Look, you gotta ask yourself is this even possible? I am a firm believer that if you put your mind to it anything is possible. BUT this is extensive, or even extreme...!
Where would you even start?
1) I'm betting if you started with the thick surface coat of rust on the shell your would wind up with numerous holes throughout. You have to keep in mind that these ersatz shells are about .010 - .015" steel thickness. These thicknesses are harder to weld and leave you less room to grind away the rust. The shell would be paper thin in the end.
2) Next, what about the rear visor? Does anybody have a template to cut out a perfect shape visor? Does anybody have the skill to roll the edges of the visor? That would very tricky, probably with multiple attempts. You would have to probably get one made by a metal fabricator and that would take time and money (not to mention explaining what a pickelhaube is to everyone).
3) Finally, how would you patch the giant hole in the rear/side? Would you weld or solder on a patch (that would have to be pre-formed first) and then fill with more solder? I think adding Bondo would cheapen the historical significance of the helmet.
Besides, $149.99 is WAYYYYYYY to much for this project helmet. Maybe more like $14.99
You could score a better ersatz tin shell for the same price, just gotta watch the Ebay.
Anyways, that's just my thoughts !
Adam
Oh, and PS....then you would have to hunt down all the ersatz metal hardware (eagle, spike, etc...), and don't even get me started on the liner..... :wink:
Ron