- "Powerful enough to pull an estate car, and yet the lightest in the Heat at 76 kilos, this purple prince is crowned by a flipping arm and electric disc saw. What a fur-brained entry from the Andrew family!"
- — Jonathan Pearce introduces Purple Predator
Purple Predator was a competitor robot that fought in Series 3 of Robot Wars. It was eliminated in the first round of its heat after losing a Judges' decision against Toecutter.
The team returned for Series 5 and 6 with Granny's Revenge, which also fell in the first round in both of those series.
Design[]
The disc on the rear of Purple Predator
As its name implied, Purple Predator was a long wedge-shaped robot clad in purple fur and based on an invalid tricycle. It was armed with a large front-hinged flipping arm and a rear-mounted circular saw as weapons, cost £650 to build, and was stated as having the power to pull a Volvo estate car. However, Purple Predator's weapons proved unreliable, with the flipping arm failing to work at all due to being jammed and the circular saw being especially prone to breaking off. Additionally, the robot had a high ground clearance owing to its castor wheels on the front and a large turning circle, which contributed towards its defeat in its only battle along with its fragile fur. The bot had a mascot on top of it, which was an action figure toy with Yoda's head on top of it, it also had some purple fur on its chest.
Qualification[]
Purple Predator successfully qualified for Series 3 after attending the auditions.
Along with its successor Granny's Revenge, Purple Predator also attended the qualifiers for the Fifth Wars. It featured in a six-way qualifier battle with Granny's Revenge, Razer, Rattus Rattus, Roobarb and Shunt. However, unlike its successor, Purple Predator failed to qualify for the main series.
Robot History[]
Series 3[]
Purple Predator appeared in Heat K of the Third Wars, and fought fellow newcomer Toecutter in the first round.
Purple Predator gets slashed by Toecutter
Purple Predator rams Toecutter
Toecutter is bounced up by the Arena Spikes as it slashes the fur or Purple Predator
Purple Predator started off poorly, backing into the arena wall and losing its cutting disc straight away, before charging into Toecutter, which spun around and ripped part of Purple Predator's fur off with its spring-powered blade. Purple Predator backed away before bumping into Toecutter again a few more times, with Toecutter once again slashing into its fur before pushing Purple Predator into Dead Metal. Dead Metal ripped even more fur off of Purple Predator's sides and cut into its back panel with his saw, before Purple Predator escaped and drove onto an Arena Spike while trying to lure Toecutter towards the Pit.
- "What preparation went into the bodywork. What a shame!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Purple Predator's fur dangles from the robot's sides
Dead Metal attacks Purple Predator from behind
Purple Predator is bounced upwards by the arena spike
Taking advantage of Purple Predator's error, Toecutter got underneath it and drove it towards the wall, with Purple Predator being grabbed by Dead Metal again as both robots backed away. As they did so, Toecutter was launched onto its side by the arena spikes, but recovered as it was thrust into the air and back onto its wheels. Purple Predator bumped into Toecutter once more as time ran out, and the battle went to a Judges' decision. Needless to say, the decision went in favour of Toecutter, eliminating Purple Predator from the Third Wars.
- "The Purple Predator gets a clipping, and Toecutter, go through!"
- — Craig Charles
Results[]
| PURPLE PREDATOR - RESULTS | ||
| Series 3 | ||
| The Third Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
| Heat K, Round 1 | vs. Toecutter | Lost |
Wins/Losses[]
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
Series Record[]
| Series | Purple Predator Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Fourth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Fifth Wars | Failed to qualify Entered with Granny's Revenge |
| The Sixth Wars | Entered with Granny's Revenge 2 |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
Gallery[]
Appearances in Merchandise[]
Trivia[]
- Purple Predator was the only UK competitor covered with fur not to catch fire at some point during a battle.
- Purple Predator was 10kg heavier than Granny's Revenge and 16kg heavier than Granny's Revenge 2, a rare feat for a Series 3 competitor.