mverta said:
I think it has nothing in common with the Dalek aesthetic. This is not unmistakably, instantly and recognizably, "Dalek." It features organic, sweeping shapes and smooth contours; not ruthlessly utilitarian and menacing forms. Would be good for some sea-based creatures, or slimy, bubbly aliens; insectoid...something along those lines.
I can see where you're coming from regarding the 'utilitarian' elements of Dalek design:
Whilst it would make sense, if you were relaunching them in 2005, to have a Dalek style or aesthetic, I'm not sure - from the photos above - that we can say that this is something that any previous production team had actually stuck to.
During the Hartnell era, Dalek interior architecture remained consistent (largely because many set elements were reused and only slightly redressed between each appearance and many stories shared the same designer):
Once you get to the Troughton era however, anything goes:
Don't get me wrong, I love Derek Dodd's designs for "Power of the Daleks" especially - to bring us back to the subject of spaceship exteriors - the Dalek's Capsule:
At eighteen feet long, even now, it's an impressive design and - to return to Mike's point - it is utilitarian and menacing. However, it cannot be said to be representative of a design which says "Dalek"; none of their ships looked the same...
So, set against that background, is
the Revelation Ship really so inconsistent compared to what went before or came afterwards?
If it is inconsistent, I'd suggest it is because of the yellow and red colour-scheme; Dalek ships do seem to be mono-chrome - whether that be silver or (post 2005) bronze. I don't think it can be said that it's inconsistent with Dalek design because it has curved surfaces either; so too did this four foot diameter, six foot long masterpiece:
Where I do agree with Mike regarding the ship from "Revelation" is that it would be better suited to an underwater environment where streamlined shapes are important; in the vacuum of space, there's no reason for a ship to be streamlined - if you're competent enough to build an interstellar craft (and want to make it suitable for landing) you'd have the where-with-all to make it capable of a controlled descent into a planet's atmosphere without the need for a heat-shielded, aerodynamic hull.
Yes, the ship from "Revelation" lacks menace. I think that's partly down to the design (and slightly odd colour-scheme) but is also due to its scale - that's its real problem; its simply too small to be impressive. However, I'm not really sure that a Dalek ship has a particular aesthetic....
Who was it who said that "change is the only constant"? Maybe the Daleks periodically get the decorators in!
T
Revelation of the Daleks Space Craft 01.jpg
Revelation of the Daleks Space Craft 02.jpg
Revelation of the Daleks Model Craft 02.jpg
Revelation of the Daleks Model Craft 03.jpg
