Welcome to Part II of my showcase of custom Dalek figures in my collection created to resemble Daleks in the Intensive Care section of the Asylum in Asylum of the Daleks. These customs are some of the most elaborate in my collection, in the reason why I have held back on publishing these blog posts until now is that, although I am far from finished showcasing my Dalek customs, I have showcased enough of my Asylum customs that I feel the time has come to unveil what is arguably the greatest part of the Asylum Project. These Daleks represent the most insane, damaged and twisted Daleks in the entire Asylum, and as a result I have gone to great lengths to ensure that these customs are the most insane, damaged and twisted Daleks in the collection.
The methods involved to create some of the Daleks in this showcase go above and beyond what has been seen before – the trusty hacksaw is, of course, a staple, as is the hot glue gun. But I had to get very creative with these Daleks, so the list of methods used for each one might get a bit long. After all, these were not created in a day – in fact, some of these Daleks took months to complete. However, some are certainly more difficult than others, and although I would not recommend trying to create these sorts of customs on your first go, I have always reinforced the idea that anyone can create art from the tools they have to hand and the unwanted junk that collects over time.
Custom Skeletal Dalek Casing with Mutant
This custom started out life as a standard mutant reveal Dalek, although the inner housing was needed for another custom. I placed the mutant on top of a flowerpot which I then built the lower half of the Dalek around. I cut the casing up with a hacksaw and used the pieces to construct this partially-disassembled Dalek. Pieces from a Warhammer set were used to hold the neck and dome section upright, and due to the fact that the inner mechanism remains intact, the head can turn 360 degrees. The inner components came from an old computer, mostly old circuitry, although some came from the inside of broken remote control Daleks. Lastly, the wires were from a broken HDMI cable and the entire custom was given several dry-brushing coats of bronze Citadel paint and a wash of black Citadel paint.
Awaiting medical attention in an Asylum reconstitution center, this Dalek mutant twitches and writhes impatiently. Although repairs have been slow, its damaged casing is slowly materialising around it, and it won’t be long before the mutant can get back to the extermination of lesser life forms once again.
Custom Intensive Care Booth Dalek
This custom is a slightly less elaborate take on the Genesis Ark idea, in that the half-pieces of the Ark make great booths for the Daleks that resemble those seen in Asylum of the Daleks. The top half of the Dalek was cut off using a hacksaw – this is a Damaged Dalek Thay figure, once again I am finding ways to use this sculpt in way that creatively hides the backside. I used solder wire to hold the Dalek in place and the insides were filled with tissue paper, plastic and hot glue before being painted over with black paint. The wires came from the inside of an old radio, and an old computer chip was fitted to the inside of the booth to resemble a monitor.
Critically damaged in the Time War, this Dalek is constantly fed nutrients by the Asylum systems – where the nutrients come from, nobody knows, although the Dalek itself hardly cares, as it lacks neither taste buds nor the concept of hunger. However, after decades of these squalid conditions, it does yearn to feast on flesh…
Custom Medical Care Dalek
This custom was created using a Dalek Commander figure as the base, with the wheels and inner mechanisms removed and replaced with an old light switch. The damage to the lower part of the casing was done with a hacksaw and wire cutters, and the insides were replaced with framework from a Warhammer set. The eyestalk is a fake, made with pieces from an Airfix set. The wires came from an old computer and the control panel came from a New Series Davros figure. Lastly, the contraption atop the pillar is part of a bass amp that smashed – I used hot glue to seal the sharp edges. Hot glue was used throughout this custom to keep things in place, and black Citadel paint was used to give the entire custom a black wash. Silver Citadel paint was used in dry-brushing on the Dalek itself.
After being infected with a virus that attacks Dalek flesh, this former Commander was brought to the Asylum for treatment. As it regains strength, it thinks of the Doctor and shudders with hatred. Even if it is cured, this Dalek still suffered a demotion as a result of its defeat – and now it will never reclaim its former title.
Custom Damaged Void Survivor Dalek
This Dalek is one of the few that actually uses its Genesis Ark as a Genesis Ark. The idea behind this custom is that one of the Daleks from the events of Doomsday survived by hiding inside the remains of the Genesis Ark, eventually finding its way to the Asylum. This Dalek was a relatively simple custom to make, the hardest part was cutting the section out of the Genesis Ark to make it look as if it is partially open. I used hot glue to attach the inner framework to the two halves of the Genesis Ark, and the Dalek itself was adorned with wires that are held in place with hot glue. The entire figure was then given a black wash and the ‘globes’ on the Genesis Ark were painted red.
After being cast into the Void by the Doctor, this Dalek managed to escape by hiding inside the Genesis Ark itself, although both it and the Ark were critically damaged in the process. Now languishing in the Asylum, this Dalek can barely remember the quick, heated battle at Canary Wharf – though it does remember the Doctor.
Sacred Icon 