- "...We didn't have a very good weapon on Lambsy, so we felt that this time we had to put something decent on. Lambsy was strong, tough, it stood up to everything, but it wasn't aggressive enough. So we've gone for Ewe 2, big flipper, and we hope to throw them out of the arena this time!"
- — Ian Lockhart on Ewe 2
Ewe 2, sometimes styled by the team as EWE2, was a heavyweight robot from Team Coyote which competed in Series 7 of Robot Wars. In the main competition, it reached the second round of its Heat, before losing to Tetanus Booster on a close Judges' decision. Ewe 2 also competed in the Annihilator later on in the same series, reaching the third round (although the second round never actually took place).
Design[]
- "EWE2 is much more aggressive than Lambsy ever was. It now has a 300mm stroke / 80mm bore ram running at 12 bar. We have also moved away from 4QD speedos for the very impressive Roboteq. Control and power are much better in this new design!"
- — The team website on Ewe 2
Ewe 2 was a box-shaped robot, powered by 24 volt Bosch motors running on two-stage reduction (10:1) using Roboteq speed controllers[1]. It was created after Lambsy (the team's previous machine) failed to qualify for Series 6, as the team realised that whilst Lambsy was tough and durable, it was not aggressive. The robot had a very strong steel frame with aluminium tread pad panels, but had no armour underneath as it was overweight in the qualifiers, similar to Kronic 2 in Series 6.
Its weapon was a thin lifting arm, with reasonable power, the team claiming that it could flip another robot out of the arena. According to Scott Lockhart, the flipper could do roughly 20 to 25 flips per battle. Ewe 2 also had good pushing power, and curved spikes on the side to stop the robot from being stranded, although these proved ineffective. The weapon, while capable of serving as a self-righting mechanism, was somewhat unreliable, becoming broken in its first fight, and failing to work at all in its second battle. The pipe for the flipper broke in both of Ewe 2's defeats.
Etymology[]
The name Ewe 2 was most likely a pun on the Irish rock band U2, as both are pronounced in the same way. This continued the running theme of Team Coyote naming their machines after sheep, following on from its predecessor Lambsy. Although the robot was styled as Ewe 2 on the TV show, the team consistently styled their robot as EWE2 on their website, aligning more closely with the band name.
The Team[]
- Main article: Team Coyote
Ewe 2 was entered into Robot Wars by Team Coyote, a team with prior experience after competing with Lambsy and Cutlet in previous competitions. Ewe 2 was built by Ian Lockhart, while his son Scott Lockhart captained the team and drove Ewe 2 in battle, also completing most of the team's interviews. During Heat E of the Seventh Wars, Tony Tobbell filled the third position on Team Coyote, whilst Daniel Lockhart took his place in the Annihilator. The mother of Scott and Daniel Lockhart was also present on-screen for the Annihilator as an uncredited fourth member.
Qualification[]
Ewe 2 was initially intended to debut in the Minor Meltdown of Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2. However, it was not finished in time to compete, so Team Coyote entered its predecessor, Lambsy, instead.
Ewe 2 successfully entered Series 7 through attending the qualifiers. It secured its place in the series by winning its qualifier against Araknia, Big Nipper and eventual series champion, Typhoon 2, although all four robots received places in the Seventh Wars regardless.
Robot History[]
Series 7[]
Ewe 2 competed in the first battle of Series 7 to be filmed, fighting the reigning champion and #1 seed Tornado, along with Team A-Kill's Sawpoint 2 and newcomer Devastator.
- "Hope it's better than Lambsy, that was awful!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's main concern
At the start of the battle, Tornado charged at Devastator, immediately making it clear that Ewe 2 would not be the focus of the reigning champion's attention, fortunately for Team Coyote. Ewe 2 drove away, holding back as Sawpoint 2 drove into the back of Tornado. As Tornado pushed Devastator away, Sawpoint 2 turned, and Ewe 2 drove straight at it. Ewe 2 tried to flip Sawpoint 2, but couldn't get its flipping arm properly under its opponent. Ewe 2 tried to get the flipper under the wheels of Sawpoint 2, but Sawpoint 2 turned, hitting Ewe 2 with its saws. Ewe 2 mistimed another flip, missing again, but managed to get the flipper under Sawpoint 2 and lift it up a little. Having pushed Devastator into the arena wall by the CPZ and left its opponent to Mr. Psycho, Tornado came across the arena and drove between Ewe 2 and Sawpoint 2. Ewe 2 tried to get under the side of Tornado and flip, but Tornado drove over the flipper before Ewe 2 could fire. As Tornado drove away, Sawpoint 2 charged at the front of Ewe 2, trying to attack with its saws, but Ewe 2 used its flipper to flick Sawpoint 2 up.
- "Ewe 2, trying to get the lifter in to work there, on Sawpoint 2."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Sawpoint 2 drove away up the arena to where Devastator and Tornado were fighting, and Ewe 2 drove after it. Ewe 2 tried to get its flipper under Sawpoint 2's front wheels, but missed. Sawpoint 2 drove away, attacking Devastator. Ewe 2 held back, until Sawpoint 2 drove to the top of the arena. Off camera, the flipping arm had broken. Ewe 2 started pushing Sawpoint 2, but Sawpoint 2 pushed back, then Devastator drove into the back of Ewe 2. Ewe 2 pushed Sawpoint 2, which reversed, then drove back at Ewe 2.
- "Ewe 2 isn't doing to badly at all, in the arena centre. Once again, trying to get that flipper, just to lift Sawpoint 2"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Ewe 2 pushes Sawpoint 2
Ewe 2 managed to push Sawpoint 2 back, but Sawpoint 2 turned. Ewe 2 drove away down the arena and opened the pit, whilst Tornado managed to push Devastator and Sawpoint 2 to Matilda's CPZ. Ewe 2 drove up the arena to the CPZ, but quickly turned away as Mr. Psycho drove to the CPZ. The two competitors managed to escape the CPZ, but Sawpoint 2 soon lost power, only twitching. Ewe 2 pushed it to the edge of the pit, and after reversing for a charge, tried to pit it, but didn't push far enough. Sawpoint 2, despite trying to crawl away, couldn't get away from the pit, and after a few more nudges from Ewe 2, Sawpoint 2 fell down.
- "Ewe 2, about to push Ewe 2 into the pit... one shove! No, two shoves, though! Come on! Yes, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, Sawpoint 2, hanging on in there momentarily! Great defence! Can he get enough traction just to move away, Sawpoint 2? Ohhh, it's agonising, its... over!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Ewe 2 nudges Sawpoint 2 into the pit
Meanwhile, Tornado was chasing after Devastator, and as Devastator drove into the centre of the arena, Ewe 2 and Tornado combined to push Devastator to the pit, where it was left with one wheel hanging over the edge, as it couldn't properly fall in because it was on top of Sawpoint 2. Ewe 2 gave the final two pushes to finish Devastator off.
- "...two from three remaining machines to go through to the second round of this Heat... oh! Well, Devastator, are they pitted? Not quite."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Devastator is pitted
Cease was then called and Ewe 2 went through with Tornado to Round 2.
In the second round, Ewe 2 fought Tetanus Booster. During Ewe 2's entry to the arena, a pipe powering the flipper flew out, leaving the robot without an active weapon once again.
- Jayne Middlemiss: "What will your tactics be against Tetanus Booster?"
- Tony Tobbell: "Get our flipper under the back of him, and just keep turning him over."
- Jayne Middlemiss: "Well, you're gonna be fine, aren't you? Do you think you'll win?"
- Scott Lockhart: "Uh, there's more than 50% we're gonna win."
- — Pre-battle interview
Both robots started by slowly approaching each other. Tetanus Booster tried to get at the side of Ewe 2, but Ewe 2 turned and tried to get the flipper under Tetanus Booster. Tetanus Booster moved away before Ewe 2 could push, but Ewe 2 followed, ramming into its side. Tetanus Booster turned to avoid its opponent, and drove away across the arena.
- "Well we will be heading off to the Heat Final, "With or Without You", Ewe 2, as they come in side-by-side with Tetanus Booster..."
- — Jonathan Pearce starts making U2 puns in the early moments of the battle
It soon came back, hitting the side of Ewe 2 with the drum, but this did no damage. The two robots turned to face each other, and Tetanus Booster pushed at the front of Ewe 2, before Ewe 2 turned away. Tetanus Booster reversed, then charged at Ewe 2 as it turned around. Ewe 2 turned to deflect the blow of the spinning drum twice in quick succession. The drum slowed to a stop, so Tetanus Booster reversed. Ewe 2 charged at Tetanus Booster as it got its spinner up to speed, and Tetanus Booster reversed away, reversing up the arena.
- "Ewe 2 at the moment, still hasn't found what they're looking for out there, a little push back again, and they'll be fighting from here until New Years Day, unless Ewe 2 can get some sort of control, against Tetanus Booster"
- — More U2 puns as Ewe 2 chases Tetanus Booster
Ewe 2 chased after it, and caught up with Tetanus Booster. Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus Booster. Tetanus Booster's drum was spinning, but despite hitting the front of Ewe 2 a few times, Ewe 2 kept pushing. Eventually, Tetanus Booster's drum ripped a small piece off the front of Ewe 2, so Ewe 2 turned away and tried to get at the side of Ewe 2, but Tetanus Booster reversed up the arena. Tetanus Booster then charged at Ewe 2 with its drum spinning, knocking Ewe 2 back. Ewe 2 turned to face Tetanus Booster, but was hit by the drum again. Ewe 2 steered away from Tetanus Booster, and drove down the arena to hit the pit release button. Tetanus Booster drove after Ewe 2, and hit the front with its drum, but did no damage, then Tetanus Booster reversed up the arena. Ewe 2 drove up the arena after it, and Tetanus Booster reversed into Ewe 2. Ewe 2 turned, and Tetanus Booster pushed against Ewe 2, so Ewe 2 reversed. Tetanus Booster drove at the front of Ewe 2, ripping loose a part of the front.
- "That's the first moment of decision, in this second round battle!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus Booster, but Tetanus Booster reversed. The two continued to push against each other, with Ewe 2 turning to avoid a full impact with its opponents spinning drum. Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus Booster onto a flame jet, and when Tetanus Booster tried to reverse away, Ewe 2 blocked it. Tetanus Booster drove over the flame jet. Ewe 2 quickly drove up to block Tetanus Booster, but Tetanus Booster reversed and turned before Ewe 2 could push it back on the flame jet. Tetanus Booster reversed down the arena, but Ewe 2 quickly caught up with it, and pushed it into the pit release button, pinning it there.
- "I wonder now, if Ewe 2 have them on "The Edge" of defeat!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Ewe 2 pins Tetanus Booster against the pit release button
Tetanus Booster had slowed down considerably and its spinning weapon was not moving, so it could not fight back. Ewe 2 drove up the arena, closely followed by Tetanus Booster, but the drum was not spinning at full speed, so Tetanus Booster could not damage Ewe 2 when it drove into the drum. Ewe 2 pushed Tetanus Booster, then Tetanus Booster limped across the arena as Ewe 2 reversed for another charge. Ewe 2 on the other hand, was still fully moving, and it quickly caught up with Tetanus Booster and rammed it into the arena wall. Tetanus Booster slowly moved away, only for Ewe 2 to push it into an empty CPZ. Sir Killalot came over, and after pushing Ewe 2 with its claw, he got his claw under Tetanus Booster, and blocked its escape. Sir Killalot reversed, and although Tetanus Booster tried to reverse out of the CPZ, it couldn't get away fast enough, and Sir Killalot pinned it against the wall as time ran out.
- "I don't know, I can't pick, it is that close!"
- — Jonathan Pearce reviewing the highlights
A controversial and close Judges' decision went against Ewe 2, sending Tetanus Booster through to the Heat Final, to the disagreement of Team Coyote and Craig Charles.
- Craig Charles: "Don't ask me, I don't make these decisions, what do you think the Judges were thinking?"
- Ian Lockhart: "I reckon they must've gone on the damage at the beginning, but we were a lot stronger at the end."
- Craig Charles: "Yeah, your flipper wasn't working."
- Ian Lockhart: "Yeah, a pipe flew off just as we drove it out there, so we lost that, and then obviously, it was hard from then on, but I thought we'd done enough!"
- Craig Charles: "Very disappointed?"
- Ian Lockhart: "Well, we've done alright, it's nice to come and we enjoy the whole event, but yeah, disappointed to go out at this stage."
- — Post-battle interview
After the battle, Ian Lockhart vented his frustration in an interview with Jayne Middlemiss, showing her the damage, and explaining how it was only superficial as Tetanus Booster's drum only ripped the first layer.
- Ian Lockhart: "They gave us a little bit of damage at the beginning, but after that, I thought we took the fight."
- Jayne Middlemiss: "Was it superficial damage?"
- Ian Lockhart: "Yeah, it's only little panels, it's nothing! You know, it really is nothing! We've got another layer there, that they haven't even got through, here. We've got three layers on the front and they only took off the first layer. So, that's what it's there for, you know, to stand up to these powerful spinners that are coming through!"
- — Ian Lockhart shows Jayne Middlemiss the damage after the battle
Ewe 2 also fought in the Annihilator at the end of the series. It went up against the recent Semi-Finalist Raging Knightmare, Tag Team Terror champion Robochicken, Ripper, US entry Flippa and the reigning Annihilator champion Kan-Opener.
- Jayne Middlemiss: "What are you gonna do out there?"
- Scott Lockhart: "We're gonna have to flip, because the flipper isn't ... it's a little bit dodgy, but it's gonna try and flip."
- Jayne Middlemiss: "How many flips you got per go?"
- Scott Lockhart: "Uh, maybe 20, there's more than 50% we're gonna win."
- Jayne Middlemiss: "20, 25? Sounds pretty good to me, Scott!"
- — Pre-Round 1 interview
At the start, Ewe 2 went straight for Flippa, getting behind it and trying to flip, but failed as the flipper wasn't underneath its opponent properly. Meanwhile, Ripper flipped Robochicken over, and as Robochicken had broken down, it was unable to self-right. Ewe 2 pushed Flippa towards the wall and tried flipping again, but only managed to flick it up a little. Ewe 2 got the flipper back under the back corner of Flippa and flipped again, but once again only managed to flick it up a little. Ewe 2 pinned Flippa against the wall and flicked it up a little. Suddenly, Ripper rushed in behind it, flipping Ewe 2 on top of Flippa. Ewe 2's flipper was still open, and as it was flipped, it landed with the flipper hanging on the arena wall, leaving it stuck.
- "...right against the arena wall is Flippa, underneath Ewe 2! Is Flippa moving?"
- — Jonathan Pearce notices the two robots are stuck together
Whilst the other three robots fought, Refbot tried pushing Flippa to get it out from under Ewe 2, but couldn't free it. Dead Metal came over and pulled Flippa out from underneath Ewe 2, separating the two robots. Refbot counted Robochicken out, as it had been immobilised first, and Ewe 2 rejoined the fight. Ripper got under the side of Ewe 2 and flipped it on its side, and before it could self-right, Kan-Opener started pushing it. Ewe 2 tried to right itself and get out of Kan-Opener's claws, but Kan-Opener pushed it straight into the pit. This did not matter, as Robochicken had been counted out first.
- "...and although the others are now going down in the pit, they'll be okay, to fight another day, as it were."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Ewe 2 is pitted
Ewe 2 was therefore through to Round 2. Before the battle, Scott Lockhart revealed his intention to aim for Flippa again.
- Jayne Middlemiss: "The Annihilator, Scott. You got through Round 1, what was that like for you?"
- Scott Lockhart: "That was scary, 'cause we got caught on the arena barrier, but luckily Robochicken was upside down, we were lucky to get through!"
- Jayne Middlemiss: "What's your tactics gonna be then, in the second round?"
- Scott Lockhart: "I wanna get out the American, Flippa. Yeah, try and get that out, it's got a nasty spinner on the front! Try and get that out first!"
- — Pre-Round 2 interview
However, Flippa failed to enter the arena for Round 2, so they were disqualified and the other four continued. Flippa failed to compete because Ian Lockhart accidentally broke the robot's aerial.
- "The real reason Flippa never made it into the arena for the second round fight was that I pulled his aerial off while we were arming the robots backstage...I was lowering the flipper of EWE2 after gassing up, and his aerial was in the way. So I brushed it to one side to let my flipper down, and his aerial came off in my hand."
- — Ian Lockhart of Ewe 2 (spelling corrected)
The four remaining robots continued, and at the start of the battle, Ewe 2 got under the corner of Raging Knightmare and flipped it over, but Raging Knightmare swiftly self-righted. Ewe 2 tried to drive around the front of Raging Knightmare to attack again, but before it could, Ripper rushed in under the side of Raging Knightmare and flipped it over again.
- "Raging Knightmare taking a bashing from Ewe 2, and overturned by Ripper."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Ewe 2 drove away, then came back as Kan-Opener gripped Raging Knightmare, getting at the side of Kan-Opener, but did not flip and reversed. Ewe 2 drove at Raging Knightmare, but before it could attack, Raging Knightmare self-righted. Ripper got under Ewe 2 and flipped it over, but Ewe 2 self-righted straight away. Ripper mistimed a flip on Raging Knightmare, but then used its flipper to pin Raging Knightmare down and pushed it into Ewe 2, which flipped Raging Knightmare, but this merely pushed it up against Ripper's flipper. Ewe 2 reversed down the arena, and Kan-Opener drove after it. Ewe 2 pushed Kan-Opener into Ripper and Raging Knightmare, Kan-Opener tried to push back, and Ewe 2 flipped it over. This did not stop Kan-Opener, as it was invertible, and Ewe 2 tried to get under the side and flip, but missed as it didn't get the flipper under Kan-Opener properly. Ewe 2 reversed, then drove at Raging Knightmare after Ripper flipped it. Ewe 2 got under the side and flipped it into Ripper, which flipped it over. Ewe 2 got under Raging Knightmare and flipped, but this only flicked it up a little, and Raging Knightmare self-righted. Ripper rushed under the side of Ewe 2 and flipped it onto its side, where Ewe 2 became stuck due to landing on its open flipper arm and being held up by one of its side spikes.
- "Ewe 2 is overturned, I don't know whether they can self-right from there, Ewe 2."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Ewe 2 is flipped onto its side
Ewe 2 tried firing the flipper to get off its side, but this failed. Whilst the other three competitors fought on the other side of the arena, Refbot came over and began to count Ewe 2 out. Meanwhile, Kan-Opener gripped Raging Knightmare in its jaws and pushed it over the open pit, but struggled to drop it in as one of the claws was stuck in the back. Refbot finished counting out, whilst Kan-Opener was unable to drop Raging Knightmare into the pit, so Ewe 2 was therefore eliminated.
- "Ewe 2 is about to go out... OR WILL THEY?! Will they beat the count here as Raging Knightmare topples, has to go down quickly to save Ewe 2! It's a matter of seconds! Ewe 2 or Raging Knightmare? It's Ewe 2! Bang! Gone! Raging Knightmare survives by the skin of their teeth! ... Ewe 2 may well bleat about it, but they're out!"
- — Jonathan Pearce in the last few seconds
Kan-Opener pulled Raging Knightmare off the pit, and Matilda reversed into Ewe 2 with her flywheel, ripping off two of the top armour panels.
- "It was quite a shame, actually, because we did quite well at the start, but the pipe came off, and it just leaking CO2."
- — Scott Lockhart to Craig Charles after the battle
Results[]
EWE 2 - RESULTS | ||
Series 7 | ||
The Seventh Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 2 | ||
Heat E, Round 1 | vs. Devastator, Sawpoint 2, Tornado (1) | Qualified |
Heat E, Round 2 | vs. Tetanus Booster | Lost |
Annihilator Fourth | ||
Round 1 | vs. Flippa, Kan-Opener, Raging Knightmare, Ripper, Robochicken | Qualified |
Round 2 | vs. Flippa, Kan-Opener, Raging Knightmare, Ripper | Qualified (by default) |
Round 3 | vs. Kan-Opener, Raging Knightmare, Ripper | Eliminated |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 2
- Losses: 2
The second round of The Seventh Wars Annihilator, where Flippa forfeited, is omitted from the Wins tally.
Series Record[]
Main Series | Ewe 2 Series Record |
---|---|
The First Wars | Did not enter |
The Second Wars | Did not enter |
The Third Wars | Did not enter |
The Fourth Wars | Did not enter |
The Fifth Wars | Entered with Lambsy |
The Sixth Wars | Failed to qualify with Lambsy |
The Seventh Wars | Heat, Round 2 Featherweight Championship with Cutlet |
Series 8 | Did not enter |
Series 9 | Did not enter |
Series 10 | Did not enter |
Robot Wars Extreme | Appearances |
Series 1 | Did not enter |
Series 2 | Entered with Lambsy and Cutlet |
Outside Robot Wars[]
Since Robot Wars, Ewe 2 was heavily redesigned into a box-wedge-shaped robot with a full-pressure flipper and did very well in the live events. It had done so well it was the top seed for the Roaming Robots Winter Tour 2004, where it reached the semi-finals and lost to Terrorhurtz, finishing 4th in the whole competition after losing the play-off to Big Nipper.
Ewe 2 finished as runners-up at the Roaming Robots event at Magna in 2005 but failed to make the finals of the 2005 Winter tour after losing its two qualifiers to Tanto on a judges' decision, and to Chompalot after being pushed into the pit[2].
In 2006, Ewe 2 competed in the UK Championship but lost to Scorpion. That summer, Ewe 2 was sold to Team Tilly who renamed it to Tilly Ewe 2. Here it had good degrees of success, winning the Fighting Robots Annihilator 2007 and finishing third in the Roaming Robots Winter Tour 2007. Since Summer 2008, it was retired and replaced by Tilly 2 Evo.