K9 Diaries - How It All Began

Manchester, Doctor Who Up Close Exhibition in the Museum of Science and Industry  21-Apr-2007

K9 is a project I’ve wanted to build since I was a young lad, ever since the first time I saw him appear on Doctor Who. I even wrote to the BBC asking them to send me plans so that I could make one of my own, but all I got back was a Doctor Who postcard, still at least they replied! Lack of plans didn’t stop me from making small models from balsa wood and even a head (about half scale)but not having the capability to see it through the projects got shelved along the way.

Looking back as I'm gathering pictures and info of my K9 adventures, I realise I started this build, and have been gathering parts since back in 2007! Where does the time go?

Blackpool 2007

I think picking the K9 project up again may have rekindled after we were winding down our Robot Wars activities in favour of doing something less destructive and more constructive.

Back then I had put together a basic CAD model, and made the head pattern ready to start making the fibreglass mould, but something halted my progress.

There were a few more abortive attempts to build K9, but there was something missing, I think it was the commitment to carry the project through, something that isn't my strong suit, I need to have a goal and a time-scale or a project flounders. 😝

Also there was going back to university to get first a foundation degree and then a degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as other distractions.

I also got very enthusiastic about making an R2D2 and put a lot of effort into modelling the body and having the part CNC cut, as well as spending quite a lot of cash on a set of skins and a dome, a lot of resin bits and pieces, and some circuit boards for the flashing lights in the dome. However this project has also floundered., again there was no goal apart from the build, so if things get tough, it's easy to get distracted and there is no real consequence halting if there is no plan. Perhaps when K9 is up and running I should go back and finish this one next?