ZSh-7, Soviet Flight Helmet for the 1980's to present day.

Helmet types and designations - overview:
  • ZSh-7 - original version, replaces the ZSh-5A
  • ZSh-7A - first upgrade.  No external difference 
  • ZSh-7AP - fitted for the Sh-3UM1 target designator (the same mount is also used for night vision goggles).  This resulted in a bracket mounted front and center.  Additional rivets were added on the right side (as you look at the helmet from the front)
  • ZSh-7AN - unsure what this helmet may be.  Externally, it looks like a ZSh-7A.  Possibly only internal electronics improvements.
  • ZSh-7APN - again, not sure of the improvement over the -7AP.  Possibly electronics improvements over the -7A with the addition of the Sh-3UM1 mounting bracket.
  • ZSh-7V - I have not seen the tag showing this designation, but believe this to be the ZSh-7 with an external boom microphone.  This would be used by helo pilots, as well as the Su-25 (I've heard) - does not allow for an O-2 mask.
 Other notes on designations:  Changing the visor color does not change the helmet designation.  Visor colors for the ZSh-7 series are only charcoal and the one rose-variant that I've seen.  

Visually: the ZSh-7 series has five external holes along the top to cut down wind resistance during ejection.  There are two bayonet receivers for O-2 mask reception inside the shell.  The visor retracts internally.
Here is a standard ZSh-7 with the KM-34 O-2 mask.  Note the five breather vents in the top. The dark visor recedes into the helmet (the first major improvement over the ZSh-5).  The bracket that the O-2 mask connects into is on the inside of the helmet.  This prevents the excess stress that was put on the helmet with the bracket on the outside (this caused cracking on the wings of the ZSh-5).  Inside the ZSh-7 is a complete leather skeleton with velcro.  Leather ear pads are on the integrated earphones.  An additional leather pad is velcro'ed on the upper front of the helmet to cushion the forehead.  At the top of the helmet is a cloth pad velcro'ed onto the leather structure.  And finally, at the back of the helmet is a bladder connected to the oxygen mask.  This bladder fills with air when demand for oxygen increases, pressing the pilot's mouth and nose more tightly into the mask  Both of these helmets use the throat microphone when the KM-34 mask is used.
Here is a ZSh-7A on the left and a ZSh-7AP on the right.  You'll see where I've highlighted a couple differences.  Of course, there is the bracket on the front of the ZSh-7AP for the Sh-3UM-1 Target Designator system.  Here, the bracket is removed and only a trio of female screw mounts remain.  There are also two additional screws on the left side of the helmet.  These are to guide the cable that leads from the Sh-3UM-1 to the connector at the back of the cockpit.

This is a ZSh-7A that was upgraded to the AP model. It was a well-used helmet meaning that it served both roles well and for a long time...
Here's a good example of the ZSh-7A.

This view shows the inside leather skeleton with various pads velcro'ed in.

Here is a very unique item.  This is a ZSh-7A, from the factory with a cammie netting over top of the white shell.  The netting was put on the helmet before the rivets were put in place.  Look at the close up below.  This is a low-tech answer to the white helmet problem.  I would have to assume that this type helmet was then used in the Su-25/Frogfoot (ground attack aircraft), as well as in ground attack helicopters.

The camouflage is actually just a tightly woven cammie netting.  You can see the pristine white of the helmet glistening beneath.  This helmet is now in the collection of Gunnery Sergeant Tien Nguyen, USMC.
   

Here is a ZSh-7AP with all the accessories. Note the two different skull caps.  The white one (just to the right of the helmet) is for the summer and the long blue one is for the winter. The mask is the KM-34D series II.

The summer issue hood (skull cap) issued with the ZSh-7A.

The winter issue hood (skull cap) issued with the ZSh-7A.

 
Here's another complete set.  Note that this winter hood is white (and the material seemed to be cotton and not synthetic like the blue one above).  It still has the tell-tale tag.  This set was a very nice collection that drew over $400 on E-bay.

This is a very unique ZSh-7AP.  The glass is a reddish-violet and was intended ostensibly as laser protection for the pilot.  Yet another modification of the ZSh-7 series.  I've only seen or heard of one of these, although I'm sure there are more.
  Conversion notes for the ZSh-7 (or for the ZSh-3 or -5) for civial aviation.  All you need to do is get an impedance matching adapter or replace the speakers and mic.  The voltage requirements of Russian communications is 28 volt, which doesn't quite match, so the best option is simply having the microphone and earphones replaced. If they are anything like US stuff the conversion is easy if you are willing to pay the price.  FSL sells just such a convertor for $100.00.  Try Mason Electronics at www.mason-electric.com and see what they can do for you.  US DOD Mil Spec is 150 ohm whereas civilian stuff is 300.

Purchaser tips:

The outside shell of the helmet weathers wear very well.  It shouldn't have any scratches or gouges.  There may be a name stenciled onto it - this is normal.  The first place that you'll see heavy wear is on the inside part where the parts velcro'ed to the  leather cradle contacts the pilot's skin.  These will discolor, come apart, or simply be missing from the helmet.  Also look for any excessive wear on the brackets.

 The lowest end ZSh-7A helmets can draw around $250.  A brand new model with all the accessories and a KM-34D Series II or KM-35 mask could cost upwards of $500.
Usage:

The ZSh-7A can be used in almost any Soviet/Russian high-performance aircraft - MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, Su-17/20/22, Su-27, and Su-35.  And now the use of these helmets has expanded - I've even seen them used in commercial Russian helicopters.