Inside an original BBC 1960s Dalek

Have a look inside this original BBC Television Doctor Who Dalek with main parts dating back to 1963 and 1965. It faced EVERY Doctor between 1963 and 1988.
Watch as it's taken apart, section by section, plus learn about it's fascinating history and where you can see it now.
No copyright infringements intended. Credits given during and at the end of the video.
This is a fan-made video celebrating the genius of those who made the 'Classic' series of Doctor Who in this, the 60th Anniversary year of the show.
PLEASE NOTE:
Note: The Doctor Who display at Beaulieu's National Motor Museum (which I mention at the end of this video) has now ended. However, my replica Genesis Dalek is still there, between 'Bessie' and Sarah Jane Smith's Austin Metro in the 'Screen Cars' area at the Museum.
Want to see this Dalek's appearance in 'Genesis Of The Daleks'? Check out the Doctor Who KZbin site here:
• Meet the First Daleks!...
Excellent DVD versions of 'The Chase' and 'Remembrance Of The Daleks' have been produced by BBC Worldwide and issued by 2 entertain Video Limited. They are widely available, including here at the official BBC shop:
shop.bbc.com/collections/doct...
And don't forget the excellent official Doctor Who KZbin channel: / @doctorwho

[@daverei1211]

Thank you. As a child in the 1960’s I remember my brother and I hiding behind the couch terrified when the darleks came on. Thought with the more modern Dr who, they’ve sort of become Star Wars storm troopers than monsters.

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Thanks for commenting. Yes, I'd be hiding behind cushions, but I'd never leave the room!! 🙂

[@simonc3177]

My Dad was a scenery shiftier at the BBC in the early 60s. When I was 4 he took me to the Dr Who studio and I was up close to daleks and saw the interior Tardis scenery. A day of excitement for me, but the end result was that it demystified Dr Who for me completely!

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Thanks for commenting Simon. Indeed, Terry Nation had a rule that the Daleks should never be seen disassembled, giving away their secret. Sadly the rule didn't last too long.

[@vampiremonkeyonspeed]

This is really interesting and I hate to be "that guy" but "the chase" was in the middle of the Hartnell era, before Patrick Troughton

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Hey! Don't worry. You're absolutely right! I wasn't working from a script, so a few facts slipped by me. I hadn't noticed that really obvious one until you pointed it out. As you say, 'The Chase' was a Bill Hartnell story. Thanks for commenting.

[@robcaiger1781]

Thank you, Chris. This was fascinating. I was born in 1963 & was told I watched the first Dalek episodes with my mum. I do remember “Remembrance…” though. What a joy to find out some of the first Dalek was in that special story. I found more joy in your video than I am in the current series. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

You're very kind Rob. Much appreciated.

[@kennethlogan459]

This was absolutely fascinating! You really must show more of these beautiful props from the show history. Thank you for saving these beautiful works of art for future generations of Who fans.

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Thankyou so much Kenneth. Very kind comment. I'll be doing more videos once I'm over a few health issues. Getting old's not as fun as I thought it might be!

[@kennethlogan459]

@@TheChrisBalcombe We're all growing old ! Lol. Hope you're feeling better soon .Looking forward to seeing your next video upload. 👍

[@guynewmountain1909]

Fantastic, informative film Chris - as a reallY thorough and methodical breakdown of each part, this has to be the ultimate, definitive video record of that first historic middle Shawcraft section! - I saY that, of course, as proud owner of the tinY 'L'-shaped Dalek 1 fragment removed bY necessitY from the perished gunbox section during the prop's restoration in 2010. It was sold to me in 2015 bY Matt Doe of Toybox Treasures/Reliquary, who also created the most wonderful 'bespoke' retro tv film can case to house both the fragment itself and a crucial letter of provenance signed bY the great Mike Tucker, the man who removed it.

[@ponchoman49]

Wow that was really interesting and informative. Its amazing this prop survived this long

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Many thanks indeed for your kind words

[@Tolkaia]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@reebsvids]

I was lucky enough to have Dalek 1 at home for a week back in 1981. It was to be used at our local school fete, and as we lived very close to the school it was delivered to us for safe keeping. According to the gurus at the Dalek68-88 website it was the top of Dalek 1 and the skirt of Goon 2, a later built series prop. I has 13 at the time and spent the day of the fete inside it operating the dome, plunger and ray gun to the sounds of the Dalek speeches I had edited on to cassette tape from the BBC Records release of Genesis Of The Daleks LP. I’ve still got pictures of me with it, both standing beside and sitting in the skirt section like Davros. Then a few years on, the same top section (Dalek 1) now coupled with Skirt 7 appeared in the Five Doctors. I’m told the skirt section of Goon 2 which it was married to when it was with us, was used as the exploded base in the Five Doctors where you can see the creature inside. I must get down to Beaulieu to see it once more, 43 years on! Great video Chris, many thanks for uploading it.

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Hi Paul (I think it's you after seeing some 1981 pics of you in 1981 on Dalek 6388's site!). What a great memory! Thanks so much for sharing it. I haven't been able to upload a new video changing the end information. Unfortunately it's no longer at Beaulieu. The display, with a Tardis, the Whomobile and Bessie came to a close. My replica Genesis Dalek (see my other videos) remains, with Bessie and Sarah Jane's Metro, as Lord Montagu felt it looked 'more original' than 1-7! But if you're down this way, get in touch with me and I can arrange a private viewing. I'm easily found on Google and on social media. Thanks again for your lovely story.

[@blakesheaven8393]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Chris. I was talking about your Dalek only the other day with customers here at the shop.... Now I can show them too! Thankyou 😀😀😀

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

You're very kind. I think I need to speed up a little on the next one!

[@jamestschaikowsky3072]

Thank you! This brought back so many happy memories of growing up in the 60's and 70's. Even though it was of course experienced hiding behind a sofa. An amazing piece of history!

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Many thanks James. Sorry it's a bit slow in places. It's my age! I'll never be a social influencer earning millions!

[@chrischatfield8550]

WooWsa I found that mesmerising ......Thank You ...........great history and Brilliant its survived and in such a beautiful state now 🙂

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

You're very kind Chris. It's a little slow. But I'm not one of those bright young Social Influenzas 🙂

[@awesomedude255]

This was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this piece of history. Do you have any close up photos of the different bits that you could possibly share?

[@tycandappa9829]

Walked past this at the motor museum :0 Had no idea what a historic piece it was!!!!

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Glad you saw it in Beaulieu. I wanted it to be seen, not locked away like so many props in private collections.

[@Marley854]

Great video, thanks for giving such a detailed look at the prop! It would be great to see the Robots of Death head you mentioned if you do more videos showing your collection

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Many thanks for commenting. Yes, I realise now I should have started recording every decent prop while I had it. Happily the Voc Robot head, and top tunic/chest-back plates are still with me, so that'll be the next video.

[@lizmerrett1111]

Awesome Chris please do make loads more about props it's amazing t.o see the inside Great job and thanks

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Thankyou Liz. Will do!

[@MartinFutter70]

Lovely story and great hearing the history of this lovely prop... please show more

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Many thanks Martin. Hoping to do the Robots Of Death head next. Best wishes to you.

[@owenrichards1418]

Thank you for telling us about this!

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

It's no longer on public display Owen, but at least via the internet, people can still see it. Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed seeing the prop.

[@craigwilliams6734]

Absolutely fascinating Chris! FYI, out of the four original Daleks made by Shawcraft, two Daleks had the two rows of globes 1/2” higher at the back…I have no idea why this happened. This was also the case with the film daleks and later TV props. I am a bit confused about the middle section because these props originally had aluminium straps/belts on spacers to “hold off” from the body. PS: The old Shawcraft building is still there at 69, Rockingham Road in Uxbridge which I sometimes drive past!! 😜

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Hi Craig. Thanks for commenting. The mid-section metal band is still there, probably with the original wooden spacers. But for 'Remembrance', they chose to put dark grey foamex into the gap, to match the other newer-build Daleks look. That's why it looks like a solid band. Hope that helps :-)

[@craigwilliams6734]

@@TheChrisBalcombe Cheers Chris, that all makes sense now…you are a very lucky man indeed! I am planning to build my own Dalek next year in between the Lambretta projects!! (And life in general!!). ATB - Craig

[@projectdalekmark]

Thank you, Chris, for this fantastic video. Did that polyurethane plunger do the trick? If you need the correct bell shaped plunger for his remembrance appearance just let me know. I'm overjoyed you have one of my plungers on a magic pice of history. I hope to get a pair of of my resin beakers on the first film drone prop JK's just done a Fantastic restoration of, too. If you ever get the time could you send me a picture of classic monster with your new plunger on. I'd love to see it. Interestingly the bottom plywood return on the shoulders there are not the original but put in place for 'The Five Doctors'. You'll notice it follows the interior of the bands & not the fibreglass shoulders as per the originals. This was likely due to the original Shawcraft wood being chewed up beyond repair with the locating pegs damaging it. The new plywood is screwed directly to the shoulder bands which also gives the prop extra height. The neck may also be a complete swap from a goon. At least I think it is...

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Hi Mark. 1-7 is currently sporting your excellent copy rubber plunger! Plus I found another original 1960's version which an elderly couple had bought back in 1963!

[@projectdalekmark]

@@TheChrisBalcombe Blimey! Keep that one safe. Out the sunlight is best. I'm on the hunt for a 70's cone shaped plunger. I do have a cast to copy from but I'd still like to own my own.

[@exewingfundraisers883]

Great video, very infprmative, thank you for making and showing it.

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

Very kind. Thankyou 🙂

[@TomWright025]

Thank you for this video, very interesting

[@TheChrisBalcombe]

You're very kind. I think I should have given it a bit more pace. It's my age!