Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head
Participation Information
US Season	2, Nickelodeon
Team Information
Team	Team RobotDojo
Team Members	Mike Konshak Becky Konshak Jacob Holland
From	Louisville, Colorado
Robot Statistics
Weight	217lbs
Dimensions	10" x 31" x 31"
Power	4 x 12V Electric Motors
Weapons	Central bar spinner
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

"And last but not least, Propeller-Head, with 217 pounds of spinning blade action! That 4 foot blade will tear up anything in its way!"

— Stefan Frank introduces Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head was a competitor robot that fought in Season 2 of Robot Wars: Extreme Warriors as well as Nickelodeon Robot Wars. It reached the Grand Final of the Season 2 US Championship, before pitting itself against The Falcon Mark 2. Propeller-Head then won the Nickelodeon Mayhem competition, beating The Revolutionist and Vert-I-Go in the final round.

Team captain Mike Konshak also built DiskoTek, which was entered in the same season of Extreme Warriors by Mike's friends from Minnesota, as Mike was busy operating Propeller-Head.

Design

"Well, this is a very solid robot. It's very well-armoured, has a stainless steel body. The weapon is made out of spring steel, it's a leaf spring off a truck, so when this thing goes flying through another robot, it's gonna create a lot of damage!"

— Mike Konshak describes his robot to Carol Grow

Propeller-Head in the pits

Propeller-Head in the arena

Propeller-Head was a box-shaped robot with angled sides, stainless steel armour and armed with a powerful overhead spinning blade powered by a NPC-X950 Etek motor. The robot was a converted version of the team's BattleBots entry Agitator.

"This bot is a Robot Wars Extreme Warriors entry which is based much on Agitator's concept, but has two less (but twice as powerful) NPC-1200 drive motors, twice as many batteries, and an NPC-X950 Etek motor driving the spinner. The spinner is different and the chassis is made of 1/8" thick Stainless steel. It was designed to solve the problems encountered previously, when Agitator fought at BB's."

— Team RobotDojo website on Propeller-Head

The blade was made from a sheet of leaf spring out of a truck's suspension system, and was capable of spinning at up to 90mph, roughly 1200rpm, and causing significant damage to other opponents. Additionally, Propeller-Head's armour proved durable, and the robot had surprisingly good pushing power contrary to its statistics board, shoving The Revolutionist into the Pit in its Season 2 Heat Final despite losing its blade. However, the blade itself was fragile, as the aforementioned fight demonstrated, and it had no self-righting mechanism. The robot also had a high three-inch ground clearance.

The robot wars powered by four 12 Volt NPC-1200 drive motors driving custom machined-from-billet Go-Ped wheels. The chassis was 1/8 inch thick stainless steel.

The Team

Main article: Team RobotDojo

Team RobotDojo

Propeller-Head was one of two robots entered by Team RobotDojo, a team from Colorado, which had previously competed in BattleBots and Robotica. The team captain was Mike Konshak, a Senior Advisory Development Engineer (Mechanical) at the company StorageTek, who drove the robot in the main competition. He was joined by his wife Becky and young Jacob Holland, whose family were friends of the Konshak family, having gone to the same Church. Jacob Holland took over the driving of the robot for Nickelodeon Robot Wars.

Robot History

Season 2

"We are Team RobotDojo. Our robot is Propeller-Head, and we're gonna be flying through our opponents!"

— Mike Konshak in the team's introduction

In Heat D of the US Championship, Propeller-Head faced fellow newcomer Snookums, and TeamBoltz's new robot Psycho Chicken in its first round battle.

Carol Grow: "You're up against a chicken and you're up against a fish, what do you think about that?"

Mike Konshak: "What I'm gonna be doing? Im gonna be making some fish and chips and some chicken nuggets!"

— Team Robot Dojo's warning to their two opponents

Snookums immediately drives under Propeller-Head (top)

As the battle started, Propeller-Head held back from its opponents, getting its blade up to speed. Snookums came charging up the arena towards it, and drove straight into the blade, stopping it. Propeller-Head got its blade back up to speed drove around Snookums, landing a glancing blow on the side as it drove past. Psycho Chicken had not attacked either of its opponents, releasing its egg-shaped minibot Scramble, but not actually making a move on either opponent, so Propeller-Head approached, hitting the back. Psycho Chicken withstood this blow, and turned away. Propeller-Head reversed for another charge, then drove back at Propeller-Head. Before it could hit Psycho Chicken, its minibot Scramble drove at Propeller-Head, but Propeller-Head merely hit it with the spinning bar, sending it flying across to the arena wall, smashing it.

"And Propeller-Head goes into the back of Psycho Chicken, and launches the egg! Incredible! Look at the distance! Was that out of the arena? Not quite! Wow, do you like your eggs scrambled? I hope!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head smashes Psycho Chicken's minibot

Scramble, having been smashed by Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head continued to attack Psycho Chicken, hitting the back, but the bar stopped on impact, so Propeller-Head turned away, then drove up the arena. Snookums drove into Propeller-Head as it drove up the arena, and though Propeller-Head tried to turn away, Snookums kept in close pursuit, withstanding the blows from its spinning bar, until Propeller-Head hit one of the tyres, puncturing it. Propeller-Head turned around and drove across the arena, with Snookums driving into it, but it was hobbling due to the punctured tyre. Meanwhile, Psycho Chicken turned to its two opponents whilst trying to get away from Sgt. Bash, and drove into Snookums. Propeller-Head hit Snookums' front, hitting the head, and one of the wheels.

"The big fight here is between Propeller-Head and Snookums, Propeller-Head is just taking the nose off of Snookums! Propeller-Head is definitely the one to watch here!"

— Stefan Frank

Propeller-Head attacks Snookums

Propeller-Head then turned and rammed into Psycho Chicken, hitting one of the wheels. Propeller-Head drove into the arena centre, and Psycho Chicken turned, hitting Snookums. Its movement was hampered because Propeller-Head's blow had knocked the tyre askew, and Sgt. Bash drove over, blasting it with his flamethrower and setting the tail alight. Propeller-Head charged up the arena, hitting the back of Snookums, ripping the decorative tail. Propeller-Head drove past Snookums, accidentally driving into the top arena wall, then drove to the other side of the arena, away from its opponents. Both Snookums and Psycho Chicken were only moving on one wheel, turning back and forth, bumping into one another, so Propeller-Head stayed away from its opponents. Sir Killalot came out of his CPZ and attacked Psycho Chicken, pushing it into the CPZ, then grabbing it with his claw. Sir Killalot picked Psycho Chicken up and pulled it across the arena, hitting Snookums as he did so, and then held Psycho Chicken over the Flame Pit, before spinning it around. Propeller-Head drove into Sir Killalot's side, but its bar was no longer spinning, so it reversed away from the House Robot. Sir Killalot let go, and Psycho Chicken drove up the arena. Propeller-Head opened the Pit as Refbot began to count out Snookums.

"As Propeller-Head hits the Pit trigger, and the audience senses a burial, imminent! As the Refbot does the countdown, it doesn't look good for Snookums."

— Stefan Frank

When Refbot's count had finished Sir Killalot backed it into the Pit, allowing Propeller-Head and Psycho Chicken to go through to the second round. In the post-battle interview, Jacob Holland promised to give Mick Foley a hat with a propeller on it, just like the team wore.

Mick Foley: "We've seen a lot of propeller-driven robots here, but a lot of times, the propeller mechanism stops working, but not so in your case."

Mike Konshak: "Yeah, it really spins pretty fast, and it's got a powerful motor to keep it running, and most {of the} time I was turning it off because I was afraid of hurting the set, and I got really close to Sir Killalot, and I didn't want to make him mad, and I was really afraid I'd touch him!"

Mick Foley: "Oh, go ahead and make him mad!"

— Post-battle interview

There, Propeller-Head faced fellow newcomer The Gap for a place in the Heat Final.

Carol Grow: "Propeller-Head, what are you gonna do?"

Mike Konshak: "Well, we're gonna try to outdrive 'em and try to stay away from their very ominous looking flipper."

Carol Grow: "You have worries about that flipper?"

Mike Konshak: "Oh yeah, I think if there's bot in this competition that could beat Propeller-Head, this would be it!"

— Pre-battle interview

Properller-Head damages the backend of The Gap

Propeller-Head started by getting its blade up to speed, whilst The Gap drove towards it. Propeller-Head cautiously approached The Gap, which turned away. Propeller-Head turned around and drove around to the back of The Gap. As The Gap turned, Propeller-Head slammed into The Gap's rear corner, also hitting the back. Propeller-Head backed off for another attack, and The Gap turned around. Propeller-Head charged at The Gap, driving onto its lifter, but it managed to hit the lifter and turn off before The Gap could raise its lifter. As The Gap lowered its lifter, Propeller-Head rammed into one of its wheels, the impact causing Propeller-Head to bounce away, landing on the Flame Pit.

"The spinning 1300 RPM blade of the Properller-Head is awesome! He can get in there and get out so quick!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head slams into The Gap

Propeller-Head immobilises The Gap

Propeller-Head quickly drove off, but drove straight into the arena wall. Propeller-Head turned around and drove back at The Gap, but quickly turned away as The Gap tried to get the flipper underneath. Propeller-Head drove up the arena, and The Gap drove after it, so Propeller-Head turned around and slammed into The Gap, but it doing so, it drove up its lifter, slipping over the side, its blade and body spinning around. Propeller-Head regained control and fell back down, and drove away from The Gap, bumping into Refbot, then got its blade up to full speed, driving towards the side of the arena as The Gap drove up the arena. Propeller-Head turned around, driving onto a CO₂ vent, then charged at The Gap's side again, but rode over the wheel, so it drove past. The Gap slowly turned around, and Propeller-Head drove past the side, clipping the wheel. Propeller-Head drove to the arena centre and turned around, then charged into the back of The Gap, ripping a small hole in the back armour, then hit the back again, ripping off a small piece. Propeller-Head turned away for another attack, then drove back at The Gap, trying to attack one of the wheels, but it nearly drove onto the lifter, and Propeller-Head reversed away as The Gap turned, trying to get its lifter underneath. Propeller-Head drove down the arena, where its spinning blade slowed down to a stop.

"Well Propeller-Head needs to just get in there and... oh, they might have a little trouble with the drive belt on their blade! Could it be slipping, or broken? Oh, they have lost their weapon! Well all they're gonna be doing is evasive moves for the rest of this round!"

— Stefan Frank as Properller-Head's blade slows to a stop

Propeller-Head's spinner revives under The Gap's weapon

The Gap was struggling to drive, as Propeller-Head's blows had damaged the gearbox. Shunt pushed it away from the top of the arena, and it turned away. Propeller-Head drove up the arena, past The Gap, driving close to a CPZ, and The Gap turned away from it, driving onto the flame pit. The Gap span around, then drove off the flame pit, with Propeller-Head driving down the arena after it, holding back. The Gap stopped by the CPZ, then drove around Propeller-Head. Propeller-Head charged at The Gap as it turned, driving onto The Gap's lifter, falling underneath the lifter and getting caught on the front frame. The Gap tried to pin Propeller-Head down with its lifter, but Propeller-Head got its blade back up to speed, hitting The Gap's front and pushing itself free. Propeller-Head landed a couple of blows on The Gap with its spinning blade, first hitting the lifter, then hitting the wheel as it turned. The Gap was struggling to drive forwards, turning forwards on one wheel, then turning forwards on the other, and Propeller-Head drove down the Pit release and opened the Pit. The Gap turned around, and drove straight over the Pit as it opened, as Max Chapin had not noticed it was lowering.

"Wow, what a come-from-behind victory that one was! Well I bet you didn't expect that!"

— Stefan Frank as The Gap drives into the pit

In the post-battle interview, Team RobotDojo presented Mick Foley with a hat with a propeller on it as they had promised earlier. Mick Foley would wear this hat after both of Propeller-Head's next two battles.

Mick Foley: "Now listen, excellent job out there, very aggressive driving, very good technical precision, but the question is: you're going on to the finals against The Revolutionist, who really did a number on the Psycho Chicken. How do you think you're gonna shape up?"

Mike Konshak: "When you see two spinner bots going against each other, there's gonna be a lot of sparks and a lot of damage, and I hope I survive!"

Mick Foley: "Well I hope you survive too, and I hope you have another present next time we come up here!"

— Post-battle interview

In the Heat Final, Propeller-Head faced the previous series runner-up The Revolutionist, the first of two occasions where the two robots fought each other.

Carol Grow: "Propeller-Head, do you have a strategy?"

Mike Konshak: "Well I tell you what, these guys have a really great bot, they're proven, but Propeller-Head is really surprising a lot of people and so I think we're gonna be going and flying right into 'em!"

Carol Grow: "You got a great robot, I don't wanna scare you, these guys actually were up for the US Championship last year, they came in second. Does that make you nervous at all?"

Mike Konshak: "(Mock-bowing) We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"

Carol Grow: "Patronizing, patronizing!"

— Pre-battle interview

The Revolutionist rips off Propeller-Head's blade

Propeller-Head started by driving across the arena at The Revolutionist, which drove down the arena, getting its spinning body up to speed. Propeller-Head drove towards The Revolutionist, but turned and drove past it as The Revolutionist started driving at it. The Revolutionist turned and drove at Propeller-Head, which reversed away whilst getting its blade up to speed. The two competitors drove past each other, with Propeller-Head driving to the side of the arena. After a pause, Propeller-Head charged at The Revolutionist, but as it hit The Revolutionist, the spinning body absorbed the impact, and The Revolutionist hit Propeller-Head with its spinning body, deflecting it aside. Propeller-Head fled to the side of the arena, with The Revolutionist chasing it, and Propeller-Head turned around, withstanding a blow from The Revolutionist as it drove past, then turned again, then drove towards the arena centre. Meanwhile, The Revolutionist drove up the arena, then charged towards Propeller-Head, clipping the side as it drove past, causing sparks.

"And both of their techniques are that they get at opposite ends of the arena and take a full run while they got full speed on their spins. Look at that, every time they contact with each other there's some major metal flying!"

— Stefan Frank as The Revolutionist hit Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head tried to attack The Revolutionist, but the spinning body of The Revolutionist withstood its charge, so Propeller-Head reversed. The Revolutionist drove towards the side of the arena, and Propeller-Head drove past it, driving onto the pit. The Revolutionist charged at Propeller-Head, and Propeller-Head drove at it, but as it drove into The Revolutionist, its front end tipped up a little, allowing The Revolutionist to get under its spinning blade. The Revolutionist's spinning body caused more sparks as it hit Propeller-Head's front, and Propeller-Head kept pushing, but the blade was ripped off completely due to a loose coupler, falling out of the robot with the shaft and the chain.

"Look at that, pulled the whole thing out of it, shafts and all, chain drive - it's over! They're not goin' to be mowin' any more lawns this week!"

— Stefan Frank, before the turn of events that follows

Propeller-Head pits The Revolutionist, minus its blade

The weaponless Propeller-Head drove up to the top of the arena, whilst The Revolutionist drove to the bottom arena wall and hit the Pit release button. Propeller-Head drove down the arena, but drove onto the Pit as it opened, and narrowly managed to drive off as it lowered. Propeller-Head charged at The Revolutionist, which was in a CPZ. Propeller-Head turned to get behind The Revolutionist and tried to push it, but The Revolutionist reversed, driving dangerously close to the Pit, though it stopped itself in time.

"And Revolutionist goes right into the Pit trigger, exactly the same time as Propeller-Head was on the Pit! Wow, he just snuck out of that one! And Revolutionist almost took a dive himself, trying to push Propeller-Head in there!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head and The Revolutionist both come close to going into the Pit

As The Revolutionist drove back into the CPZ and waited, Propeller-Head drove close to an angle grinder, then charged down to the bottom of the arena, driving around the edge of the CPZ. Propeller-Head cautiously approached The Revolutionist in the CPZ, but suddenly Sir Killalot and Dead Metal came over to the CPZ, so the competitors had to escape. The Revolutionist got out of the CPZ first, and though Dead Metal got his arms around Propeller-Head, Propeller-Head drove out of the CPZ before he could grab hold. Propeller-Head drove straight into The Revolutionist and pushed it into the Pit with one push.

"And Propeller-Head, one last shove, puts The Revolutionist in the Pit! Wow, talk about come from behind! Second bout in a row! ... Great bit of driving by Mike Konshak"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head pits The Revolutionist

This victory allowed Propeller-Head to advance to the Grand Final.

Mick Foley: "How were you feeling when your propeller was literally knocked off the body?"

Mike Konshak: "Oh we did that on purpose! Honestly, propeller wasn't hurting Revolutionist, so we ejected it, so we could turn it into a push-bot, and then I figured we'd have a chance. And it worked out in our favour 'cause he opened the pit."

Mick Foley: "Were your worried, just for a second, that things weren't going to turn out for you?"

Jacob Holland: "Oh yeah!"

— Post-battle interview

In the Grand Final, within the top eight of the competition, Propeller-Head faced The Falcon Mark 2 in the first round.

Carol Grow: "Now, what is your strategy going into this battle, 'cause this is a big battle, whoever wins this is going onto Round 2!"

Mike Konshak: "We're really fortunate to be here, and let me tell you, a wedge is probably the worst thing that Propeller-Head could go against. But he's got three sides that are vulnerable, and we'll try to attack those parts of it and stay away from the front."

Carol Grow: "Okay, well you've got your caps on, thinking caps, you're ready to go!"

Mike Konshak: "Oh, we're ready to fly into 'em!"

— Pre-battle interview

Propeller-Head rips into The Falcon Mark 2

The two competitors cautiously approached each other, with Propeller-Head getting its blade up to speed. The Falcon Mark 2 turned as it got close to Propeller-Head, but this exposed its side, so Propeller-Head it with its blade. As The Falcon Mark 2 turned around, Propeller-Head drove away to the centre of the arena, then turned and charged at The Falcon Mark 2, hitting the front wedge and cutting a large gash in it, but Propeller-Head rode up the front wedge. Propeller-Head slid off the side, then hit The Falcon Mark 2's side with its blade, then turned around and hit the front again.

"You heard their strategy in the pits; it's gonna be "Stay away from the wedge" for Propeller-Head, but they go right into the wedge and do some damage as well, as Falcon is sporting a big hole on the front of their casing!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head cuts into the front of The Falcon Mark 2

Propeller-Head's blade gets caught in the back of The Falcon Mark 2

Propeller-Head bounced off after hitting The Falcon Mark 2's front, and Propeller-Head drove away as The Falcon Mark 2 drove after it, driving near the flame pit, then hit The Falcon Mark 2's side with the blade again. Propeller-Head drove down the arena, and The Falcon Mark 2 drove after it. The Falcon Mark 2 stopped in front of Propeller-Head, hesitant to attack, and as Propeller-Head turned, The Falcon Mark 2 tried to get underneath with its lifter, but Propeller-Head hit The Falcon Mark 2's side with its blade and drove past. Before The Falcon Mark 2 could turn around, Propeller-Head slammed into the back of The Falcon Mark 2, but the blade became caught in the rear armour. The Falcon Mark 2 turned around, pulling Propeller-Head around, as Propeller-Head's body span uncontrollably due to the blade being caught in the armour.

"Propeller-Head up to full speed with that blade, and now plows it right into the back of Falcon! There's a great little dance, he's stuck there for a minute!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head's blade gets caught in the back of The Falcon Mark 2

The Falcon Mark 2 reversed, and Propeller-Head managed to stop the spinner and get free of The Falcon Mark 2. As The Falcon Mark 2 turned around, Propeller-Head drove to the bottom of the arena, then charged at The Falcon Mark 2, but rode up the front wedge, though it quickly reversed off. Propeller-Head drove close to the Pit, and The Falcon Mark 2 drove after it, trying to get its lifter under its opponent, but Propeller-Head started its blade spinning, so as The Falcon Mark 2 tried to lift Propeller-Head, it slid off the lifter, and Propeller-Head hit The Falcon Mark 2's lifter, then hit the side. Propeller-Head drove back at The Falcon Mark 2, getting at its side, but The Falcon Mark 2 turned around, so Propeller-Head drove away before it could get its lifter underneath. Propeller-Head drove into the Pit release button, but then turned into the CPZ, driving into the side of Sgt. Bash. Propeller-Head turned, pushing Sgt. Bash, then reversed out of the CPZ before the House Robot could attack.

"Propeller-Head up to speed again, and a good piece of strategy, goes into the pit trigger, and then goes into Sgt. Bash, and then quickly out, a dodge! That was some good driving right there by Propeller-Head"

— Stefan Frank

Propeller-Head drives into the Pit

The Falcon Mark 2 drove after Propeller-Head, and Propeller-Head drove away as its blade wasn't up to full speed yet. Propeller-Head drove close to Sgt. Bash's CPZ, driving onto a CO2 vent, but accidentally hit Sgt. Bash with its blade, stopping its spinning. The Falcon Mark 2 drove in under Propeller-Head, but Propeller-Head drove over the side and reversed off before The Falcon Mark 2 could press its advantage. Propeller-Head backed into the arena wall, and The Falcon Mark 2 drove after it, but drove into the angle grinder next to Propeller-Head, getting its lifter caught underneath. Propeller-Head drove across the arena, driving along the bottom of the Pit, but as it tried to turn around the Pit, it took the turn too close and drove over the edge of the Pit, getting stuck. Propeller-Head started up its blade, but this caused it to fall in, leaving The Falcon Mark 2 as the winner.

"Propeller-Head is hanging on the edge! Oh no! That was a gift for Falcon, Christmas come early!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head falls into the Pit

Despite dominating the battle, Propeller-Head was therefore eliminated from the US Championship.

Mick Foley: "Propeller-Head, although this team, the quest is over, may I say that you guys certainly were the sentimental favourite, and coming off such a great contest against The Revolutionist, may there have been a letdown?"

Mike Konshak: "Well, a little bit. We were actually, the strategy was to drive around the backside of the Pit and make them come after us, and I just cut it a little bit too close!"

Mick Foley: "All right, a little bit too close, well you gave me this great Propeller-Head hat, and all these guys have given me is an attitude!"

— Mike Konshak on how he drove Propeller-Head into the Pit

Nickelodeon

"We're here at Robot Wars, and we're ready to have fun!"

— Jacob Holland in the team's introduction

Propeller-Head competed in the Mayhem competition, fighting against Xylon and Rosie the Riveter 2 in the first round. For Nickelodeon Robot Wars, 10-year old Jacob Holland drove the robot.

"When we got to the show in London, Mr. Konshak taught me how to drive Propeller-Head (for Nickleodean), but I only had about 10 minutes of practice before we did it for real."

— Jacob Holland on the Team RobotDojo website.

Propeller-Head rips into Xylon

Propeller-Head started by driving at Rosie the Riveter 2 as it drove towards the arena centre. Propeller-Head got its blade up to speed as it drove over, then hit the side of Rosie the Riveter 2's front wedge, before hitting the back, causing sparks. Propeller-Head turned away and Rosie The Riveter 2 rammed into Xylon. Propeller-Head held back as Xylon fought with Rosie the Riveter 2, getting its blade back up to speed, but Xylon suddenly turned away from Rosie the Riveter 2, driving at Propeller-Head, trying to get underneath it, but Propeller-Head hit Xylon's front with its spinning bar, bouncing off.

"And fantastic driving by 10-year old Jacob from Propeller-Head!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head hits Xylon

Rosie the Riveter 2 drives Propeller-Head towards a CPZ

Rosie the Riveter 2 rammed into Xylon, then turned around and charged at Propeller-Head, getting underneath it with its front wedge. Propeller-Head turned off of the wedge, and Rosie the Riveter 2 kept pushing, so Propeller-Head drove away, hitting Xylon as it drove past, ripping off one of its side panels. Propeller-Head held back as Rosie the Riveter 2 drove towards Xylon, but Rosie the Riveter 2 then charged up the arena, getting under Propeller-Head again, and pushed it up the arena into an empty CPZ, pinning it in the corner.

"Well Propeller-Head can do some major damage when that blade gets up to speed, just a question if he can penetrate Rosie's incredible low-to-the-ground design."

— Stefan Frank as Rosie the Riveter 2 rams Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head is stuck atop Xylon and Rosie the Riveter 2

Shunt and Matilda came over to the CPZ, so Rosie the Riveter 2 reversed, backing into Shunt, and Propeller-Head snuck out of the CPZ, driving past Matilda as she came over. Rosie the Riveter 2 was axed by Shunt, but managed to escape the CPZ, and it drove down the arena. Propeller-Head held back as Rosie the Riveter 2 fought with Xylon, then charged over as Rosie the Riveter 2 hit the Pit release button, driving into the side of Xylon, getting underneath its high ground clearance. Xylon reversed, then it and Rosie the Riveter 2 both charged together at Propeller-Head as it drove up the arena, with Xylon getting under Propeller-Head with its flipper. Propeller-Head went up on top of Xylon, then slipped off as Rosie the Riveter 2 rammed into the side of Xylon. Propeller-Head drove away from its opponents, bumping into Refbot, and tried to get its bar up to speed again, but turned into Refbot again, stopping the blade.

"As Refbot gets into the action, Propeller-Head has got that blade going up, but he's going after the wrong 'bot!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head hits Refbot

Propeller-Head causes late damage to Rosie the Riveter 2

Refbot pushed against Propeller-Head, which away, then got its blade up to speed. Propeller-Head drove at Rosie the Riveter 2, but rode up its front wedge. Xylon drove over, and Propeller-Head hit it with its spinning bar, which allowed it to slip over the top of Rosie the Riveter 2, then drive over Xylon's flipper. Propeller-Head got its bar back up to speed, then rammed into the side of Rosie the Riveter 2, then turned and hit the side of Xylon. Propeller-Head hit Xylon's front as it turned around, then drove past Xylon, hitting its side with the bar as it drove past. Propeller-Head drove around Xylon, and as it turned around, Propeller-Head slammed into its side with the bar, but Rosie the Riveter 2 got under Propeller-Head as it did so, causing the blade to get caught behind one of Xylon's wheels just as the battle ended.

"Rosie the Riveter was dominating in the beginning of that round, but Propeller-Head knew how to dish it out, and even Xylon was in on the act, although it took some mean hits!"

— Stefan Frank while reviewing the highlights

Propeller-Head won the Judges' decision due to the damage it had inflicted.

Dave Aizer: "Well we can only hope that every match is as good as that one was! The Judges had a hard time deciding who won, but the winner of that Mayhem competition, and the team advancing to the finals... is the Propeller-Head team! Tremendous match really, it could have gone any way! Tell me about the blade on your robot, I mean that thing is nasty!"

Jacob Holland: "Well the blade's made out of the leaf spring of a car, and it goes about a hundred to a hundred-20 miles an hour!"

— Post-battle interview

In the Ultimate Mayhem, Propeller-Head faced The Revolutionist for the second time, alongside the loanerbot Vert-I-Go. For this battle, The Revolutionist added several ropes to the top of the robot to snare Propeller-Head's blade.

"And there's Propeller-Head, in at 217 pounds, with a 90 mile-an-hour spinning blade! These guys are real dangerous, they better stay out of the way of him!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head enters the arena

The Revolutionist charges into Refbot after missing a charge at Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head cautiously drove towards the arena centre, and The Revolutionist drove into the centre, then drove into Propeller-Head without getting its spinning body up to speed. Propeller-Head turned, hit The Revolutionist with its blade and drove away. The Revolutionist got up to spinning speed and drove after Propeller-Head, but missed its charge, driving into Refbot, and the impact immobilised The Revolutionist.

"The Revolutionist has stocked up with cords, to try and tangle up the Propeller-Head! Let's see if it works... well Revolutionist goes to work on Refbot! Wrong action!"

— Stefan Frank as The Revolutionist misses its charge on Propeller-Head and slams into Refbot

Propeller-Head immobilises Vert-I-Go

Propeller-Head got its blade up to speed as Vert-I-Go drove at it. Propeller-Head hit the front of Vert-I-Go, being sent spinning aside on impact, so it reversed away. Vert-I-Go drove after it, and Propeller-Head struck the side with its blade, deflecting Vert-I-Go aside. Vert-I-Go turned around, and Propeller-Head turned to face it, getting its bar up to full speed. Vert-I-Go drove towards Propeller-Head, but then turned away, which exposed its side. Propeller-Head slammed into the side, ripping off part of the side armour. Vert-I-Go drove down the arena and turned around, then drove back at Propeller-Head, which turned to avoid it, then slammed into Vert-I-Go's side as it turned around. Propeller-Head drove into the arena centre, and Vert-I-Go drove at it again, but Propeller-Head hit it with the spinning bar, deflecting Vert-I-Go aside. Vert-I-Go turned around, but Propeller-Head drove back at it with the bar spinning, knocking Vert-I-Go aside again and knocking out its decorative string of lights. This impact knocked Vert-I-Go's removable link loose, leaving it immobile. Meanwhile, Refbot counted out The Revolutionist.

"And look at Vert-I-Go, completely dismantled! And Propeller-Head just wants a little bit more, taking off that plexiglass like its butter!"

— Stefan Frank as Propeller-Head deals more damage to Vert-I-Go

Propeller-Head smashes into Vert-I-Go

Propeller-Head drove down the arena, getting its blade up to full speed, then charged into the back of Vert-I-Go as Refbot came over to count it out, ripping off Vert-I-Go's back panel. The impact sent Propeller-Head slamming into Refbot, but it landed quickly and drove straight back at Vert-I-Go again, hitting the side and ripping off more over. Vert-I-Go was counted out, leaving Propeller-Head as the Ultimate Mayhem champion, and The Revolutionist was flipped by the Floor Flipper, before it and Vert-I-Go were pitted by Sgt. Bash and Sir K.

"Well, Propeller-Head came in in the right place, got in there and just put everybody out of business!"

— Stefan Frank as Vert-I-Go is counted out, leaving Propeller-Head as the winner

In the post-battle interview, Dave Aizer wore a hat with a propeller on it that Jacob Holland had given him after their first battle, just as the team had done with Mick Foley in Extreme Warriors.

Dave Azier: "What do you think, am I part of the team now, does it look good?"

Jacob Holland: "Yeah!"

Dave Azier: "Well congratulations on you championship, how do you feel?"

Jacob Holland: "Um, I felt good!"

Dave Azier: "Tell me about the match and how everything went."

Jacob Holland: "Um, we just attacked and let the House Robots take care of the rest!"

Dave Azier: "Always a smart move!"

— Post-battle interview

Results

Wins/Losses

• Wins: 5
• Losses: 1

Series Record

US Series	Series Record
Season 1	Did not enter
Season 2	Grand Final, Round 1 Entered with DiskoTek
Nickelodeon	Mayhem Champion Entered with DiskoTek and Humdrum

Gallery

The frame of Propeller-Head

Propeller-Head in the pits

Propeller-Head during construction, before being painted

Propeller-Head being worked on

Propeller-Head in the pits whilst not being actively worked on

The Propeller-Head team

The Nickelodeon Robot Wars Ultimate Mayhem trophy

Outside Robot Wars

Agitator (BattleBots Season 3.0)

Propeller-Head as Agitator (BattleBots Season 5.0)

The team entered BattleBots with Agitator, which was modified to become Propeller-Head, competing in Seasons 4.0 and 5.0. Agitator won two battles before losing each time, notably defeating The Grim Reaper along the way.

The original Agitator was built from the chassis of a previous robot of the team, PyRAMidrone, and had a spinning bar with 4lb splitting mauls mounted on each end. After beating Terror and Tripulta Raptor, it lost in the first of the televised rounds to Silverback when the arms were bent down after the robot was flung by the killsaws, leaving the arms binding against the chassis The robot was rebuilt for Season 5.0, with a stronger blade, driven by a Briggs and Stratton Etek motor. Many of the parts of the chassis were reused from Propeller-Head. In Season 5.0, Agitator beat Grim Reaper and Sharp Cheese, but lost to Center Punch.

Propeller-Head under the ownership of Team Killulator Robotics, repainted and renamed BladeSpinner

BladeSpinner in 2022

Propeller-Head was later sold by Mike Konshak to new owners Team Killulator Robotics, located in St. Ann, Missouri. This team competed with the robot for a short time, renamed BladeSpinner and repainted into a purple, black, blue and lime green paint scheme. BladeSpinner notably competed at the BattleBots-sanctioned NPC Charity Open in 2004, picking up a bye, two wins and two losses in the heavyweight division. The team later made an antweight version named BladeSpinner Jr., though the extent of its success is unknown. Following its retirement, the robot was kept in storage, where it remains to this day.

For more information on the team's excursions aside from Propeller-Head, see Team Robot Dojo.

Appearances in Merchandise

• Propeller-Head/Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (GBA)

Propeller-Head in Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction (GBA)

Trivia

• Propellor-Head's wheels were provided by EngineTrix, and the metal for the chassis was laser cut and formed by Star Precision, then welded by the team.
• Propellor-Head was sponsored by Star Precision, NPC Robotics, EngineTrix, IFI, PTC.

External Links

• Team RobotDojo website - Propeller-Head
• Team RobotDojo website - ROBOT WARS EXTREME WARRIORS 2 picture gallery