[USER=8925]BH-51512[/USER] you bring up a great point on the PP3 helmet. I did not even think to look at that one, and we all know they were painted to be identical.
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I don't think there's any denying the PP3 RF stalk has no "rust" stains on the inside and back side just how I hypothesized the ESB did. If they were painted identically, it would provide an at least plausible explanation for the missing weathering. If it really is missing on both helmets (which I really believe it is), then it's obviously intentional.
Another piece of evidence that it was added later on is that the painting style is quite different. If it is even paint at all. [USER=102]Jango Fett Jr[/USER] suggested it may even be the same case as the gross black slime on the left side of the SE helmet, or any other additional grime the helmet has taken on over the years. Notice on both the ESB and PP3 stalks, the present weathering is very spotty, extremely fine, and a rusty brown color. The inside weathering on the SE helmet however is splotchy, thicker, and nearly black.
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You can also see similarly colored grime on the bottom of the perspex block. In any case, if we are to believe the rangefinder looked anything like that during production of ESB, we would expect to see at least a hint of it on the Executor Bridge. Especially since immediately in the next cut we see hints of the super fine weathering.
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The other side of the stalk is in shadow too, so it's a perfect time to see the stalk without it being overexposed, but there's nothing there. I just can't see any other way this could be unless the ESB stalk is painted the same way as the PP3, with weathering on the front and outside.
As for the swapped stalk theory, it's certainly plausible, but I feel the PP3 weathering is a bit too light compared to what we see in the cockpit scene for example.
This whole thing is so confusing. Why would they paint extra weathering on two sides of the rangefinder long after filming had ended. I think the grime theory holds up in that regard.
Oh man, I don't know why I get so much joy out of being a part of discussions like this! We are the ones doing the most important research.
