an occipital bladder is located.  This pressure bladder is connected to the oxygen mask by means of a tube with a quick twist connector.  When the oxygen demand increases, the bladder fills with air, pressing the pilot's mouth more tightly into the mask.  The ShL/Z-50 and 61 does not have this capability (in either variant).

The ShL-61 (summer variant - L in the nomenclature) has a fire-resistant material on the inside of the helmet.  It feels almost like a polyester.  The outer is leather on all versions.  

The ShZ-50 (winter variant - Z as last letter of nomenclature) has a most interesting fur lining.  It is dog hair.  You can see examples both above and below.  This is allegedly some of the warmest fur that can be had and the most durable.  It also is moisture resistant.  

The ShL/Z-50's were made in a number of different locations.  None of the tags actually state the nomenclature of the helmet, simply when it was made, where it was made, and the size.  The example to the left was made in Rostonkinskiy Fur Factory, City of Moscow, 1957 and it is a size 58.

An ShZ-61 from the side - there is no visual difference between this and an ShZ-78, especially since the chin strap has been updated.
Back view of the ShZ-61 and below a look at the front and then detail of the tag.

 Here is an ShZ-61 that has probably been upgraded at some point in its life.  It has the dog hair inside for winter warmth and space for the occipital bladder.  It appears like a modern ShZ-78/82 except for the tag which indicates it was originally manufactured much earlier.  Thanks to Mike Cox for the pictures of this fine collectible.


This has the twin strap arrangement that looks custom made for the KM-30 oxygen mask.  Note the tag below - again, no helmet designation nomenclature.

 Here's another view of an ShZ-50.  

The bottom picture shows the dog hair used for insulation.  It also shows a new look for the factory's label.  Again, the Rostokinskiy Fur Factory, Moscow, 1958.  This helmet was size 59, I believe.  

I haven't wet one of these helmets in order to see what they smell like.  As everyone knows, the smell of a wet dog is quite unique...

 





This is a fine example of an ShL-78 or an -82.  You can see the O-2 mask clip (this is different and larger than that on the ShL/Z-50.  You can see that the helmet has become streamlined.  There are only a single extra strap on the back to hold the goggles in place.  Note the four additional snaps.  These snap into their mates that are punched into the inner lining (the part that goes against the pilot's head).  There is a space between the outer leather and inner lining where an occipital bladder can be snapped in.  Helicopter pilots don't use this capability, but jet pilots do.  

This helmet was used in a helicopter or bomber and without the ZSh-3 protective helmet shell and the bladder.  The reason I say this is because the lower rear of the helmet does not have any wear on the edges and there is only a single chin strap.  

The bladder never seems to fit exactly into one of these helmets and the air hose that comes out of it is fairly large.  This creates some friction at the edges of the leather.  You'll see some cracking, fraying, or even tearing because of this.  To the right is a picture of the bladder itself.  This one only has two snap connectors - it is probably a smaller size to fit a smaller helmet.

The chin strap is a double-strap if the helmet is used with the ZSh-3.  The ZSh-3 does not have a chin strap of its own.  The leather inner helmet has the strap that connects to both the left and right lower wings of the ZSh-3.  At the bottom is a picture of the second chin strap.  These, of course, should match.  The helmet above has the green strap, so it would have a dual green strap if it were in use with the ZSh-3.  

At the very bottom, you see the throat microphone, La-3.  It has the twin male connector plug that attaches to the communications equipment of the leather helmet.  This is how the pilot communicated.

 

Here's what the entire ShL-78 or -82 looks like when mated with the ZSh-3.  It is difficult to see the black straps on the ShL-78.  The strap is sewn onto the right side of the helmet (left as you look at it from the front).  There is one connector on the primary strap that attaches to the other side of the ShL-78.  Then, on the second strap (which is pinned to the first in the middle of the two straps), there are connectors on both ends and you can readily see them attached to the ZSh-3 shell here.  Note the occipital bladder connector at the bottom side of the KM-32 O-2 mask.  This connector is not attached to a bladder, for some reason, although it should be.  This configuration was never used without the bladder and the throat microphone.  

Here's the ShL-78 opened to view.  It has all the characteristics in plain view.  The twin chin strap, occipital bladder, alignment pad and forehead strap.  How can you tell this from an ShL-82?  Good question.  Another point is that the dates of production overlap.  ShL/Z-78's were made into the mid 1980's.  ShL/Z-82's first came into being around 1982.  So, you can have an ShL-82 that is dated before an ShL-78 (the latest date I've seen on a -78 is 1986). 

Here's an ShL-78 summer version with the mesh upper.  Note how the top strap appears to revert back to the ShL-50 model where it goes underneath the alignment pad.  This is not the ShL-50.  Note the KM-32 clips and the twin chin strap.

Also, it is difficult to see, but there are the two straps in the back along with the four snaps for the occipital bladder.
Here's a pair of side views of the ShZ-82.  You can see from these views that there is a single strap in the back for the goggle strap.  It has the twin chin strap setup and the occipital bladder already contained within.

 

Here's the best view of the ShL/Z-78.  You'll note on this version that the snaps on the lower part are a little rusty.  These were not made using the highest quality materials.  Also note how the bladder "fits" into this helmet.  These are very common problems in these helmets.  I believe that this helmet is actually an ShL-78.  But there is no external difference between it and an ShL-82.

Here's an example of an ShZ-82 with the KM-32.  It has the nose-bridge clip to keep the mask from sliding down.  It has the dual chin strap.  It has the occipital bladder attachment.

This is the latest addition to the web site - the hot weather variant of the summer ShL-82, the ShLO-82, as provided by Sandro, from Italy. The tag clearly shows the designation of the leather helmet.
Technical Details:

These leather helmets come in sizes from 53 to 62.  

  

Purchaser tips:

These are generally plentiful and can be had on the cheap.  There shouldn't be any extensive wear of the leather as this is very durable.  Discoloration of the leather is only caused by sitting out in the sun - which means that helmet has been hanging off a vendor's stand on the Arbat in Moscow for far too long.  There might be some rust, but don't buy one if there is too much.  There also may be some oxidation on the connectors for the chin strap.  This happens when the helmet is either stored in a humid location or left out on a vendor's stand too long.  A little is common - don't buy one if there is a lot.  The soft sheepskin on the forehead and earphones may be discolored, even with minimal use.  This is not a problem.  Make sure that the snaps all snap tightly, although most times, only two or three of the bladder snaps can actually be snapped into place.

Also, if there isn't a twin chin strap, this doesn't change the value of the helmet.  The single straps were used without a ZSh-3 shell.  That's all.  It doesn't mean that the helmet is defective.

 An ShL or Z-50 that is made in the 1950's is worth about $75 (maybe more) simply because it is old and they are generally in very good condition (simply made better during that time).

An ShL or Z-78 can be had for about $50, less for one of the rusted or discolored versions.  A mesh variant is uncommon and could draw about $75 if in good condition.