Armadillo

For the Series 6 competitor, see Armadrillo.

Armadillo
Participation Information
UK Series	2
US 1994-1997 Events	1998 (event cancelled)
Team Information
Team Members	Adam Clark David Dempster
From	Romford
Robot Statistics
Power	NiCad batteries
Drive	Dirt Devil RC base
Weapons	Lifting tail
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Armadillo was a featherweight robot from Adam Clark which competed in the Featherweight Championship of Robot Wars: The Second Wars. In its only battle, which was shown as a partial recap in the end-of-series episode The Grudge Matches, it lost the championship to Series 1 competitor Demolisher.

According to an early version of Adam Clark's Dangerous Machines website, Armadillo was first built as a prospective entry for the 1998 US Robot Wars competition in San Francisco. When neither Marc Thorpe or Mentorn's iterations of the event materialised, Clark would end up competing with it in the televised Second Wars instead.

Design

Armadillo in the arena

As its name suggested, Armadillo was a silver robot with an angled front and sides, based on the mammal of the same name. Using a Dirt Devil remote-controlled vehicle as a base, it incorporated NiCad batteries, all-aluminium plating throughout, and an articulated 'tail' as its main weapon. Through the use of a 'Hi-power servo', the 'tail' could move up and down in a similar manner to a conventional lifter, though its capabilities as one were never demonstrated onscreen.

In December 1998, after the second series had been filmed, Clark opted to strip down his previous entry Vector of Armageddon to use for parts inside Armadillo. The chassis and bodywork from Vector of Armageddon would then be used in the construction of Armadillo after Clark decided to merge the two featherweight robots with a view to competing in live events in 1999.

Robot History

Series 2

Armadillo competed in the Featherweight Championship. In the final, which was partially shown as part of the Grudge Matches special, it faced Anarchy, Deadline, Series 1 Heat Finalist Demolisher and The Ripper. According to Team Danby of Deadline, a sixth competitor may have also been part of the fight.

Demolisher lies upside down on top of Armadillo

Armadillo is rammed from the side by Demolisher

Very little was seen of Armadillo in the televised highlights, although its slow speed made it vulnerable to getting rammed by the considerably smaller Demolisher. However, Demolisher drove up Armadillo's side, turning itself over in the process, causing both robots to be stuck together for some time until Sergeant Bash re-righted the former. Armadillo then drove onto the arena spikes, allowing Demolisher to ram underneath it, and was rammed again before the end of the battle. It ultimately lost the Judges' decision - and the inaugural Featherweight Championship - to Demolisher.

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1

Series Record

Main Series	Armadillo Series Record
The First Wars	Entered with Vector of Armageddon
The Second Wars	Featherweight Championship Entered with Corporal Punishment
The Third Wars	Entered with Corporal Punishment Not selected with Bone
The Fourth Wars	Missed qualifiers with Twister
The Fifth Wars	Entered with Wowot
The Sixth Wars	Entered with 259
The Seventh Wars	Did not enter
Series 8	Did not enter
Series 9	Did not enter
Series 10	Did not enter
Robot Wars Extreme	Appearances
Series 1	Entered with 259 (Middleweight)
Series 2	Did not enter

NOTE: 259-Horizontal and The Skinner may have attempted to enter Series 7 and 9 respectively, but this is not confirmed

Trivia

Armadillo in the Pits during the First Wars

Armadillo alongside Corporal Punishment in the Second Wars

• Armadillo was one of three robots to have a name based on the mammal, along with Series 6 competitor Armadrillo and Series 8 withdrawal Armakillo.
• During the start of Corporal Punishment's Gauntlet run in Series 2, Heat F, Jonathan Pearce stated that Adam Clark had "built an Armadillo for his brother and niece". It is likely that this was the robot in question, although Adam Clark was still the one who operated Armadillo on Robot Wars.
• Armadillo was one of only three featherweight robots to be included in the televised broadcast of Series 2, alongside Demolisher and The Ripper. The remaining competitors went unseen.
• Armadillo appeared on the 18 March 1999 episode of Backstage on BBC Choice, where it was flipped around by Facet as high as eight feet in the air. While this was merely a demonstration and promotional activity, Clark said that his robot survived the encounter.
• Despite not featuring as a competing robot, the shell of Armadillo appeared in The Pits during The First Wars. It can be seen in the background of Philippa Forrester's post-Gauntlet interview with the Torque of the Devil team.
• Outside of the Featherweight Championship highlights, Armadillo also made a background appearance during Series 2, being seen placed on top of Corporal Punishment as Richard Broad discussed repairs made to Killertron.