A History of the Special Weapons Dalek Props on and off Screen

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Yes, that is the correct pronounciation of Aaronovitch.
Full interview with Cy Town and John Scott Martin: • John Scott Martin and ...
The Special Weapons Dalek first appeared in Remembrance of the Daleks and was a last minute creation. Discover how it came into being and what happened to it between 1988 and its resurrection for the Matt Smith era.

[@britanimations2002]

Could we get Nick Briggs to release the original voice he created for the Special Weapons Dalek? I'm so damn curious

[@_Remorium]

I want to say it was stated somewhere it was close to what he used for... the Dalek Executioner from Time Lord Victorious? So it is possible to listen to a voice close to what it was meant to be

[@VerityShush]

@@_Remorium I believe the in-universe backstory for executioners was that they were Special Weapons Daleks who were cured of their mutations (but not their insanity) and reassigned to the executioner rank

[@TwigTheThird]

As someone who got onboard the Doctor Who train as a kid during the Nu-Who era; the Heavy Weapons Dalek was the first thing I stumbled upon in the wiki that made me sit back and go “holy shit that’s metal”

[@Cybermat47]

Same!

[@Ace42x]

I really liked how the Target novelisation gave the Special Weapons Dalek a small backstory.

[@EdSigma]

I do like that backstory of "The Abomination".

[@timecontroller8800]

What is its back story I know it was nick named the abomination and I know why it’s called that but do tell?

[@MajorT0m]

Tis a sad tale. Whenever it discharged its weapon, a backwash of radiation mutated it slightly every time. It began to gain a level of self awareness that made it's fellow daleks fear and despise it. They named it Abomination. Poor Abomination :( a freak among freaks, an mutant among mutants.

[@ptonpc]

@@timecontroller8800 From memory (so I may have some details wrong) Every time the SWD fired its gun, the radiation would mutate its cells. This was very much against the Dalek idea of racial purity. Every time it went into battle it moved further away from 'perfection'. It was also insane but it knew that.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

@@ptonpc Nope, you're correct. People think it's oil staining the SWD, but in fact it is actually bodily fluids. The mutant is basically drooling down itself.

[@andenosinemonophosphate9298]

I had a book when I was a kid, called "The Dalek Survival Guide" and it stated that SWDs are temperamental and only have short life-spans, and show severe anger, even by Dalek standards. Given that this book was around before the 2005 revamp, I have no idea how accepted it is an official piece of lore, but I feel like the 12th Doctor's story wit them keep to this idea as SWDs just being trigger-happy grunts who the Daleks accept all while the gun is pointing away from them

[@markmanhetherington1]

I still have that book. I need to read it again!

[@404TVfr]

@@markmanhetherington1 I beg of you, please scan it and dump the thing online.

[@stimulusrespond]

I am pretty sure that the novelisation describes it as being a mad Dalek, and that the other Daleks were afraid of it.

[@Wanten-the-stormtrooper]

I have it too! Brilliant book!

[@markmanhetherington1]

@@stimulusrespond don't they call it the Abomination or something similar?

[@TwigTheThird]

Thinking to how the interior of the Millennium Falcon could never fit inside the exterior dimensions, I think it is a rite of passage for any sci-fi fan to have to reconcile the incongruity between exterior and interior dimensions. So happy you got to do so in an official capacity!

[@andreykuzmin4355]

CEC freighters are known to be bigger on the inside, than on outside. Very handy for upgrades). No wonder Rebels would always turn them into gunship!

[@user-hc9qv9yb9m]

and definitely the Jupiter 2

[@ItsButterBean1020]

Halo doing this too

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

And it's not just science fiction where spatial and geometric impossibilities exist. Jan Harlan said in 2012 that all of the Overlook Hotel sets for "The Shining" (1980) were designed so that they would not only be impossible from both a spatial and geographical standpoint, but that they couldn't fit into the hotel we see from the outside, which by the way was the Timberline Lodge.

[@brianartillery]

The 5" 'Action Figure' of this Dalek was in a range of talking Dalek models. The thing with this one was that it didn't speak, so instead of talk, there were sound effects. All good... However, if you turned the toy off, held the activation button down, and turned it back on again, it beeped... And pressing the speech button made it say, in a weary and tortured voice, phrases of it's inner dialogue, as written by Ben Aaronovitch for the Target novelisation. Very cool indeed - and not mentioned anywhere on the packaging. I only found it by accident when replacing batteries.

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Wow that's impressive

[@brianartillery]

Character Options, who made the figure, were fond of giving some of their Doctor Who toys 'Easter Eggs' - most of their Sonic Screwdriver replicas have bonus, hidden sound effects on them.

[@Timmymantwo]

What a Dalek, it's beloved by the fandom and for good reason. Brilliant video again lads

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@Timmymantwo]

@@Dalek6388 Always a pleasure to watch and learn

[@jaygent2836]

i LOVE how this series is almost 60 years old but we are always learning new things! Another brilliant video guys, well done and thank you for all the hard work that goes into these episodes.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@richardmattocks]

I’d always wondered about why the later Daleks didn’t “quite” look right. Now I know. I had no idea about the garden festival shape change. Awesome research.

[@alexfletcher5192]

Remembrance was such a relief when I was 15, because the previous season had felt a bit silly and fey to me as a teenager. I don't know how it looks to youngsters today, but after part one I could barely sleep. And when the SWD turns up you think you have slipped sideways into a comic strip version of the show. Little did we know how big it was all to become.

[@CacoQueen]

I always thought that the hight discrepancies with the shuttle craft was a joke at the expense of Sylvester's height lol

[@ajclements4627]

I say this with every video, this channel deserves official DW recognition as a repository for its history.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@borusa32]

I particulally like the theory that the excessive radiation from the gun discharge sends the mutant bonkers.

[@Grim2]

9:47: Awwww, they could've just dubbed over a voice, to have it say something like: "Move aside!" and then the bumped Dalek profusely apologizing.

[@Geesuv]

I was just thinking that! Given how grimy and rough it looks compared to the rest of the imperials, a belligerent demeanor would have given it a lot of personality and show that even it's fellow daleks don't want to upset it!

[@mastterby]

I remember hearing Nick mention the "beefy" voice in a behind the scenes video, hope we get to hear it at some point!

[@404TVfr]

Could you point us to the specific video at all, or...?

[@mastterby]

@@404TVfr Yep, right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4DClJJpmLqWoK8

[@redbrick5176]

@@404TVfr kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4DClJJpmLqWoK8

[@IanIsSwag]

@@404TVfr it’s in the behind the scenes for the magicians apprentice. It should be in the dvd special features

[@404TVfr]

@@IanIsSwag which I don't have or have the money for lmao

[@GeorgeTheDinoGuy]

The plant pot Dalek! Also gotta love the dinosaur and Dalek figurines!

[@davidhuggins16]

Absolutely brilliant documentary. Love the detail you’ve unearthed here. I was 7 when Remembrance first aired and the Special Weapons Dalek really caught my imagination too. I always associate it on some level with the alternate Dalek design drawn by Ray Cusick for the 10th anniversary issue of DWM. Probably because both were the first significant variation on the standard Dalek “look” that I’d seen up to that point.

[@okpeace4687]

The heavy weapons dialects was so cool

[@automatticcomics]

Used to draw it on my school books when I was 11. I recorded the final two eps as was away on a school residential. Many years later I bought a life size deal of the Daleks prop. N used it for charity events. Great ep. Love the history.

[@brettsalter3300]

Garbage bins and flower pot saucers? It really is amazing how these creatures ruled the universe! Kudos on beautiful illustrations Gavin, and another wonderful episode makes my weekend.

[@frankshailes3205]

I've seen the Deadly Dustbins on Dr Emu, they're terrifying!

[@goblin457]

I had no idea it was the original prop in Asylum 😲 you learn something new everyday

[@moxxin5590]

This is probably one of my all time favourite dalek designs, thank you dalek 63•88

[@aukondk]

Love the SWD. It along with the Imperials turn up in the Tokyo levels of Dalek Attack, the video game from the early 90s.

[@CosmicToys]

Great video as usual. I see you used my photo of the Target novelisation I have for sale. I'm more than happy for you use it, it feels like I have contributed in a tiny way to the episode

[@inspector2363]

The original SWD could have been stationed on Davros' escape craft as a bodyguard & escaped with him.

[@timothybarnett1006]

Given the shuttle's size & shape the amount of Daleks that exit it has always puzzled me on a subconscious level. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@DeathbyProxy]

I never really liked the 'special weapons Dalek' as a kid, I always thought it was a bit silly looking and was confused as to how it could see without an eye, but this video has given me a new apreciation for it

[@ianscales4347]

Amazing to think with the relative pennies they had back then, they came up with inspiring designs. Later, we were given the New Dalek Paradigms. 😂

[@eonetim]

Excellent as ever. Love that the book diagrams have blue halftone pattern like the '83 Technical Manual. Special mention to Graeme Allan for the music which was so reminiscent of remembrance 💜

[@Fearyourown]

Fascinating insight very enjoyable. Remembrance of the Daleks was my first ever introduction to doctor who and I’ve been hooked ever since Like you the special weapons dalek has always been my fave dalek

[@dragonzilla6482]

I remember seeing Special Weapons Dalek at the Blackpool Exhibition many years ago back in 2005 and seeing it again in Cardiff a few later, not to mention remembering getting excited on hearing it’s a return in Asylum of the Daleks only to be very disappointed at its brief blink and you’ll miss it moment.

[@raybearoz]

Awesome work mate.. Anyone who highlights the great work done in the late 80's deserves all the praise

[@dreamcastfan]

Another great video. I love the Cyberman hands flicking through the Dalek book, probably looking for tips on defeating them! 😂

[@glenchapman3899]

I remember back in the day being at what we would now call a watch party and that special weapons Dalek rumbled into view. There was almost a collective bowel motion when we all saw it. The serial is also special for showing a Dalek climbing a set of stairs for the first time.

[@danielWhoL]

Thank you again for a fantastic video on the Special Weapons Dalek(s). Remembrance is such a great story, amazing all of the VFX work that was carried out along with Dalek refurbs and new Imperial props. Then Stuart Brisdon went one further with the SW Dalek.😮 Amazing work!

[@Darren79]

Fantastic video, chaps!!👏 Great to see yet more behind the scenes footage! The scale of the Dalek shuttle has long bothered me - I usually subscribe to the dimensionally transcendental option even if it doesn't really make sense😁 It's such a shame about all the wobbling!

[@GrymsArchive]

@ 07:42 This brings all new meaning to that old Dalek joke: How do you get away from a Dalek? Use stairs Or in this case, a small ramp!

[@Charlie_Duz]

The SWD reminds me of one those celebrities that can't find work, but years later ends up presenting Channel Five shows about rail or canal journeys. Or in a real Marigold Hotel. God forbid it ends its days on QVC selling Lulu's 'Timebomb' moisturiser. 👾

[@zaconthemonster8222]

Even though I wasn’t born at the time for this dalek it made a ever lasting effect for me to make it my favorite

[@Asphalt2005]

Damm, this is nostalgic. Even the soundtracks

[@OtaKing77077]

What an absolutely fascinating channel this is. Also, congrats on getting your excellent work in the Dalek book! That shot of the shuttle landing is probably my favourite shot in all of Doctor Who and was absolutely amazing back in 1988 when I saw it air.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@peterharrington7523]

Can't get enough of these episodes. 😊 I did see The Special Weapons Dalek in Llangollen and again at Blackpool,I think he had an Emperor casing there too and a Mechanoid up on high ( obviously not origin. Superb exhibitions. So nice to hear you produced the artwork for the ships in the book and the Eaglemoss figurine. 💖 I'm sure there is,I hope,a remote control 12" version out there of the SWD,now that would be amazing to have. Cheers for your work. 💖

[@zaconthemonster8222]

This dalek has always been my favourite

[@richardmattocks]

Another tour-de-force! Always loved the SWD, thanks for giving it some love. 80’s Dalek episodes suffered from budget but they really went all in 😎

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Excellent job 👍 👏 👌 🙌 😀 💪

[@ObviouslyKieran]

Remembrance is easily my favourite Dalek story of all time and it's great to have a fan and editor of the prints clarify the BTS of this unique model.

[@Gigas0101]

9:42 I could imagine the Special Weapons Dalek being given more of a brutish, rough personality thanks to this shot. Some sort of crass exchange between the Dalek being jolted out of the way and the Special Weapon lad. "SHIFT YOUR-SELF, DA-LEK OB-STA-CLE!" "GET BACK HERE YOU MU-TANT TOSS-ER!"

[@PaulDavies4]

Awesome video thank you. I'd just turned 9 when Remembrance came on tv, and it brings back great memories.

[@irritatedandhungry2796]

Awesome stuff dude! This was my favourite Dalek as a kid, and I have no idea why but I still love it to pieces. Have you considered doing more stuff separate from the Daleks? There’s a whole wealth of the show out there desperately needing your thorough eye!

[@Dalek6388]

We have done a few not Dalek related... Movie Tardis, Mechanoid, Human Doctor. But I'm sure we will do others too.

[@gharman7571]

@@Dalek6388 Mechanoid or mechonoid? 😉

[@warpskell3299]

Just wanted to say that I rediscovered my love for Dr Who after watching a bunch of your videos. Been away from it for over a decade but now currently going through all the classic episodes that i've never seen and having a blast, thanks 👍

[@jamieolberding7731]

Dalek 63•88 18.1K subscribers The Special Weapons Dalek is awesome. It's a shame he isn't given more onscreen appearances. Since your channel does a history on Dalek related topics, could you please include Dalek Spacecraft models/props/set interior design history (start off with the "Doctor Who" classic series Dalek spacecraft) too?

[@connorclark3661]

7:57 not quite the same, but I remember one of the first times I thought "I should really keep a dream journal" involved daleks taking over my school. They set everyone to work on some cartoonishly big vats containing a frothing, glowing green liquid, (think joker origin story), before everyone rebelled and threw their leader into it. Said leader looked like one of the Louis Marx toy daleks, coloured blue with a green eyeball instead of an eyestalk. I've no idea why I dreamt that. Probably best not to look into it!

[@daleknut1]

Thanks for the early Christmas present

[@obsidiancurse429]

I remember my younger self being blown away by how cool the new imperial Daleks looked and the SWD was just the icing on the cake. Anyone who read the novelisation knew how appropriate it was to see the SWD in the asylum 👍

[@andypocalypse]

this was the first TV episode (the one where the dalek chases Silvester up a flight of stairs) that I remember ever watching as a kid and I was hooked! not on Dr who (sort of) but on Daleks... the design is just amazing and watching two factions fighting against each other was fantastic... still my fave serial (I watched genesis later in life but love this one more) and I love that they brought the "Abomination" (special weapons Dalek) into the new series :)

[@TheBillPodcast]

Another glorious video, thank you guys so much for sharing such gold! Love the Special Weapons Dalek and how fantastic that it still survives!

[@Clay3613]

The Galileo Shuttlecraft in Star Trek TOS wasn't fullsize either, it looks fairly big outside but the inside was a separate set. The seats almost on the ground to fit the actors without seeming undersized.

[@andreykuzmin4355]

What a glorious up-gunned racist pepperbox. Thank you for showing the magic behind the scenes of the old-Who!

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Excellent...I was on my way to Coleraine this morning to collect the Genesis and Destiny sets from B&M and was thinking it's about time Dalek 63 88 released a video and hey presto my wish was granted

[@Dalek6388]

Perfect timing!

[@sianeize]

Fun fact I’ve been to one of the locations where the special weapons Dalek was filmed

[@Ginger_FoxxVT]

Always been my favorite Dalek

[@LukeNyul]

Excellent work as always guys! I love the Special Weapons Dalek and I'm glad it was the original prop used in Asylum of the Daleks! I also understand why they had to use a different from for The Magician's Apprentice as I'm glad it gave the Special Weapons Dalek a line at last!

[@johna5635]

Ah.... "M.D.F" - Medium-Density Fibreboard! That's a phrase which takes me back (along with 'Vac-Forming' and Styrene Glue) to my days at St. Albans Art College which had one of the premier Model-Making courses in Britain at the time - Dr Who Special Effects guru, Matt Irvine was a regular visiting lecturer there!

[@TheLoneDalek2021]

One of my all-time favourite Dalek designs. 😌🙌🏻

[@Larry]

Great video. Surely it has to be THE most popular Dalek varient in all of Doctor Who?

[@projectdalekmark]

Prints arrived! They're beautiful thank you!

[@OrionCenturion]

I met Sylvester McCoy at comic con this year and we talked about the special weapons Dalek. He said they called it the Rambo Dalek on set

[@sillypookmonster]

I remember going to Space Adventure with my nan and being absolutely terrified by being up close to the Special Weapons Dalek. Years later I encountered a full scale dalek at MCM London ComicCon and my first thought was surprise at how much shorter they were than I remembered.

[@coecludd]

Really informative. Thank you.

[@paulnash9851]

Great video ! Thank-you, I’ve always loved the SWD ever since I first saw the original broadcast of ROTD (yes I’m old ! ) Love the parts in the novelisation too about “The Abomination”

[@ratheonhudson3311]

I truly love history like this. Well documented and clearly explained. I always wondered about Dalek variations. Also good thinking on their part to use materials found around to make a unique design

[@Dalek6388]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lepterfirefall]

Wow....a bin....these prop makers where geniuses.

[@Cybermat47]

By his own admission, Steven Moffat ‘wimped out’ with the classic Daleks in _Asylum of the Daleks_ and wanted to fix that in _The Magician’s Apprentice_ Say what you want about him, but Moffat is humble and smart enough to acknowledge his mistakes.

[@VortexJae]

I always find your videos so intruiging and insightful! I've always loved learning about behind the scenes info in media, particularly Doctor Who and your videos really are just amazing and next level; Learning about the minute specifics of various props and other details. I just love it so much and gives me an even deeper level of respect and love for this amazing programme and it's production through the years. Thank you for the work you put into your videos because I can tell you it's 100% worth it! I could honestly go on for ages explaining why I love your content but I feel I already have haha, Thank You!

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@cujoedaman]

9:50 I like to think the special weapons Dalek was just the 'brute force' type and he's just going to push anyone out of his way to get his mission done :D

[@MoosesWorkshop]

Good research! Well done.

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@TheMelloyMan]

Fantastic video, so glad to have yall back :0

[@stuff31]

it's time to break out the special weapons!

[@VerityShush]

18:00 MR LAMBERT! That's my old English teacher! I know him, I saw him a fortnight ago!

[@simes0161]

Well, another classic that meant my eyes couldn't leave the screen - love these :) Thanks SO much :)

[@DouglasParkinson]

The bronze Dalek shell is my favourite, but the special weapon Dalek is a close second. I do like the reimagining into the bronze aesthetic. Were I to ever make a replica Dalek to use at events, I would go for some flavour of SW Dalek. It's just so visually different to the others seen at cons, etc.

[@misatokitty76]

There were Renegade Special Weapon Daleks in one of the old DWM comics... Nemesis of the Daleks? Where 6 spirits Davros away from execution on Skaro and delivers him to Spiridon, and he builds his Imperial army from the 10,000 frozen Daleks there. The main Dalek army brings a couple to Spiridon when they go hunting Davros with 7, Benny, and Abslom Daak.

[@wisconsinfirenerd]

Fascinating video. Great work!

[@thomasgrove2724]

Truly a standout variant. Maybe whenever the next Dalek redesign rolls around, we can get another one of these

[@cawleygamma]

I work in a DIY store and have put out hundreds of those black garden bins over the last nearly 30 years. Only today do I see how obviously it’s the neck part of the Special Weapons Dalek! I can’t believe I didn’t realise before!

[@bigredjanie]

Oh wow, I've owned that Dalek book for a while but I had no idea you worked on it, that's amazing! I love those kinds of reference books for fictional media, and I'm glad they're still being made in such detail.

[@marktaylor4674]

Great video. Nice to see the Special Weapons Dalek again. My favourite Dalek.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I really wish when Remembrance was aired on tv I had been aged 25 or even older that year instead of only nineteen years old

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

This video is so exciting I think my shrellic gland has become overactive!

[@fatcat8033]

Great video . Excellent work 👌

[@vinny142]

8:30 "Daaaalek command, we haaaaave a problem..." "Repoooort" "There iiiis a small piece of plywood on the grouuuuund. Cannot proceeeeed. Cannot proceeeeed."

[@sbatty65227]

A fantastic video on such an iconic dalek.

[@philwebb8049]

Just Wonderful! I absolutely love this Channel - thank you!

[@Dalek6388]

Glad you like it!

[@timecircuits88]

I saw the original prop at The Experience in Cardiff, I fan boyd a bit, as it's still my favourite Dalek, followed by the British WW2 Daleks from new who, even though they're not actually anything special (like the special weapons Dalek is) I love the paint scheme (British Army Green is a favourite colour of mine) and the little Union Flags for the ID plates. I'd like them to repeat the success of the special weapons Dalek with an equally unique and special Dalek. Also I loved your video. Extremely eye opening and informative. I learnt new things today 😁 thank you. The video of the SWD bumping into another Dalek was brilliant, I love behind the scenes and deleted scenes videos. You get to see a different side of the show. It's like seeing 'Spock' laugh and joke with the cast and crew, and queuing up for lunch! 😂 Nice job buddy. I'm gonna hit that Sub button 👍

[@Dalek6388]

Thank you!

[@Gzeebo]

Amazing work! Thank you. I've always loved the Special Weapons Dalek! Also obviously all the appearances of the Special Weapons Dalek are actually the same individual. How? Timey-wimey.

[@daniellafferety4025]

I like the new dalek with the retractable balls. In the base that reveals rockets ready to launch.

[@Wuggyboobeaufuf138]

Great video. Love the SW Dalek and its backstory in the Target is a nice treat. I really need one of those figures......

[@BlueMSX.]

Great Video, love the Special Weapons Dalek!

[@e-convoy1783]

This is great to see... Maybe for a milestone, do a history of the original Dalek story and how it evolved during production. As well as how the designs had evolved since their initial appearance!

[@nigelh3253]

Congratulations! Great research into the history of this prop. An enjoyable watch!

[@Dalek6388]

Glad you enjoyed it