MR Rocketeer Helmet NOW AVAILABLE? Are they fixed?

[temponaut]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rocketbobs @ Nov 21 2006, 05:12 AM) [snapback]1362089[/snapback]</div>

Another thing to consider with the MR helmet is most of the marketing pictures of the helmet are actually of a resin casting of a real Rocketeer helmet not the metal one they produced.[/b]

Wow, is that right?. I was aware that MR has used misleading marketing photos before, but had no idea that their Rocketeer helmet photos show a cast of a screen-used item and not the MR replica. :unsure

 

[p1x4r]

someone i know received his today. here's a couple of pics.

 

[Lukes Roommate]

Inaccuracies aside, THAT looks sweet.

 

[Gojira61]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lukes Roommate @ Nov 21 2006, 04:21 PM) [snapback]1362947[/snapback]</div>

Inaccuracies aside, THAT looks sweet.
[/b]

Yeah, the finish is really nice.

Jim

 

[confusion]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gojira61 @ Nov 21 2006, 01:35 PM) [snapback]1362960[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lukes Roommate @ Nov 21 2006, 04:21 PM) [snapback]1362947[/snapback]

Inaccuracies aside, THAT looks sweet.
[/b]

Yeah, the finish is really nice.

Jim
[/b][/quote]

I received my helmet on Wednesday and the awful stains that were on the first one I received are gone, so that's one problem solved by MR. Regarding the width, I actually think the one I received is slightly thinner (?), because I tried it on (yeah, yeah, I know MR says not to wear it, but can you really blame me?) and it's a tighter fit than the previous hemet I had (either that or my head is getting fatter).

c

 

[temponaut]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(confusion @ Nov 25 2006, 05:41 PM) [snapback]1365279[/snapback]</div>

Regarding the width, I actually think the one I received is slightly thinner (?), because I tried it on (yeah, yeah, I know MR says not to wear it, but can you really blame me?) and it's a tighter fit than the previous hemet I had [/b]

The temptation to try this thing on is no doubt almost irresistable. But, as you point out, this helmet is intended for display only, and we should keep in mind that there were reports of people's faces being cut by sharp edges while removing their heads from the first issue of this replica. Those problems may have been fixed... but if you start putting your head in and it seems like a tight fit, you might want to think twice. It might be harder to take off than it is to put on.

Collect safely.

 

[redshirt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dualedge @ Nov 16 2006, 08:11 AM) [snapback]1358776[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redshirt @ Nov 16 2006, 03:22 AM) [snapback]1358684[/snapback]

The comparison pics here may not be a good way to judge it. Pics can be off if p1x4r's photos of the MR helmet were taken closer in with a wide angle lens (common to most digital cameras)Â…the sides wouldn't show as much because of the wide angle and closeness. Most publicity photos are taken further away (10 feet) from the object and don't use a wide angle lensÂ…too much distortion on the images then.

Does anyone have a real hero to compare it against? I'd like to see MR side by side against a real screen used hero.

Tom
[/b]

Actually, I've both owned and finished kit versions of most of the helmets commonly available and photographed them in comparison to an original hero so the width issue I can verify is quite accurate. That's also why I suggested earlier when photographing, stand back and zoom in. It's the only way to get a decent photo of the width of a helmet. Here's a pic that'll help - I was about to post it anyway but I see we were thinking along the same lines. Even with the slight shift in perspective, you should be able to get a clear idea of how narrow the MR helmet is. (And that's a "first wave" MR version of course...)

As far as accuracy is concerned, you can tell the original is painted resin, the shape of the air intakes is pretty different, shape of the eyes is different, placement and some details about the fin is different, weld lines are drastically different and overall size is smaller. The width issue is by far the thing that bugs me the most accuracy wise.

Again, I always like to repeat, I think the MR helmet is a great buy for the money. Every kit version has it's inaccuracies but you can't beat the cool factor of having a metal helmet. For accuracy purists, a kit version is better. For more casual fans, I think the MR is a great buy.

[/b][/quote]

Yes, That does seem to be a pretty big difference in width.? Wonder why the difference.

Tom

 

[dualedge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redshirt @ Nov 25 2006, 02:38 PM) [snapback]1365461[/snapback]</div>

Yes, That does seem to be a pretty big difference in width.? Wonder why the difference.

Tom
[/b]

Primarily it boils down to what Bob mentioned. They had access to an original helmet but they didn't make a casting of it but rather copied it *by eye*. Perhaps due to the way the helmet is manufactured (?). I dunno why they decided to do it that way. But I have no doubt that's the main reason for most of the accuracy issues. If you compare the MR version to other helmets based on fan sculpts like phoenix version and the frontier models version (as opposed to a generational casting from an original), you'll see the same type of accuracy problems... width, eye shape, intake shape, weld lines, etc. And the fan sculpts always have the width way off too.

 

[confusion]

Here is a pic of the MR Helmet next to the Medicom Helmet.

[attachmentid=11254]


Here is a side view of the MR Helmet I received on Wednesday.


[attachmentid=11255]

 

[dualedge]

Thanks for posting that comparison, Confusion. It's interesting seeing the Medicom next to the MR. I'd love to get my hands on a Medicom helmet one of these days...

If you have any other photos, I'd love to see other views of the Medicom helmet like a side profile, rear view, inside or overhead shot... I've seen the photos on ebay but they're typically pretty lousy quality images.

You've gotta be a fellow finhead to have both versions.

 

[ghostryder]

Is the Medicom helmet considered to be more accurate? Didn't know about it. Was it a limited edition?

 

[illusioneer]

Is it true that the Medicom has a bar running from ear to ear on the inside of the helmet deeming it unwearable?

By aesthetic approximation, the Medicom looks pretty accurate.

 

[WinstonWolf359]

Well, I have to be honest. As a casual Rocketeer fan I think the MR is a beautiful helmet. I'm happy to see that the poor QC issues the first ones had seem to be fixed, but it IS too bad that the width issue is still a factor. :unsure

Is it possible it was made narrow intentionally to prevent it from being worn? Also, for those of you that actually have one, how apparent is the narrow-ness in person? Photos often seem to accentuate flaws in cases like this, but I'm curious if it still looks as squished in person...

 

[confusion]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(alienscollection.com @ Nov 25 2006, 08:53 PM) [snapback]1365741[/snapback]</div>

Is the Medicom helmet considered to be more accurate? Didn't know about it. Was it a limited edition?
[/b]

Not sure about accuracy. The one thing I've noticed on the Medicom helmet is the fin is really thick at the end. It looks like a sculpt? According to the Medicom website, the run is limited to 100. Here is a link to a pic of the helmet from the Medicom site:

http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/vshop/catalog/...rocketter01.jpg


Search Google with the following key words "medicom rocketeer prop size mask" and the 6th result is to the Medicom site, hit the translate link and you'll get a really bad translation, but it beats nothing at all.

c

 

[confusion]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(illusioneer @ Nov 25 2006, 09:27 PM) [snapback]1365759[/snapback]</div>

Is it true that the Medicom has a bar running from ear to ear on the inside of the helmet deeming it unwearable?

By aesthetic approximation, the Medicom looks pretty accurate.
[/b]

Yeah, the helmet has a silly plastic bar at the opening of the helmet. I guess it could be removed, but the inside of the helmet is really unfinished and there isn't that nice lining the MR version has.

c

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dualedge @ Nov 25 2006, 07:47 PM) [snapback]1365715[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for posting that comparison, Confusion. It's interesting seeing the Medicom next to the MR. I'd love to get my hands on a Medicom helmet one of these days...

If you have any other photos, I'd love to see other views of the Medicom helmet like a side profile, rear view, inside or overhead shot... I've seen the photos on ebay but they're typically pretty lousy quality images.

You've gotta be a fellow finhead to have both versions.
[/b]

Yeah, the Rocketeer was a great comic and a fun movie. I'd love to get a rocket pack someday.

I'll try to post some pics of the Medicom helmet tomorrow. I was going to take s'more pics today but the neighbors were looking at me funny. I guess I looked silly in the front yard taking pictures of the helmets.

 

[Hirohawa]

The Medicom Helmet looks really nice. I especially like the convex lenses.

 

[dualedge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(alienscollection.com @ Nov 25 2006, 11:53 PM) [snapback]1365741[/snapback]</div>

Is the Medicom helmet considered to be more accurate? Didn't know about it. Was it a limited edition?
[/b]

The Medicom helmet is much more accurate in most regards. It has a few minor accuracy issues, namely the lack of tapering on the fin and the way the eye lenses are finished are inaccurate. The lenses shouldn't be bubbled. The eye lenses should follow the curve of the body of the helmet. Also, the thickness of the helmet around the inside eyes and mouth should be much thinner.

Those are relatively minor accuracy issues though. And the Medicom helmet does have the bar inside.

[attachmentid=11276]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WinstonWolf359 @ Nov 26 2006, 01:34 AM) [snapback]1365778[/snapback]</div>

Is it possible it was made narrow intentionally to prevent it from being worn? Also, for those of you that actually have one, how apparent is the narrow-ness in person? Photos often seem to accentuate flaws in cases like this, but I'm curious if it still looks as squished in person...
[/b]

I suppose that depends on what you're used to or expect. It's just as bad to me but then I'm not really a casual fan But, yes, if you're familiar with how it's supposed to look, it's just as apparent in person. Also, the real metal finish is even nicer in person IMHO so you take the good with the bad.

I haven't had a chance to photograph the original next to a Medicom helmet unfortunately but I'll throw together a side-by-side and you can see the obvious flaws (which really aren't too bad.)

 

[dualedge]

------------------

Okay, keep in mind, you are NOT getting a good idea of the width from either of these photos... original on the left, Medicom on the right. Just ignore the width issue in comparing these though I believe the Medicom is very much in line with what it should be. (Medicom pic is taken from an ebay auction btw).

What you should look at is the shape of the eye lenses, the thickness of the helmet around the eye lenses and the thickness of the fin. Those are the only significant accuracy issues on the Medicom from what I've seen. I would honestly recommend the Medicom over the MR for accuracy.

[attachmentid=11277]

 

[confusion]

Here are s'more pics of the Medicom helmet.

Front
[attachmentid=11303]

Side
[attachmentid=11304]

Bottom (with that silly bar)
[attachmentid=11306]