Hopefully this is third time lucky in my attempt to produce a cheap but passable Russian style 'MASKA' helmet. So far I have tried a cheap motorcycle helmet and then a slightly more practical classic style snow-boarding helmet, but neither were a satisfying imitation.

Unfortunately for me, while a good 1:1 scale replica of the Maska was put on sale for airsofters last year the price was prohibitive and, worse, the quality of the shield was so poor that the manufacturers finally removed it all together. As the shield is the most distinctive part of the Maska - and most practical for CQB airsoft - I ruled out it's purchase and decided to have another go at making my own fake.

This time I managed to find a more reasonable starting point for the helmet as I came across a very reasonably priced surplus British police ARGUS riot helmet - just £19 on eBay! Now, the reason this is a good basis for the project is that the general shape isn't as bulbous as the motorcycle helmet and it is already fitted with a protective face shield.

Left: The real Maska 1Sch1 - the earlier and most recognizable version of the Russian bullet-proof helmet used by Spetsnaz forces. As you can see, the face shield is the most distinctive feature of this helmet and will be the focus of my 'replica'.

The Argus's face shield in particular is the key to this mod, as it will make the imitation of the distinctive MASKA bullet-proof shield easier to achieve. In fact, with a realistically replica of the MASKA's shield on the front of the helmet I will be well on the way to having an acceptable fake Russian military helmet.

Today I am examining my newly delivered Argus helmet, deciding how I should proceed and I am also doing some research into the real dimensions of the real Maska's face shied so I can replicate a facsimile.

Above: My Argus riot helmet - a bit scratched up but perfect for my purpose. Importantly this helmet comes with it's own clear plastic face shield - the mechanism for which I will be using to hang the MASKA style solid face shield on.

The condition of the used Argus isn't too bad - mainly surface scratches - and it fits nicely, but it is a bit uncomfortable so will need some additional padding, and I will have to remove the rear neck protection. As for the Maska shield dimensions I struck gold at the Red Alliance Forum (where else) as someone else is undertaking a similar project.

Above: Schematic for the MASKA-1Sch face shield. Hopefully by faithfully recreating this component of the Maska my fake-Maska will pass for the real thing...At a distance at least! Source: Red Alliance Forum

In the next part of this build project I will be fitting a mock-up template of the shield to the Argus in order to figure out the best way to join the final shield (which will be constructed of sheet aluminum). I will also fitting the additional foam padding needed to make the helmet comfortable in use.