SCAFFOLDING NINETEEN SIXTY FIVE!

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A few weeks ago Alan Barnes (senrabnala.bsky.social) suggested I take a look at the metal, scaffolding like, frames that appear in a number of Sixties stories. A past Doctor Who Magazine editor and Big Finish script editor, Alan’s credits are so long and varied who am I to refuse 😀. And then Daleks Master Plan 1 and 3 came back and it felt like the Universe was telling me I had to do it. Looking into their use, they seemed to only appear briefly during the mid Sixties. But for a short time in the middle of that decade they were very popular indeed. In fact, had Ian Chesterton been around I’m sure he would have exclaimed - SCAFFOLDING 1965!

THE DALEKS MASTER PLAN PRODUCTION DOCUMENT

The frames are probably best known as appearing in The Daleks Master Plan. Above is a design document created by Ray Cusick showing the specifications of the frames. However Master Plan wasn’t the scaffoldings first appearance because….

OUT OF THE UNKNOWN : TIME IN ADVANCE, 1965

…beating The Nightmare Begins to screen by almost two weeks was this episode of SF anthology Out of the Unknown. This was broadcast on the 1st of November, 1965.
THE DALEK’S MASTER PLAN, 1965

For Master Plan the frames appear in the reception area on Kembel and in the Dalek pursuit ship. According to this fantastic video from the mighty Dalek 63.88 one of frames is also in the studio for The Feast of Steven.
OUT OF THE UNKNOWN: THIRTEEN TO CENTAURUS

In December 1965, while Master Plan is still on screen, they are back for another Out of the Unknown. This closes out a busy couple of months for the frames. 
THE POWER OF THE DALEKS, 1966

After prominently appearing at the end of 1965 it is twelve months before they are back on our screens. Power was broadcast during November and December 1966.
THE UNDERWATER MENACE, 1967

And finally, at the beginning of 1967, just a couple of months after Power, they make their final appearance that I am aware of. 
THE DALEK’S MASTER PLAN, 1965

I think for me these frames will always be associated with The Dalek’s Master Plan. So what better way to finish this post than with the Guvnor himself, Mr William Hartnell.




















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