Heya guys,
Well, a couple of things. The mod isn't for the faint of heart. Spending this much money on a prop, just to have to do *this*, is quite disturbing.
Some of you have asked me in PM about how the mod would affect the over-all shape of the helmet (compared to MF /RS helmet for instance) as it lines up very well to his. I'm sure this question has been asked because you've probably figured out by now, it takes a cut to fix this reasonably.
My opinion in the matter is this. I think it is reasonable.
This goes back to the pics that Brak's Buddy posted of the comparison between the MF helmet, and the MR. And this is quite "breathy", so get a cup of coffee, or some popcorn, or something
the first thing that should be noted, is that the MR that was compared to the MF helmet casting, was to my understanding, a recast of an MR *Prototype*. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But my observations in that pictorial would tell me that it was an *early* version of the MR because of the following reasons ...
1. the dent on the raw MR that was compared to the MF had a VERY crisp dent, in contrast to the production pieces that we are receiving. This is a little upsetting to me. Because, no matter what mods you make to the production version, that is simply not correctible.
2. The whole rear of the the MR production, pooches out backwards much more than the MR that was compared to the MF. If you look at the pics again, the rear of the MR that was compared to the MF was much closer to the MF casting. This simply cannot be attributed to "squishing" the helmet from side to side either, as the MF and the earlier MR that was compared to it are nearly identical in flare from a frontal perspective.
3. The dome of the MR production is also different than the MR that was compared to the MF. The production version is more rounded like a *mystery helmet*, rather than more sloped upward from the band to the top of the dome on the non RF side of the MF dome ( which is obviously not a camera angle or perspective, as these two helmets were compared side by side, and the angles didn't lie). Even the MR that was compared to the MF is more rounded than the MF, but not to the degree that the production versions that we are receiving are.
There are more differences that I've picked up on, but it would take all night long
The point I'm trying to illustrate is this.
The MR production helmet has seen a few obvious changes since it's prototype stage. When you consider that the MF helmet is the closest helmet anyone will ever handle to an ILM helmet, and the early MR that was compared to the MF was much closer in many respects to his than the production version, this tells me that we're dealing with castings that no one will be able to *fix* 100%, because these differences were most likely implemented in the 3d modeling stages, rather than a simple molding and casting malady. The reason i take this stance, is that in order to correct the above mentioned maladies, the helmet structure would have to be cut on different levels. My analogy for what went wrong in the 3d modeling would be almost as if you were to take a rubber casting of an ILM helmet, and pull it in one direction or another, and the *freeze* it in a particular spot, you've just altered the overall shape of the helmet at a physical, structural level. It can distort it in every respect, hence why the visor is *pinched*, an the only way to make it appear right, is to make a structural modification. Just removing the visor, or dabbing a little bondo on it -- won't even come close to fixing this.
Granted, some may throw out the argument that it is because although all helmets originated from the same molds, slight differences from helmet to helmet can be blamed on visor installation, how the helmet was pulled form the mold, ect. Whereas I *agree* with this whole heartedly in general, I don't however, agree that is what happened here. Simply because the early MR proto that was compared to the MF .. was much closer to the MF, and the production version is not. Which means, they nearly had it ... in that stage, it could have been a simple *visor install* malady, or *casting difference form the same mold* ... not enough of a difference to really bat an eyelash over. But since production, something went wrong. Too many structural differences/nuances from the earlier versions.
The bottom line is, I don't think that this helmet is waht we were all hoping it would be. If it were as close to the MF as the early MR was that was compared to it, I wouldn't be changing a thing
As far as the mod to help the squint look better goes ( back tot he original question) ... it does alter the appearance of the helmet .... FOR THE BETTER.
It doesn't change the profile, it doesn't change the height of the non RF earcap mounting area. Because of the location of the cut, it really only pulls the top part of the visor up to where it needs to be to flex it back into position, and not much else. This is because out of a 6 inch cut, the first 2 inches moves up a negligible amount, and every other inch after that moves even less, because of the law of physics .. the farther away from the origin, the less it's affected the further back from the cut you get. If that makes any sense
The point, is that it changes nothing that would be of an concern, even to a purist IMO. BUT - it's a moot point. Because my ultimate point to all of this is ... the production helmet is already altered. Obviously not as much as say, an *MH*. But still altered. So when you get right down to it, any modifications to correct anything on this thing, would be subjective, or left up to interpretation. In other words, you can mess up something, if it's already messed up
If it's done right, it only further improves the appearance of the helmet for the better. IF IT'S DONE RIGHT
To make the mod, you have to cut about a 4 or 5 inch straight line, from the middle of the squint on that side, through the ear pad, and into the visor band of the rear. Just a deremel blade width. This allows the whole mandible to *float* ever so slightly, whilst you put it in the proper position. It's almost like there is too much material in there right at the squint, which is why it was so wide in production. It's not simply how it was trimmed by the ILM guys vs. another casting. Because if that were the case, all you would have to do is add a little material in there to tighten up the squint. And if you did that to an MR production, it would throw off the thickness of the painted visor area on the top and the bottom, and look WRONG
SO it has to be physically altered. And again, it's not for the faint of heart. I mean, it's not hard to do, but it is hard to stomach after paying that much for something. And you have to also consider, that to make the repair, you need to fiberglass repair that area. That gets even more complex, because you have to remove the interior lining (at least mostly), and you have to grind out the hot glue to get to nice fiberglass for the repair to adhere to, ect, ect, ect. THEN, you have to repaint the area that has been cut through. And that just plain SUCKS. It will never quite look the same to most people. I really don't think that most of you are going to want to take that chance. So do it at your OWN risk, I don't want to be held responsible, because as with anything, this is supposed to be informative, but is still just an opinion. It is up to you to decide if you agree with what I've said here, by doing your own research, and making a comfortable decision for yourself.
And on one last note - yes, I *did* try a heat gun to correct this first. And unfortunately, as I stated above, there is just too much material at the squint area (the part that makes it too wide). No matter what, some of that needs to be removed.
Personally, I'm not going to bother with the repair anymore. I'm just going to make a copy of the thing for myself with *my* desired modifications. Again, if it's done right and looks the way its supposed to, it really can't be argued against accuracy, because it isn't accurate to begin with
I would really like to remove the lip from the inside of the mandibles as well but after sizing up the flush of the face of the mandibles one would need to take down the inside of the brow as well...and that just might be a deal breaker for me. Could you address this issue Chris if you have a moment?
I think this is by far the easiest thing you can do to this helmet. As there are no cuts through the paint on the outside, and nothing that can't be concealed once you put the lining back in. Just keep in mind that the lining should be removed, because grinding that lip out will get REALLY messy. it's totally do-able bro. Just use a sanding drum on your dremel and take your time. The only way you're going to hurt anything is if you go too deep. But if you use the outter edge as a depth guid, you'll be just fine. If I hadn't already taken mine to the degree I have, I would make this mod, and put it back together and call it good
And finally, I think that the only way we're going to get as close tot he early MR that was compared to the MF, is for someone to make those particular castings available
I hope this helps in some way. I'd like to address it in further detail, but I simply just don't have the time, after seeing what this thing is all about, I'm just sort of disappointed :facepalm
:cheers
FP
