The Challenges of Building a Dalek: Part 19
Be sure to read the previous parts of The Challenges of Building a Dalek. Since the last update we are still feeling the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, this past week we had another Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nicole. This storm gave Derek the Dalek quite a bit of damage. With two days of solid rain and a day of just wind and rain, the dalek has taken a beating. As dad says he’s got a few battle scars.
On the left side, towards the middle along the joint between panels, a large crack appeared; which could have been caused by the high humidity that we experienced immediately after the storm. Along the front bottom edge, the entire section is peeling and starting to warp. These can be fixed, the crack is already being filled; but for the peeling, we have to wait for it to dry so that we can assess the damage, and from there we will be able to make repairs.
We have discussed that once everything outside is dried up, we are going to move Derek the Dalek inside of the house. It will take a few days before we can make the move. We do not want to take another chance of any more potential damage; the next damage could be worse. For any large attachments, we will cut everything outside and then attach them inside. The dalek will be placed in a well-ventilated room.
Critter Protection
During the storm, our outside rabbit cage had taken a tumble. Moving quickly, we were able to stand the cage upright while still in the storm. With Derek the Dalek standing close by, he naturally rolled and formed a protective barrier for the backside of the cage. Also, during the storm, three baby squirrels were spotted nesting inside as they took protection from the elements. As soon as it was safe, they left the dalek. Daleks might not like humans but they have a soft spot for critters.
Current Design
Currently, the neck is about 10 inches in height; and about 16 inches in diameter. When you add it to the base it stands at 62.5 inches, 1587.5 millimeters, including the wheels. Derek the Dalek is currently a bright hunter green and will be having soul-sucking black hemispheres around the base. We are in the process of looking for another electronic wheelchair to make today’s version of the dalek.
