Doctor Who fan's dream of DIY Dalek
They are the fiercest, most ruthless warrior race ever to have wielded a sink plunger and an egg whisk in battle.
And now the Daleks are to be brought to life in a labour of love by a devoted fan of long-running science fiction series Doctor Who.
Wolverhampton born electrical, mechanical and software engineer Nick Parry is seeking £20,000 in donations to build a Dalek from stainless steel in his shed at home. People will be able to follow the project online. If he raises £35,000 it will be made from titanium.
It comes as Doctor Who is celebrating its 50th anniversary on November 23 this year.
Nick's project, called Full Metal Dalek, is believed to be the first time someone has attempted to create one of the malevolent pepper pots from metal.
But it will also be automated and radio controlled, allowing people to direct it over the internet as well as have a pilot inside operating it with joysticks.
Nick, aged 36, said: "It's always been an ambition of mine to create a fan-art replica of my favourite alien villain, but back in the 1980s, all I could do is save my pocket money to buy more and more sketchbooks to draw them in, and to sit and wait for them to appear on TV next. As the years went by, my obsession grew deeper and deeper." Nick, who went to CoppiceHigh School in Wednesfield and now lives in Bridgnorth, is seeking donations online through the website Kickstarter, which lets people pledge funding to people's projects.
Nick is pledging that anyone who donates £10 or more will have a picture of themselves, their name, city and country burned by a high powered laser into a special commemorative plaque.
Search online for 'full metal Dalek' for a link to the Kickstarter website.
