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July 31st, 2016 12 comments

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4th / 5th Doctor Console Now on Display at the DWE

Doctor Who Props restoration expert Mark Barton Hill has recently been putting the finishing touches on the BBC’s classic console rebuild.

This console is particularly special because it not only spanned two Doctors (Tom Baker and Peter Davison) But it is also the longest serving console having been used as the main set for the TARDIS interior from 1975-1983, when the classic run of the series was at it’s most watched, making this (for those of a certain age) THE TARDIS!

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It was replaced in 1983 with an updated version for the 20th anniversary story ‘The Five Doctors’ but seen once more in Colin Baker’s era during The Two Doctors, after which it was scrapped.

Mark says that at the time of production, the BBC simply didn’t know that 33 years later thanks to video, DVD and Blue-ray, digital downloads not to mention repeats on ‘The Horror Chanel’ or that the new series would take the world by storm, neither did they know that there would be such a high demand from fans to see the exhibition of such old props and artefacts, so they were simply thrown away.

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Thankfully producer John Nathan-Turner, special effects designer Mike Tucker, myself and Andrew Beech salvaged a few parts, so at least a few of the controls are authentic, which makes it that little bit more special. It has been a labour of love and many years in the making.

Thanks to costume designer June Hudson I have even been able to include Tegan’s flight bag & hat hanging from the actual hat stand – which JNT said came from the show & is period to this console- so it’s all there along with an original roundel in the walls, so it’s not all replica!

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This is the first time this console has been on public exhibition since 1983, when an 8 year old Mark stood in front of it for a photograph at ‘Longleat 83’ ,from that day on he dreamed of bringing this console back, and today his wish came true.

The console is now on display at the Doctor Who Experience upstairs in a special section dedicated to the 50th anniversary celebration and The Day Of The Doctor. It is in this trailer which the console you see here was featured.

You can find out about Tardis Consoles over the years in our extensive section Here.

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12 comments

  • Richard

    September 23rd, 2016 - 8:17pm

    It’s a pity the BBC never thought of selling more props instead of destroying them, would have been another source of income to, and would also have helped preserve more of the history of doctor who and other shows too!!

  • fiona ting

    August 23rd, 2016 - 5:13pm

    it think the control room is great to put in the Doctor Experience in Cardiff in Wale for all the visitor to visit

  • Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey

    August 5th, 2016 - 8:01am

    I’m so glad they have done this, and that the past is not forgotten. These old consoles are just as good as the flashy new ones.

  • Luke Armstrong

    August 4th, 2016 - 11:21am

    THE TARDIS console room! AT LAST!!!!
    THIS is truly magnificent! Such attention to detail and some actual salvaged parts used in there too, it looks JUST like the real thing! WOW!
    Defo going back to DWE to see THIS very soon. (Maybe they’ll get Tom Baker & co down for an event…?)

  • 100,000BC

    August 3rd, 2016 - 1:34pm

    Was there yesterday!! Really loved it, well worth it!!

  • K-9

    August 2nd, 2016 - 5:12pm

    going there next week so look forward to seeing this

  • Anonymous

    August 1st, 2016 - 8:56am

    It so good to see these things being preserved hopefully for all time now

    We have the 1st, 4th/5th and 5th now

    Wouldn’t it be great to these in some future episode

  • The super whovian

    July 31st, 2016 - 9:02pm

    wow I’m speechless

  • Ian

    July 31st, 2016 - 8:02pm

    Wow. That is the console I grew up with. Also if Character ever wanted to make a classic console set it would have to be that one.

  • Martin

    July 31st, 2016 - 7:42pm

    So much thrown away in the past

  • Professor Marius

    July 31st, 2016 - 5:37pm

    Good excuse for another visit

  • Tony

    July 31st, 2016 - 5:35pm

    good to see they managed to retrieve some of the original parts for this

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