Post by donlock on Aug 21, 2009 0:36:17 GMT 1
Coming hot on the heals of the recently released 'First Doctor & Dalek Saucer Commander Set', we now have the eagerly anticipated Character Options Dalek Collector's Set #2.
The set consists of three 5” plastic Daleks, representing variants seen in the serials ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’, ‘Evil of the Daleks' and 'Day of the Daleks’. As with previous CO classic Dalek releases, all of the appendages are poseable, the domes rotate and the figures will freely roll across a smooth surface on small wheels fitted to the base given a gentle nudge. So, in detail:
The Packaging
The clear lid of the 'bread bin'-shaped container is embossed with Time Lord-style roundels and secured by an encircling strip of Cellotape which, on my example, was extremely sticky and proved impossible to remove in one piece.
Once the lid is off the Daleks and inner base/backing piece can be lifted out. Each Dalek is secured to the inner packing by two twist-ties, one running up through the base and one around the neck. There is also a thin, soft, vinyl band stretched around each neck bin and eye stalk to keep the latter items in place during transit.
Dalek Invasion of Earth Variant
Described on the packaging as a 'Saucer Pilot Dalek', this is a representation of the stripe-skirted variant also known as the Earth Taskforce Commander or Saucer Commander. It comes complete with the large extended fender and rear-mounted parabolic 'energy collector' dish, which in combination were modifications unique to the television Daleks seen in the DIOE serial.
Evil of the Daleks Variant
This is the Emperor's Guard version, with the signature black dome. The hemis are correctly painted a darker shade of blue than those on the 5" Daleks from 'The Daleks' and ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’, which CO have issued previously. CO's researchers don't seem to have missed a trick.
Day of the Daleks Variant
The packaging describes this Dalek as a 'Supreme Dalek', although I don't think this attribution was ever made in the serial itself. It's more often referred to as a 'Dalek Leader', or the Gold Dalek. The gold colour looks to be a good match for the original prop. The increased skirt height as seen in the Day of the Daleks is accurately modelled in scale, although no attempt has been made to represent the flexible plastic lower section which was fitted to the original props.
Criticisms?
When casting a critical eye over these figures it has to be borne in mind that they are being sold as toys, not scale models. That said, the eagle-eyed might cock an eyebrow at the depth of the lower collar where it runs under the gun boxes, the position of the two front shoulder slats, the shape of the chest oval (where present) and wish that the parabolic dish was slightly deeper. The Gold Dalek's eye pupil has been moulded in relief and painted gloss black, causing it to catch the light. Given the tiny size of the item in question, this inaccuracy is strangely noticeable. Quality-wise my Gold Dalek seems suffer from a few faults. One dome light is misshapen, there's a small gap between the upper neck ring and the neck bin, and the fender was misaligned at the rear. (This was easily cured by removing the four tiny screws in the base and re-seating it).
Conclusion
Character Options continues to maintain the high standard of their previous 5" classic Dalek offerings, rendering this set yet another real treat for the mini-Dalek enthusiast. Thoroughly recommended. My set was ordered over the internet at £19.99 plus p&p from Forbidden Planet, whom I can't fault in terms of ease of ordering and delivery. Recent Dalek acquisitions have all arrived promptly, securely contained in boxes of the size used to hold five reams of A4. The boxes were stuffed with packing paper to make sure nothing moves around. The latest Dalek Set was also wrapped in a sheet of tissue paper, presumably to ensure that the clear plastic container remained unmarked. That's the sort of extra effort which serious collectors may well appreciate.
The set consists of three 5” plastic Daleks, representing variants seen in the serials ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’, ‘Evil of the Daleks' and 'Day of the Daleks’. As with previous CO classic Dalek releases, all of the appendages are poseable, the domes rotate and the figures will freely roll across a smooth surface on small wheels fitted to the base given a gentle nudge. So, in detail:
The Packaging
The clear lid of the 'bread bin'-shaped container is embossed with Time Lord-style roundels and secured by an encircling strip of Cellotape which, on my example, was extremely sticky and proved impossible to remove in one piece.
Once the lid is off the Daleks and inner base/backing piece can be lifted out. Each Dalek is secured to the inner packing by two twist-ties, one running up through the base and one around the neck. There is also a thin, soft, vinyl band stretched around each neck bin and eye stalk to keep the latter items in place during transit.
Dalek Invasion of Earth Variant
Described on the packaging as a 'Saucer Pilot Dalek', this is a representation of the stripe-skirted variant also known as the Earth Taskforce Commander or Saucer Commander. It comes complete with the large extended fender and rear-mounted parabolic 'energy collector' dish, which in combination were modifications unique to the television Daleks seen in the DIOE serial.
Evil of the Daleks Variant
This is the Emperor's Guard version, with the signature black dome. The hemis are correctly painted a darker shade of blue than those on the 5" Daleks from 'The Daleks' and ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’, which CO have issued previously. CO's researchers don't seem to have missed a trick.
Day of the Daleks Variant
The packaging describes this Dalek as a 'Supreme Dalek', although I don't think this attribution was ever made in the serial itself. It's more often referred to as a 'Dalek Leader', or the Gold Dalek. The gold colour looks to be a good match for the original prop. The increased skirt height as seen in the Day of the Daleks is accurately modelled in scale, although no attempt has been made to represent the flexible plastic lower section which was fitted to the original props.
Criticisms?
When casting a critical eye over these figures it has to be borne in mind that they are being sold as toys, not scale models. That said, the eagle-eyed might cock an eyebrow at the depth of the lower collar where it runs under the gun boxes, the position of the two front shoulder slats, the shape of the chest oval (where present) and wish that the parabolic dish was slightly deeper. The Gold Dalek's eye pupil has been moulded in relief and painted gloss black, causing it to catch the light. Given the tiny size of the item in question, this inaccuracy is strangely noticeable. Quality-wise my Gold Dalek seems suffer from a few faults. One dome light is misshapen, there's a small gap between the upper neck ring and the neck bin, and the fender was misaligned at the rear. (This was easily cured by removing the four tiny screws in the base and re-seating it).
Conclusion
Character Options continues to maintain the high standard of their previous 5" classic Dalek offerings, rendering this set yet another real treat for the mini-Dalek enthusiast. Thoroughly recommended. My set was ordered over the internet at £19.99 plus p&p from Forbidden Planet, whom I can't fault in terms of ease of ordering and delivery. Recent Dalek acquisitions have all arrived promptly, securely contained in boxes of the size used to hold five reams of A4. The boxes were stuffed with packing paper to make sure nothing moves around. The latest Dalek Set was also wrapped in a sheet of tissue paper, presumably to ensure that the clear plastic container remained unmarked. That's the sort of extra effort which serious collectors may well appreciate.
