Black series XWing Pilot helmet up for pre-order on Amazon

[Peacefrog35]

I will be installing my real ear pads this weekend. I will post updates. I did a test for and they feel comfy enough...if anything they keep a tighter fit on my head.

 

[vader45]

well you could just put the strap back the way it was and then swivel the mic into the helmet and hide it and be Luke running around Hoth. That would be movie accurate except for the raised visor.

View attachment 1073335

btw, it’s not hitting your nose because you are wearing it tilted back too far. You should not be exposing so much forehead. Go back and look at other pictures of Luke wearing his helmet and how far down it is on his brow.

You're right on the placement the top pad holds the helmet that high on me. And at that hight the bottom rubs on the jacket collar making it hard to turn my head. I can try wearing it with out the top pad to see if it's worse or better.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

You're right on the placement the top pad holds the helmet that high on me. And at that hight the bottom rubs on the jacket collar making it hard to turn my head. I can try wearing it with out the top pad to see if it's worse or better.

just pivot it forward once you put it on. It will raise the back of the helmet up in the process.

 

[vader45]

just pivot it forward once you put it on. It will raise the back of the helmet up in the process.

Thank you.

 

[Kal Argos]

So i might be late to the show on xwing helmet padding. Ive looked into this since i got my DHPFX helmet to tighten the fit and found this site:

Xwing Helmet padding |

They make these... maybe just get the ear cups?

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Is "aweful-er" a word? Because I really think it applies here. Most of your posting is just rambling and not really making logical case to support your argument,

Ouch. Close to twenty years I've seen you around the internet and never felt that denigrated by you. I try to be cogent in my posts, but to include references and clarify points they turn into mini-essays that hardly anyone bothers to read (and then often ask questions answered in said posts a few posts later). I try to dial it back to more concise -- but not so concise a rebuttal as "well, you're just stupid!" -- and I get replies like yours. Can't win. *sigh*

By the way, the novelization and radio drama have a lot of contradictory info to the movie and therefore you can't really use them as support because you can't pick and choose what is and is what is not canon from the material.

Problematic. The movies have contradictory info about each other. There's a lot of contradictory stuff in the old EU, too -- with itself and with the films. I tend to treat stuff in late-draft scripts and deleted scenes as "part of the story unless/until contradicted". Even more, often, than ancillary works like comics or novels. The bit in the final-draft ROTJ script where Obi-Wan refers to Owen as his brother? Out thanks to AOTC. Another filmed-but-cut scene in ESB, where Yoda tosses a metal bar in the air for Luke to hit with his lightsaber, I treat as still part of the canon, even though it wasn't in the final cut of the movie.

The bit about Luke testing on simulators after Biggs vouches for him is like the Obi-Wan line -- in the script, but ultimately not filmed. But it's not contradicted and has since been picked up by several sources. So I have no problem including it. Such deleted scenes tend to show where the writer's head is at, moreso than ancillary works that create material whole-cloth.

It is ridiculous to have a squadron of rookies and a different squadron of higher qualified pilots. You would want to mix them together. That is just common sense. Otherwise you are basically just sending lambs to slaughter.

As far as I know, all branches of the military still have training squadrons. If you're a big organization like the Empire, you can keep the new pilots safe behind the lines while they learn what they're doing. The Rebellion is very much not a formal, well-equipped and well-supported military. Besides a few simulators, I don't see much option for Rebel pilots to learn the skill besides on-the-job. A bit more like WWI than modern air warfare -- they throw you in the plane after a few lessons on controls and such and hope you live through your first mission. It also makes sense to hold them in high cover, where they're out of the furball and less likely to get confused and shoot a friendly craft or slam into the space station because they lost track of their position in space. Put them in a more veteran squadron and they're more likely to be a liability for a few sorties than a benefit, a buffer period the Rebels really can't afford. There's real-world precedent, but citing it all would probably be a few more paragraphs, and I'm trying to keep my essaying under control.

New helmet vs used helmet. What is the big mystery here? Sure, there might be some pilots in these squadrons that have been flying a long time, and they may have their own helmets, maybe even before joining the rebellion. But there are probably a lot of pilot, no matter with a lot of experience or not that do not have helmets and when they join the rebellion, get issued a helmet. They are not going to be a system for issuing helmets, they are simply going to give them one that fits based on what is available. The Rebels are going to use whatever helmets they can get a hold of. Stuff donated by other planets who support the alliance (new and used), maybe some pilots who died in ground attacks when they were not in flight gear, etc... I think we can believe Luke got the helmet he did because it fit on his head. Maybe he wanted a new one but they did not have any his size or maybe even some of other experienced pilots wanted new helmets and traded in their old beat up helmets and those helmets got reissued to people like Biggs and Luke who recently joined up.

No problem. So why didn't any of those clean helmets have red or yellow "Rebel anchors" on them? As part of the visual storytelling they could have given Luke a clean helmet with red insignia on the visor shield and nothing else. It would have indicated his newness to the outfit. They had at least one in ESB. Most of the ANH pilots' helmets were re-used in the successive films -- including the blast shield helmet in both -- but not Biggs'. Because of the re-use (sometimes prominently) of the helmets of dead Battle of Yavin pilots, I have long presumed them to be squadron insignia from before they deserted to join the Rebellion (or even Rebel units they were with prior to ending up at Yavin IV, as Porkins' refers to, per the ancillary material). Wedge and Biggs have helmet deco that's not seen on anyone else. The meaning I give that is that they decorated their helmets themselves, to their own personal aesthetic.

Why I wish Luke's had been one of the "generic red" helmets later seen in ESB. And that when we then would have seen it next in ESB they'd added the red sides to the mohawk, the V stickers, the "comets", weathered the crap out of it... Again, visual storytelling. But the existence of generic reds alongside the generic blues, when there are group names that bear those colors, too, is telling. Also, that all the "non-generic" helmets are in Red and Gold groups. Merrick is the first Blue Group X/Y pilot we've seen with a non-generic-blue helmet. In the OT, and ANH especially, the preponderance is in favor of Blue Group being a training squadron. I apologize if "rookies" was a little glib. At least I didn't call them the Twenty-Minuters.

I still don't understand why people cannot expand their minds? Who says that the troops in the ceremony were there when the Battle of Yavin started? Why can't these pilots be reinforcements that did not arrive till after the battle. To me, it makes sense that once they realized the Death Star was on it's way, they asked for reinforcements. And now with Rogue One in the mix, it is even possible that these forces were on the way as a result of the Battle of Scarif either to try to help in the actual battle or to replenish losses from the battle.

Fair. You're right. We don't know how long passed between the Death Star blowing and the award ceremony. I figure not more than a few hours, as they needed to get the heck outta Dodge before the Empire showed up, but a lot of ships could've turned up in that time. I actually hadn't considered that possibility. I'd be curious why it was all Blue Group, though. I have other thoughts, but I'll leave it there for now.

And what about Luke's ship markings. What if Red 5 (Luke's future craft) was down and they got another X-wing marked up as 5 for the Scarif battle. What if they had recently received X-Wings from various sources and there were two X-Wings from difference sources with both Red 5 markings. What if Red 5 in the Scarif battle was a Red 4 and they added a new hash marking to make it into a 5? What if the guy who paints the markings on the X-wings is an artist and makes the new makings look weathered?

That first one I hadn't thought of. That could work. The rest start getting a little out there, but I feel it was to make your final point:

Why do you have to be so joyless and focus on why things are wrong instead of understanding how they might be right?

Very ouch. I am not remotely joyless. As I've said here and elsewhere, I have the soul of an engineer -- I have a bone-deep need to deconstruct things to see how they work and why, and then hopefully do something with any insights gained. This applies to writing and worldbuilding in fictional universes, too. I've seen RPG developers, EU authors, the 501st, Dave Filoni, one of the wardrobe guys for Rogue One, and others all misinterpret stuff in the OT. Those mistakes propegate, and I try my damndest to mitigate that damage. Never mind George changing his mind every three months about what he "always intended". I delve into the minds of people like John Mollo and learn what they're saying with the costume design choices they make and so forth. I look at real-world analogues to compare and contrast. Internal structure in a fictional world is not a frivolity -- it's an essential factor to making an internally-consistent setting, a sturdy scaffold to hang your stories on. Famously, the Silmarillion is the background notes Tolkien worked out for the Lord of the Rings.

Enough in Star Wars is problematic due to George's discomfort with writing and fondness of particular words that we're left having to figure out how to make it all work, and logically (logically within context -- not Vulcan-logical). When I put something out there, it's the best thing I've been able to come up with based on observed phenomena. If you have a counter view present it, along with why you feel yours is a better reflection of "how it really is", and I'll weigh it against what I have. You've got some points in your reply that make sense and that I hadn't previously thought of. Several have made me dig into the inquiry again, and that's brain-sweat for another time. But it's all part of the process and why it's a discussion, rather than a monologue.

Anyway. On-topic. I have two of these on order now, one to turn into the "RÆH" helmet Rey has in TFA, one to turn into an OT X-Wing pilot helmet, both for a friend for (hopefully) Christmas.

 

[TK1625]

Dak wore a generic “blue group” helmet but he’s a member of rogue squadron...but a newer member, so perhaps he hadn’t gotten around to changing it up

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Dak wore a generic “blue group” helmet but he’s a member of rogue squadron...but a newer member, so perhaps he hadn’t gotten around to changing it up

This is where we run into problems with George's overfondness of the word "group". Nowhere in the OT does anyone ever say "squadron". Prior to the battle, one of the deck officers says to another, "Groups Seven and Ten will stay behind to fly the speeders." When the battle starts, Luke is commanding the entire speeder force, being "Rogue Group". Given each speeder has a crew of two, that makes sense. Given how everyone's all jumbled up in the speeders, it's more of an ad hoc unit. Red Leader (Wedge) is Rogue 3. Red 5 (Luke) is Rogue Leader. There are both Red and Blue pilots and gunners... Makes me think "Groups Seven and Ten" would be Red and Blue Groups from ANH (in that order or the other way round). Makes me wonder what Group number Gold, Green, and Grey Groups are. Makes me wonder what happened to the other numbers. *shrug*

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

More ramblings but let me hit a couple of things that stood out I found interesting. God knows there wasn’t much of it thatwas interesting or thought provoking.

I have the soul of an engineer

You might be right because it sure the hell is not the soul of a romantic or a Star Wars fan.

I have two of these on order now,

And I’m sure you be along to tell us how much that got screwed up too by the Hasbro... or Disney... or the Illuminati... or who ever else stole your childhood.

 

[Rebelmando]

Geez, last I checked various and differing opinions were okay and frankly a good thing. Think I see why Mara gravitated to the Emperor.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Geez, last I checked various and differing opinions were okay and frankly a good thing. Think I see why Mara gravitated to the Emperor.

I don't have a problem with opinion. I take issues with so called fans trying to pass off their opinion as absolute facts and using a narrow view to draw conclusion. They make assumptions on how something must be and when new info is introduced via movie or series that conflicts with what they thought they knew, rather than reconsider the possibilities and incorporate the new info, they immediately say the movie or series is wrong and they are still right. It’s a growing problem in fandom.

When I debate a concept, I always try to pepper in words and phrase like... IMHO... I believe... speculate.. think... maybe... Often I will present multiple possibilities even if they contradict each other in an attempt to see if one has more merit than the other with other fans. I prefer to welcome new info and incorporate it. If something don’t make sense to me, I accept that it is possible and I just don’t have all the info. After all, I don’t know everything about the real world so why should I know everything about a fantasy world. I repeat... a FANTASY world folks.

 

[Rebelmando]

That is all fine and good. Your presentation style differs that is fine. Disagree with raise counter arguments fine understand. Actually both have raised some interesting points and some not. But verbally attack? You might want to read your words above.

Over and out.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

So i might be late to the show on xwing helmet padding. Ive looked into this since i got my DHPFX helmet to tighten the fit and found this site:

Xwing Helmet padding |

They make these... maybe just get the ear cups?

View attachment 1073492

I’d like to see what those look like in the helmet and how they fit on the head. Not sure I’d want to spend the amount that is almost equal to the helmet itself but still would like to see the results.

 

[JKRIB]

EFX I used to have was waaay too big on my small head (21.5 / 22 inches) It was also mainly a display piece.

I currently have a small size Darth Hair (DH-P/HX) with retractable visor...

but I AM thinking about getting this BS, now.. since every body is liking it, so far.

I wonder how Anovos will compare!

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

EFX I used to have was waaay too big on my small head (21.5 / 22 inches) It was also mainly a display piece.

I currently have a small size Darth Hair (DH-P/HX) with retractable visor...

but I AM thinking about getting this BS, now.. since every body is liking it, so far.

I wonder how Anovos will compare!

I’m not sure if I even put the Efx on my head. I knew it was always a display piece like you said. I do have the Anovos on order via Entertainment Earth. If that is a decent product I either plan to sell off my fan made helmet or get it repainted to another character.

But the Black Series is just too fun not to have.

 

[JKRIB]

I’m not sure if I even put the Efx on my head. I knew it was always a display piece like you said. I do have the Anovos on order via Entertainment Earth. If that is a decent product I either plan to sell off my fan made helmet or get it repainted to another character.

But the Black Series is just too fun not to have.

Sounds like a plan. So either way. You're gonna stick with the Black Series and if Anovos is decent, have 2? Or 3, if you decide to repaint your fan made?

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Sounds like a plan. So either way. You're gonna stick with the Black Series and if Anovos is decent, have 2? Or 3, if you decide to repaint your fan made?

Most likely I’d probably just resell the fan made one since the current paint job is very well done.

 

[Peacefrog35]

Here's my helmet after adding the white tube, which simulates the cord of the headset worn in the helmet and the first stages of my black wash to the helmet.
You can see yhe real Aph ear cups that i cut down the backs to make them fit less snugly next to my head. The black series has the thicker insides due to the electronics and sturdier build so i had to shave down the foam backing of the ear cup a bit.
These should Velcro in just fine now.

 

[Timmythekid]

EFX I used to have was waaay too big on my small head (21.5 / 22 inches) It was also mainly a display piece.

I currently have a small size Darth Hair (DH-P/HX) with retractable visor...

but I AM thinking about getting this BS, now.. since every body is liking it, so far.

I wonder how Anovos will compare!

I'm guessing the Anovos will be much, much lighter, and take up much less display space...like....virtually no display space and weigh literally nothing. Because the closest anyone is going to get to actually owning one is saving the website pictures to their HDDs.

 

[streetjudge79]

Hey guys, deepdiscount.com has the helmets for $89.00.. Just picked one up!!