Have you ever wanted to build your own Dalek? If so, a new weekly partwork might be for you. The Dalek, published by Hachette Partworks, gives Doctor Who fans the opportunity to build one of their own replicas of the Doctor's greatest enemies.
While I'm not usually one for model building partworks, mainly due to the total cost, I must admit, this one has at least grabbed my attention. For one thing, there's the size of it. While the replica won't be lifesize, it is at least 1:2 scale, which is quite impressive.
The model is also based on the Time War design, first seen back in 2005, in the fittingly titled episode "Dalek". While I'm a big fan of the old-school models - particularly the '60s silver/blue design - I have to admit, the Time War design is still one of the best looks for the pepper pots. It stays true to the basic shape (something that the New Dalek Paradigm design failed to do), while still looking strong and formidable. Frankly, there's a reason this design has endured for close to twenty years.
Features
The model will also feature a few extra details that makes it more than something nice to look at. These features include remote control movement, which extends to being able to rotate the head and shoulder sections. Both the headlamps and the eyestalk can light-up, and you can even open the mid-section to see the Dalek creature within.
Along with the model itself, the magazine might also have some appeal for Dalek fans. Along with including building instructions for the Dalek, the magazine also covers much of the history of the Daleks. Interestingly, one key difference between the UK and US partworks is that UK readers will get an actual magazine, while US subscribers will only get a digital copy. As a US fan, I'm not complaining - at the end of the day, the Dalek itself is the selling point, but it's nice that I still get a copy of the magazine to read, at least.
It sounds like a lot of detail has been included in this model. Of course, it'll be a long time before fans will see it completed - that is the point of model partworks, after all. The website advises that the model will be complete after 140 issues. Considering that's two and a half years at £11.99/$14.99 per issue, that's a big investment in terms of both money and time.
But if you are interested in building your own Dalek, then you can subscribe using this link if you live in the UK, or this link if you're in the US.