The Doctor Who Information Network, K-9

and Not The BBC Props Dept.

DWIN. is a Canada-based Doctor Who Fan Club that was formed in 1980 and continues to serve Canadian and other fans around the world. The group publishes the Bi-monthly newszine Enlightenment as well as a fanzine of stories written by Doctor Who fans.

As a member of DWIN from 1986 to 2004 I was actively into the newszine. First helping the then editor with typing of articles, assembly of the issues and at the mailing meetings that where held. As the editors left and were replaced I continued to assist in any way I could, eventually becoming the editor of the newszine as well as the President of the fan club itself. Even after my term as editor came to an end I assisted my replacement with design, layout and printing of the newszine.

In 2000 I resigned is a member of the DWIN executive due to the failing health of my father as well as my our personal health concerns. 

DWIN, and the newszine Enightenment continues under the creative talents of the current editor. The club is enjoying a revitalization with the production of a new series of Doctor Who by the BBC.

For more info on Doctor Who or DWIN:  www.dwin.org

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When I was first introduced to Doctor Who it was being shown on TVO (Ontario's version of PBS) and the fans were watching the Tom Baker episodes in which the character of the Doctor had a robotic dog companion called K-9.

Being a geek I said it would be great to have a K-9 unit of my own and my friend Donald challenged me to build one. Using pictures and drawing from book and magazines on Doctor Who we came up with plans for the first attempt and realized that a full size K-9 would be difficult to store or carry to conventions.

Revised plans were made for a 3/4 scale version of K-9 and the shell of the dog was created using metal printing plates from Donald's father's workplace.

Being a replica of K-9 meant that he should be radio-controlled and at first this meant that a cheap r/c car was attached to the base of K-9. (which cause him to lurch back and forth whenever he stopped or started.)

Later revisions gave K-9 a stable base, more speed and maneuverability, radio-controlled tail, neck, ears and nose!

A two-way radio with a microphone in his nose gave me the ability to speak to people across the room and to answer them as K-9 would.

Maintaining and repairing K-9 required many tools and equipment, so once again the geek gene kicked in again and instead of a regular toolkit I built a replica of the toolkit the Doctor carried, complete with as many of the Doctor's tools that I could make. Of course there was a secret compartment for the items I really needed.

K-9 became quite the sight at gatherings and conventions, even meeting many of the guests and eventually ending up with his own Autograph book filled with stars photos signed to K-9.

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In 1987, at Whoparty 8 I walked into the display room and was surprised to find a replica of the control console that the Doctor would use to maneuver his time-space ship. (aka the TARDIS)

Long story short... I spent most of the weekend hanging around the console with it's builder Martin comparing notes on Doctor Who props and effects with my new found friend. By the end of the weekend Donald, Martin and I had decided to form a chapter of DWIN that would concentrate on the props and special effects in the show.

The first incarnation of the chapter was made up of myself, Donald, Martin, Geoff, Steve and his brother Richard. Over the years we lost and gained new members and in addition to the props the group grew to include members who created Doctor Who replica costumes.

In 1989 our group was invited to bring our props to a convention in Columbus, Ohio. By this time the collection of replicas had expanded to include: the console with console room walls, a cybermat, a metablis spider, K-9, the Tardis toolkit, Ace's Blaster Radio, and even a full-size Police box and Dalek.

The 1990s saw the NTBBCPD travel to Chicago for the Visions conventions, setting up at The Ontario Science Center, and a number of smaller conventions in the Toronto area.

The members of NTBBCPD have moved on, some working in the TV/Movie field, others have become artists, authors and fantasy costumers.