Thank for the help, Marc.
In the end I managed to get it out using the exact method you described. It turns out the motor brushes are completely toast, so it's time for a new motor.

What kind of price were you thinking of for that 90 blower unit? (And what sort of condition is it in?) If you want to drop me an email, my email is paroxon [A] gmail.com

Thanks again!

P.S. I'd contacted my local honda tech and he'd said that the "correct" way to get the thing out is to drain the system of freon then take out the condensor. In spite of this, the tech uses the same method of bending the dash himself.