Suddenly, I found the information that USSR army, just before World War 2 developed electronic head-mounted infra-red night-vision goggles for tank crew! It is not exactly a virtual reality subject, but nevertheless it’s early days of electronic HMD’s in Soviet Union.
In 1993-1940 years infra-red goggles “Ship” and “Dudka” were tested by crews of BT-7 light tanks. “Ship” was developed by national optics institute and Moscow institute of glass. Device included: infra-red periscope goggles, and additional accessories for driving machinery during night.
![Ship Ship](https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Ship.jpg&nocache=1)
Ship – Infra Red Night Vision Goggles
Upgraded version “Dudka” had field tests during June 1940, and after in January – February 1941. Device included: infra-red periscope goggles for tank driver, and crew commander, two infra-red beamers (by 1 Kilowatt each, 140 millimeters diameter each), control unit, separate IR signal beamer, cables and accessories for goggles.
![Dudka Dudka](https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Dudka.jpg&nocache=1)
Dudka – Another Infra Red Night Vision System From Pre-War USSR
![BT-7, light tank BT-7, light tank](https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Tank-300x169.jpg&nocache=1)
BT-7, light tank
Goggles weight (without helmet-mounting) 750 gram, FOV – 24 degree, seeing distance at night – 50 meters. These devices approved all specifications of Red Army, but because of bulky construction design, usability issues, especially during winter-time, goggle construction needed additional development, which wasn’t made because of World War 2.
![Tank Driver Wearing Dudka Tank Driver Wearing Dudka](https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/infrarot_3.jpg&nocache=1)
Tank Driver Wearing Dudka
Research and development continued after WWII.
![IR_Goggles IR_Goggles](https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://vrtifacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IR_Goggles.jpg&nocache=1)
Upgraded, early after-war version of IR goggles (IKN-8) for T-34 tank crew
Read the whole story in English or the original Russian.