Dr Who and the replica Dalek
When a Shropshire father-of-two was thinking of what to give his young son for his birthday, he came up with something more unusual than most.
"I think we forgot the milk, Doctor," Jason Wardman, of Wellington, with his home-made, shopping-bag carrying Dalek. Picture by Ian Sheppard.
When a Shropshire father-of-two was thinking of what to give his young son for his birthday, he came up with something more unusual than most.
For Jason Wardman, of Wellington, spent several months on painstaking work to build a replica of Doctor Who's arch enemy, a Dalek, for six-year-old Adam.
And it is not the first time the doting dad has turned his creative efforts to putting his skills to the test for his son as last year he built a life-size replica of the Timelord's mode of transport, the Tardis.
His latest model, a copy of a 1960s genesis Dalek, even has a voice simulator, which was made by Colin Smith.
The Dalek can even move like the real thing as it has an electric wheelchair inside, which was bought off eBay and rewired by Graham Braddock, of St Georges.
Mr Wardman, 37, of Admaston Road, said: "Last year I built a full size police box for my son's birthday and this year I have built a Dalek for him."
To see the Tardis story, click here
Adam, had to wait a couple of months after his birthday in December to finally be able to show off his new present because it was not finished in time – and even delayed his party.
But Mr Wardman said: "All the kids thought it was fantastic."
The carpenter said: "There was a lot of fibre glass involved. I was having to learn new skills, that is what delayed me and finding the fibreglass."
He built the Dalek, which is made of fibreglass, MDF and recycling packing ply, in his garage. It is now being stored in his conservatory.
Mr Wardman said the whole family were avid fans of the BBC TV sci-fi series.
He said he would be taking the Dalek along to sci-fi and memorabilia shows, including at the NEC near Birmingham.
The Tardis will also be going along to the shows. It was built using plans Mr Wardman found on the internet.
He said he wanted a little break from making Doctor Who models but was contemplating tackling a replica of one of the Timelord's side-kicks, K-9.
Mr Wardman said anyone who wanted to hire the Dalek for corporate events could contact him on (01952) 415034.
By Lisa Rowley nextpage
Adam, left, and Zak Wardman with their family Dalek
