steps taken:
decompiled axis-inf and axis-infT into a directory.

imported axis-k98.smd in milkshape.
imported gasmask.smd (triangles only, no skeleton).

I got the headgear into position, then saved axis-k98.smd.
I compiled the model. no errors.

results:
opened the model in HLMV .. all textures look fine, however the gasmask is floating five feet away from the player model.

whoops, pnoobage.

is the gasmask free floating because I did not assign the headgear to a bone? do I open axis-k98.smd in notepad and add/remove a few lines?

all help / instruction appreciated, this axis hackjob should be pretty sweet when MREL.

Check if you actually did assign it to the correct bone. That might be it.

Sush-
That sounds good, but I don't know how to do it.

Can I get a condensed walk-thru of assigning a gasmask group to the head bone?

1) Open your model in Milkhape
2) Press Ctrl-A to select all.
3) Press Ctrl-H to hide everything
4) Goto the groups tab, select the parts which make up your gas mask and press hide to unhide them.
5) Go to the model tab, press the Select button and make sure Vertex is selected with "Ignore Backfaces" turned off.
6)Press the Joints tab and scroll down the list until you find a bone called "Bip 01 Head"
7) Click on that bone so that it is selected.
8) In one of the 3D windows drag a rectangle over the whole of your gasmask so that all over the vertices turn red.
9) With all of the vertices selected press the "Assign" button below the joints list.
10) To confirm, click anywhere in the 3d window away from your model to unselect the vertices. Again, click the "Bip01 Head" bone and then press the "SelAssigned" button. Your gassmask vertices should show read meaning that they are assigned to the right bone.
11) Export your SMD as normal.

- Jed

Supreme thanks and gratitude. It simply works.

Anytime. ;)

- Jed