The Doctor Who 5.5 inch scale Reconnaissance Dalek, from the 2019 New Years Day episode Revolution, was released in March 2020 and is part of a four figure general release wave - the first wide spread wave release since the last Toys R Us figures. The Dalek is packed alongside figures of Graham O'Brien, the Judoon Captain and the 13th Doctor.
Packaging 3/5
This new 2020 wave comes with new packaging, albeit using the same design principles and colours as the more recent B&M releases. We have a shaped blister card with the new series Doctor Who logo atop. The backing for the figure is the grey lined artwork of the TARDIS and this wraps around the right hand of the blister. The Dalek blister is deeper than other figures and therefore we get to see the double doors of the TARDIS in this side insert along with the blue call for assistance panel.
The character name is also wrapped inside the blister at the base of the figure and names the figure as Reconnaissance Dalek. There is no episode sub heading, instead the sub heading is "Action Figure (5.5"/14cm Scale"). There is a red insert above the character name that confirms the figure comes with a Dalek Mutant Accessory.
The back of the card carries no bio's or story details or text of any kind. Instead we get a checklist of the other releases in the wave via images of each of them - and a look at the 13th Doctor TARDIS that has been released at the same time.
The packaging is not "collector friendly" in a number of factors. It has to be ripped to open the figure, so there is no option to repack the figure once opened. The card is designed to be hung, but the stick on hanging tab is very weak and comes off easily. And if you then wanted to display on a shelf in packaging, the card is shaped so it doesn't sit straight and actually leans forward and to one side.
Paint & Sculpt 4/5
The Dalek stands about the same height as the standard Character New Series Dalek, but this is a brand new sculpt to recreate the scrap built Recon Dalek from Resolution. I wasn't a huge fan of the on screen look, but I applaud the accuracy of the figure to the prop with the various panels and rivets all captured in the sculpt.
The paint work is a deep bronze rust finish with painted silver dry brushing and panelling on top. There is a red behind the neck rings, which would look brilliant lit up, and some blue on the eye piece.
The one criticism is the claw arm which arrive very bent and is not easy to shape back to straight having been so thick. The way it is stuck into the inner packaging wouldn't help the shaping and it is worth trying to see how bad this is before you buy if you have the opportunity to choose your Recon Dalek off the shelf.
Accessories 4/5
The Dale comes with a Dalek Mutant, and this is a brilliant new feature that we have not really seen before - the closed perhaps being the old Mutant Reveal Dalek. The Dalek Mutant accessory is cast in a very rubbery plastic, but it still carries a fair bit of detail with the brain-like texture around the central body and the ridges on the tentacles. Paint work is a bit slap-dash with blues an greens added on the grey rubber body.
It took me a few moments to open up the Dalek body - a feature I knew about from the original press release, yet is not mentioned anywhere on the box. The front panel above the gun and arm is on a hinge and pulls downward to open an aperture in the body. The fit and engineering is very good and the panel is seamless when closed. You can now see why the Mutant is a rubbery body, as the idea is to stuff it into this panel and either have it all the way in or emerging from the Dalek casing.
Articulation 4/5
The Recon Dalek follows the usual level of articulation with an articulated eye stalk, gun arm and claw arm. The eye moves horizontally up and down, while the gun and claw are on ball sockets so have a wider range of movement.
The head and neck can then swivel 360 degrees. And as an added movement to the normal Daleks we have a rotating midsection - as seen in the episode.
The Dalek can be moved with three wheels on the base, two fixed at the back and a rotating central front wheel.
Summary
The Recon Dalek, out of all the figures in the wave, is the only one to be a completely brand new sculpt throughout - and regardless of your views of the design, the figure replicates this really well. The paint job is solid and the articulation as you would expect on a Dalek.
The addition of the Mutant is a nice touch, and the ability to insert it into the Dalek body is both a great display feature, and a great play feature for the kids.
The price, £12.99, is pretty decent value for money in the current market for a 5.5 inch figure, and all in all I score the Doctor Who Reconnaissance Dalek from Character a solid 4 out of 5.
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, doctor who, dr who, dalek, TARDIS, reconnaissance, character options, character toys, 13th doctor, dalek mutant
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