you know I'm probably the last guy you should ask, but I have done some fiddling w/ virtualdub among other programs, and I think that maybe a delogo type approach might work here. logos are often translucent down in the corner and if you do it right you can 'subtract' them from the frame giving a pretty decent result. I think the stars when behind the helmet are sort of like a logo if you think of them being on top instead.
it will take some work but I think you could do it successfully. at least maybe this will get some of the gurus here to chime in a bit...