Return to the BUILD
“This issue’s parts make up Iron Man’s helmet, complete with interior lighting and switch. The only tool needed is the screwdriver included with this issue.”
If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend reading through my Getting Started page first.
Contents
Parts
NOTE: A single CR1025 battery is included with this issue.
Materials: Here I will describe the materials the supplied parts in each issue are made out of. All of the screws are metal, so I will not mention them. For instance, in this issue, the Helmet, Mask, Helmet Base, and Support Post are all metal and the rest of the parts are plastic.
Tools
- Phillips-head Screwdriver (appears to be size PH0)
This precision screwdriver is one of the nicer ones to be included with a partwork. It is all metal with a rotating end cap. It was worth a picture:
Magazine
- At the Cinema – Iron Man: The Origin of a Hero
- Step by Step – Model Instructions
- In the Comics – Unmasked: The Last Game of Obsidian Stane
Introduction Flyer
Describes some of the details of the build and folds out into a poster:
- Over 60 cm Tall
- 52 Articulating Joints
- Illuminated Arc Reactor, Eyes, and Repulsors
Build
The Helmet
Stage 1 – LED Assembly
Step 1
Fit the Support Post inside the Helmet and secure into place with two (2) EM screws:
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Step 2
Fit the LED Assembly in the Helmet so the battery opening is facing the top of the Helmet, and secure with one (1) EM screw, as shown:
Stage 2 – Fitting the LEDs
Step 1
Slide the two tabs of the Visor Base into the matching opening at the front of the Helmet:
Step 2
Push the two LEDs of the LED Assembly into these holes of the LED Support, as shown:
Step 3
Fit this LED Support into the Helmet so the LEDs are facing the Visor Base, and secure with two (2) EM screws.
The ‘notched’ tab of the LED Support should slide into the groove of the Visor Base, as shown:
Stage 3 – Helmet Base and Switch
Step 1
Fit the three posts of the Helmet Support onto the Helmet Baseplate:
Secure this into place with three (3) AP screws, as shown:
Step 2
Fit this assembly into the Helmet Base as shown…
… and secure these parts together with two (2) EM screws, as shown:
Step 3
Fit the D-shaped hole of the Switch onto the matching D-shaped post of the Right Earpiece:
Secure the Switch to the Right Earpiece with one (1) BP screw:
Step 4
Slide the narrow part of the Right Earpiece post into this slot of the Helmet Base. Rotate the earpiece so the tab of the switch is pointing down into the square recess of the Helmet Baseplate, as shown:
Rotating this Right Earpiece will activate the Visor lighting. On my model, it was a little wobbly and it bothered me. To fix it, I simply removed the Switch cap and put an M4 washer over the post. Then, when I slid it back into the Helmet Base, I made sure the washer was on the inside. I did need to loosen the BP screw a little to give the washer some room and control how hard it was to rotate. This worked perfectly!
Step 5
Bring the Helmet over and secure the switch of the LED Assembly to the Helmet Baseplate as shown, with one (1) BP screw.
With my mod above, I needed to bend the lower switch contact away from the upper one a tiny bits so they would only touch each other when the tab of the Switch closed them. Now it only activates when I want it to:
Stage 4 – Fitting the Mask
Step 1
Bring the two parts of the helmet together making sure the Support Post lines up to the matching hole of the Helmet Baseplate:
Check that these parts are properly aligned, then secure them together with three (3) EM screws:
Step 2
Insert one CR1025 battery into the socket of the LED Assembly, with the negative side of the battery towards the Right Earpiece.
We can optionally use a pair of tweezers here to compress the spring and make installing this battery easier:
Fit the Battery Cover into place over the opening and secure it closed with one (1) EP screw:
Step 3
Place the Left Earpiece into it’s matching recess on the left side of the Helmet assembly. It will hold itself in place with magnets.
There is a keyed tab on the back of this Left Earpiece that matches a groove in the Helmet, so it will only sit flush when it is correctly aligned:
Step 4
Secure the Visor inside the Mask using one (1) EM screw, as shown:
Place the Mask Part B inside the Mask as shown, and secure it down with one (1) EM screw:
That competes this issue! We can fit the Mask to the front of the Helmet (magnets will hold it in place) and rotate the Right Earpiece to turn the LEDs on and light up the eyes:
Thoughts
I have always enjoyed the Iron Man story (even going back to the original comic books). It is fantastic that I finally able to build this partwork suit! Even if the rest of the armor did not arrive, this helmet is plenty cool on its own. I hope the rest of this build goes as smoothly. Keep this Helmet assembly stored safely as we will not need it again until Issue 93.
Next Up
Issue 2 – Left Foot
The switch on mine doesn’t seem to work, the lights don’t come on.