Thanks for all the advice. Tried to simulate the circuit with Labcenter Proteus (Prospice engine) and was able to vary the resistor values and see if the transistor is saturated, a model already existed for the transistor in the library.
Will probably try and learn how to use spice to test circuits.
The circuit is a one off to test a concept.

 

The SIM model of a transistor is only for a "typical" one. A real transistor might have much less or much more current gain.
You should design circuits so that most or all of them work properly by using minimum spec's.