After extensive examination , blade is flat, blade adjuster is rubbish continually jumps out of slot in blade, tension lever on cap iron is of low quality pressed steel and is not ridged enough to do it's job correctly, scratches on body are my doing removing overly thick japanning, as yet blade has not been sharpened it would have no bearing on this problem, I am going to file the blade bed and this should improve the angle.
Compared to the 1940's model I owned (someone decided they needed it more than I did) this plane will never be the fine instrument that it should, so much for Stanley returning to the quality of old,it is refreshing to know I did not pay the
current retail price