Post by donlock on Sept 21, 2008 21:26:32 GMT 1
The set contains four 5” figures, being the Supreme Dalek, Davros, the Doctor and a Crucible Dalek. There are no accessories. At the risk of beginning to sound like a broken record (corrupted MP3?), IMHO every one of these figures is an improvement in terms of accuracy and modelling on those presented in previous waves.
The Packaging
Once again the lozenge-shaped box with the easily removable lid secured by a strip of Cellotape. With the lid out of the way the figures, attached to a contoured packing piece, can be lifted straight out. The Doctor is secured by twist-ties at calves and elbows, the Daleks by ties at skirt base and neck, and Davros at the skirt base, chest and his ‘good arm’. A little extra work is required to free the Supreme. The twist-tie around its neck bin is threaded through the additional rigging which adorns this variant, and a small strip of Cellotape keeps the arm in place.
The Doctor
Resplendent in pinstripe suit and slightly dirty white sneakers with red and blue piping, topped-off with a reasonable facial likeness. The Doctor really is looking a bit scruffy in this incarnation. His tie is slightly awry and the suit has some wonderful detail creases, particularly where it appears to pull at a fastened button. It has the appearance of needing a good pressing. Marvellous stuff. The figure is articulated at knees, hips, waist elbows, shoulders and neck.
Davros
Checking reference material confirms that the chair control panel is equipped with scale versions of all the switches and doo-dahs of the original. A good facial likeness, although I think more could have been made of this at the painting stage. Instead of emphasising the creases and folds, the predominantly brown head has been given a gentle mottling. By comparison I don’t think it matches the 5” Sontaran figure faces, which I consider are quite staggering. Articulation is limited to his good arm at elbow, bicep and shoulder, and the neck.
Crucible Dalek
Differing from the standard model only in having a paint-stirrer thingy instead of a plunger, this 5” Dalek figure is nevertheless a bit of a revelation (no pun intended). As far as I can judge every single component is a new and more accurate moulding.
So, for the detail freaks, working from the bottom upwards:
• Smaller fender with shorter sidewalls and no chines between panels.
• Skirt has less ‘rake’
• Lower collar has greater height across the chest.
• Chest panel has a corrected profile.
• Gun box bosses accurised and have more detail.
• Smaller arm and gun diameter.
• Number and position of the shoulder slats corrected so that a slat now straddles the rear centre-line.
• Raised shoulder section beneath the neck bin has greater depth.
• Thicker neck bin struts and more accurate strut blocks.
• More accurate neck bin mesh moulding.
• Dome now has the two rear indents.
• Accurised cowl with hex bolt detail.
• Correct upper cowl slot profile with the addition of a raised lip.
• Shorter, more slender eye with smaller diameter disks.
• Ridged detail on the eye pivot.
• New dome lights.
Phew! A real treasure then, and surely one of the most accurate plastic 5” Dalek figures yet!
Supreme Dalek
This figure builds on all of the detail corrections which have been applied to the Crucible Dalek. When compared against my reference material, it appears to be an accurate scale portrayal of the Supreme prop, including the somewhat controversial additional neck bracing and dome light plinths. Interestingly the eye is a completely different moulding from the Crucible version, with a shorter stalk, wider diameter discs and smaller end. Whether the prop Supreme has a different eye design I haven’t been able to establish…
Anything not to like?
Garn, I’m really having to scratch around not to seem like a complete fop. Clutching at straws then, the Crucible Dalek ‘paint-stirrer’ appendage is possible a tad on the large side. Davros’ torso sits inside his chariot on a flat silver base which might better have been painted black. The Doctor could have been provided with a sonic screwdriver or some other accessory to keep his hands busy. Pathetic, I still sound like a hopeless Character Options fan-boy, but I really do think the set is that good!
Conclusion
Two Thumbs Up again. A great Dr. Who set, and Davros and the two new Daleks variants are pretty much must-haves for anybody serious about building a 5” army of pan-galactic conquest.
My set was £19.99 from Argos, where very soon I will probably be given a chair with my name on the back if CO continue issuing desirable Dr. Who goodies at the current rate. Catalogue Code 387/6860.
The Packaging
Once again the lozenge-shaped box with the easily removable lid secured by a strip of Cellotape. With the lid out of the way the figures, attached to a contoured packing piece, can be lifted straight out. The Doctor is secured by twist-ties at calves and elbows, the Daleks by ties at skirt base and neck, and Davros at the skirt base, chest and his ‘good arm’. A little extra work is required to free the Supreme. The twist-tie around its neck bin is threaded through the additional rigging which adorns this variant, and a small strip of Cellotape keeps the arm in place.
The Doctor
Resplendent in pinstripe suit and slightly dirty white sneakers with red and blue piping, topped-off with a reasonable facial likeness. The Doctor really is looking a bit scruffy in this incarnation. His tie is slightly awry and the suit has some wonderful detail creases, particularly where it appears to pull at a fastened button. It has the appearance of needing a good pressing. Marvellous stuff. The figure is articulated at knees, hips, waist elbows, shoulders and neck.
Davros
Checking reference material confirms that the chair control panel is equipped with scale versions of all the switches and doo-dahs of the original. A good facial likeness, although I think more could have been made of this at the painting stage. Instead of emphasising the creases and folds, the predominantly brown head has been given a gentle mottling. By comparison I don’t think it matches the 5” Sontaran figure faces, which I consider are quite staggering. Articulation is limited to his good arm at elbow, bicep and shoulder, and the neck.
Crucible Dalek
Differing from the standard model only in having a paint-stirrer thingy instead of a plunger, this 5” Dalek figure is nevertheless a bit of a revelation (no pun intended). As far as I can judge every single component is a new and more accurate moulding.
So, for the detail freaks, working from the bottom upwards:
• Smaller fender with shorter sidewalls and no chines between panels.
• Skirt has less ‘rake’
• Lower collar has greater height across the chest.
• Chest panel has a corrected profile.
• Gun box bosses accurised and have more detail.
• Smaller arm and gun diameter.
• Number and position of the shoulder slats corrected so that a slat now straddles the rear centre-line.
• Raised shoulder section beneath the neck bin has greater depth.
• Thicker neck bin struts and more accurate strut blocks.
• More accurate neck bin mesh moulding.
• Dome now has the two rear indents.
• Accurised cowl with hex bolt detail.
• Correct upper cowl slot profile with the addition of a raised lip.
• Shorter, more slender eye with smaller diameter disks.
• Ridged detail on the eye pivot.
• New dome lights.
Phew! A real treasure then, and surely one of the most accurate plastic 5” Dalek figures yet!
Supreme Dalek
This figure builds on all of the detail corrections which have been applied to the Crucible Dalek. When compared against my reference material, it appears to be an accurate scale portrayal of the Supreme prop, including the somewhat controversial additional neck bracing and dome light plinths. Interestingly the eye is a completely different moulding from the Crucible version, with a shorter stalk, wider diameter discs and smaller end. Whether the prop Supreme has a different eye design I haven’t been able to establish…
Anything not to like?
Garn, I’m really having to scratch around not to seem like a complete fop. Clutching at straws then, the Crucible Dalek ‘paint-stirrer’ appendage is possible a tad on the large side. Davros’ torso sits inside his chariot on a flat silver base which might better have been painted black. The Doctor could have been provided with a sonic screwdriver or some other accessory to keep his hands busy. Pathetic, I still sound like a hopeless Character Options fan-boy, but I really do think the set is that good!
Conclusion
Two Thumbs Up again. A great Dr. Who set, and Davros and the two new Daleks variants are pretty much must-haves for anybody serious about building a 5” army of pan-galactic conquest.
My set was £19.99 from Argos, where very soon I will probably be given a chair with my name on the back if CO continue issuing desirable Dr. Who goodies at the current rate. Catalogue Code 387/6860.
