IT’S CYBERSHIP SUNDAY!

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This week I take a look at the Cybership from The Invasion. A prop that turns up in four Doctor Who stories (as far as I know) and a couple of other places too. So let’s fire those missiles and dive right in.

JOURNEY TO THE UNKNOWN, 1968

The earliest appearance I am aware of is from this Hammer Films science fiction anthology series. Just the fact this was TV production from Hammer makes me think this is not the origin of the prop/s. It could well have turned up on a film somewhere but as of yet I have not seen it anywhere else.
THE INVASION, 1968

It’s the first Doctor Who appearance, and it’s the ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ cameo as the Cybership at the end of The Invasion. It’s not the clearest of screen grabs. But you can just about see the rectangular blocks and central sphere top left. If you squint. 
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE, 1970

We get a much clearer view of the prop in the next season. However if you compare to the Journey to the Unknown image above, it’s lost its topper and has been displayed upside down.
ACE OF WANDS, 1970

At first glance this prop is not the same as the Cybership prop. However if you look in the middle of this death ray type affair (actually a cure for paralysis I believe) you can see the same sphere as our featured prop. 
THE MIND OF EVIL, 1971

Back to Who, as this time those distinctive blue blocks have had a paint job. Oh and the right way around.
COLONY IN SPACE, 1971

The newly painted prop turns up again in the same season and, as far as I know, that’s the last time we see it in Doctor Who.











 

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