Darth Karo wrote:
I will have to say that there were at least two different molds taken, one with tabs (UK) and one without tabs (USA). The TM and the original VP are both UK based and have full intact tabs. Your faceplate has the tabs also, but I don't know if you've ever stated whether it was US based or not. You may have, but I forgot. I believe your faceplate and the TM were cast before the DJ. I don't know the whole history with regard to the original VP and when it was originally cast. I will also go with my gut feeling that this new cast will not have more detail than your faceplate or the TM you currently have in your possession. I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here. It is my opinion and I might be proven wrong, but I don't think so. I also believe that DJs faceplate and dome was a byproduct of an already, ever so slightly, modified/cleaned up original. There are tells on the DJ that indicate that. Thomas, I think once you receive the new cast and can compare it with what you have, you might agree. If I'm wrong then I look forward to being educated.
The TD ANH is UK-based like the VP and TM with the same tabs. I really can't say how much detail the SL ANH will have compared to the TD or TM.
Yes it makes sense that the DJ was cast later than the TM and TD, and even that the SL was cast later...but it's also a question of when the molds were taken in the UK and in the US. I would guess the UK molds were taken first but when was that Elstree photo of the original mask taken? If it was during the production of Raiders then 1979...but what was it doing back at Elstree...that's a big question on my mind. I assume that once it made it's way to the US it stayed there. The grill is identical in every photo I've seen.
I'm not sure why you think the DJ is from a slightly cleaned up original because then it would be from a different mold and according to DJ it is not.
What I might do is compare two or three details from the TD, TM, DJ and SL and my prediction is the SL will be the best or on par with the TM at least in unpainted form.
I'm almost thinking it would be interesting to loan DJ the TM mask I have been examining and have him compare it to his casting...but it's not really the best comparison since the TM is raw and the DJ is painted...plus the SL should be as good if not better than the DJ.