How long have you been
a fan of Doctor Who for? And when did you start building Daleks?
Gordon: It all started back on the very first
Dalek episode I was terrified at what might be behind that plunger. The classic
episodes were my inspiration. The cybermen, the ice warriors and the Silurian's
all great stuff.
The fantastic ring mod
work by Peter Hawkins and Roy Skelton as they master the Dalek delivery, the TARDIS
and the fundamental science behind it all. I just loved it all
One Christmas my daughters
were stuck as to what they might buy me. They decided a little Dalek. I thought
what might it be like to own a full sized Dalek. The seed was sown and the
Dalek I have now, was built. Although back then it was a classic blue and
silver Dalek. The first of 3 as 2 resurrection Daleks followed a couple of
years later. No point in a Dalek that does not talk or have flashing dome
lights. I built my own voice modulator and the Dalek talked..amazing
My favourite Doctors -
Tennant..Eccleston..Smith and Davison. Favourite
Daleks..Classic..Resurrection..Genesis..NSD. Favourite companion..Donna..Clara
Oswald..Rose Tyler..Madame Vastra...that wonderful reptile
How did your Dalek get
to be on the Still Game series?
Gordon: The clip you are referring to was shot
for the Still Game web site not the series. https://www.facebook.com/Still-Game-776319422463604/
Ahh got you. So, I'm
guessing it was your voice off camera being the Dalek and the characters from
Still Game?
Gordon: Yes, the voice overs were mine as well
as the Dalek voice.
It must have taken some
time to assemble the Dalek. Especially the voice box and the flashing to
coincide with the voice. Is it the same size as the original Daleks and can you
ride inside it, or is it operated from outside the casing?
Gordon: It took about 4 hrs a week over a 5
month period to create the Dalek and then another 2 months to create the voice
modulator, the modulator syncs output amp to light so the dome lights flash in
time with the voice. You can get inside all the Daleks I have made and control
them from inside its just convenient to operate them externally. It allows a
better interface with interested people as they can operate it from outside as
well, always a good laugh and allows them to interact.
Have you made any other
Doctor Who props? Aside from this one, have you ever been commissioned to make
a Dalek for anyone?
Gordon: No, I don't do commissioned Daleks I’ve
made them and sold them. But not commissioned.
Other than Doctor Who,
do you make props for any other programme?
Gordon: No, I don't make props for anything
else. My other hobbies are planetary systems again sold and of course Voice
modulators in the earlier days.
Daleks are time consuming
and complex creatures to make. My expertise is in making them I know every
detail of them down to the last mm. I am a Mod at a Dalek building forum on Facebook..Dalek
builders group.
Mostly in the earlier days
they were used for charity or to visit the local hospitals, today sadly Health
and Safety is an issue and it’s not so easy to do that anymore
This has been a
wonderful insight into Dalek Building. Thank you so much for the interview,
Gordon.
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