- "I tell you what, there's something about Robot Wars that brings out the psycho in people. I mean, take the roboteers. They're teachers, accountants, doctors and you get them in the war zone, and they're like Attila the Hun, and what about this lot? Ay? Are you ready for some carnage? Do you see what I mean? Basket case is the lot of them."
- — Craig Charles' introduction
Heat E of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 5) was the fifth of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars. The episode was originally broadcast on 10 May 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on 12 July 2002 on BBC Two.
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Trouble 'n' Strife | ||
| Weight | 97kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.35 x 0.90 x 0.70m | |
| Power | 4 x Modified Starter Motors | |
| Weapons | Flipper & Spinning Disc | |
| Strengths | Dual Weaponry | |
| Weaknesses | Limited Driving Experience | |
| From: Harborne | ||
| Team Members: Peter Forsey, Jake Forsey & Mike Stokes | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Alien | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.64 x 0.95 x 0.98m | |
| Power | 2 x 12V Electric Motors | |
| Weapons | Rotary Hammer & Front Spikes | |
| Strengths | Destructive Weapon | |
| Weaknesses | First Time Competitors | |
| From: Heath Hayes | ||
| Team Members: Karl Asplin, Sarah Asplin & Andrew Cope | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wild Thing (seeded 9th) | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.43 x 0.94 x 0.65m | |
| Power | 750W Electric Motor | |
| Weapons | 2 Bladed Spinning Disc | |
| Strengths | Speed & Control | |
| Weaknesses | Vulnerable Tyres | |
| From: Ash | ||
| Team Members: Nick Adams, Isabelle Adams & Jake Adams | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Thermidor 2 (seeded 16th) | ||
| Weight | 97kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.34 x 1.05 x 0.84m | |
| Power | 24V Electric Motor | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic Flipper & Claws | |
| Strengths | Powerful Weapons | |
| Weaknesses | Experienced Competitors | |
| From: Costessey | ||
| Team Members: David Harding & Ian Harvey | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Velocirippa | ||
| Weight | 91kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.54 x 1.2 x 0.52m | |
| Power | 12V Starter Motors | |
| Weapons | Spikes & Rotating Discs | |
| Strengths | Fast with Good Control | |
| Weaknesses | No srimech | |
| From: Barton Green | ||
| Team Members: Trevor Wright, Matthew Wright & Tony Hillier | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Napalm 2 | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.02 x 1.12 x 1.06m | |
| Power | 24V Electric Motors | |
| Weapons | Steel Spikes | |
| Strengths | Experienced Competitors | |
| Weaknesses | Durability | |
| From: New Ash Green | ||
| Team Members: David Crosby, Michelle Davey & Victoria Allgood | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Warhog | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.54 x 0.95 x 0.75m | |
| Power | 24V batteries | |
| Weapons | Heavy Rotating Disc | |
| Strengths | Potentially Very Destructive | |
| Weaknesses | Reliability | |
| From: Hull | ||
| Team Members: Paul Stephenson, Colin Hare & Mark Chalmers | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prizephita Mach 2 | ||
| Weight | 96kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.52m x 1.10 x 1.02m | |
| Power | 24V Twin Electric Motors | |
| Weapons | Flipper & Steel Spike | |
| Strengths | Dual Weapon Action | |
| Weaknesses | Limited CO2 Supply | |
| From: Kesgrave | ||
| Team Members: Roy Alcock, Eddy Alcock & Bill Morse | ||
Eliminators[]
- "It's fighting time! Ay! Let the wars begin!"
- — Craig Charles
Wild Thing (9) vs Trouble 'n' Strife[]
Trouble 'n' Strife attacks Wild Thing
Wild Thing started the stronger, pushing Trouble 'n' Strife around, without receiving attacks in retaliation. Then, Wild Thing drove into the rear disc of Trouble 'n' Strife, causing it spin away on impact. Both machines dealt blows with their flywheels, with Wild Thing taking damage to its front end. Trouble 'n' Strife flipped the ninth seed, but Wild Thing landed on its wheels.
- "This is a struggle here, for the experienced Wild Thing machine."
- — Jonathan Pearce
A hobbling Wild Thing retaliates
Wild Thing dug its blades into the exposed interior of Trouble 'n' Strife. Wild Thing hit of Trouble 'n' Strife several more times causing damage, but Trouble 'n' Strife began to really get its flipper into play, flipping Wild Thing hard enough to buckle one of its wheels. Wild Thing pushed back, visibly hobbling, eventually losing the side decoration on its tyre. Another flip lifted it off the ground, but Wild Thing launched a glancing blow and pushed Trouble 'n' Strife into the CPZ where it was axed by Shunt then whacked by Matilda's flywheel.
Shunt drags Trouble 'n' Strife into Matilda's flywheel
- "I think Trouble 'n' Strike will just survive and go to a referee's decision. It's gonna to be very, very close, and they've taken severe damage late on."
- — Jonathan Pearce as the battle reaches its climax
Wild Thing scraped through on the judges' decision.
Winner: Wild Thing
Velocirippa vs The Alien[]
The Alien shoves Velocirippa
The Alien wedges under Velocirippa
The pair circled each other in the opening seconds, with The Alien landing a glancing blow with its spinning hammer. The Alien got underneath Velocirippa with its wedge shape and pushed it across the arena before turning around and striking Velocirippa again.
Velocirippa is pitted
- "Velocirippa seems to have been stopped in its tracks by The Alien and that hammer blow."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Velocirippa had become immobilised shortly before the second blow and was counted out, after taking further blows from The Alien. Shunt pushed Velocirippa into the Pit with help from Sgt. Bash, and The Alien progressed.
Winner: The Alien
Napalm 2 vs Warhog[]
Napalm 2 pushes Warhog
Napalm 2 reverses Warhog into the wall
Both machines started sluggishly, with Warhog's full body spinner not working. Napalm 2 nudged it around the arena, scoring points for aggression. Napalm 2 turned around and tried to get its rear axe into action, but didn't cause much damage to the top of Warhog. Napalm 2 pushed Warhog towards Matilda, however she chose not to strike Warhog with her flywheel.
- "Are we watching this is slow motion?"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Napalm prods Warhog towards Matilda
Matilda reverses into Warhog
The two clash whilst time ticks down
Warhog was chased by Napalm 2 into the side wall where once again, Napalm 2 used its spiked axe, causing a small dent on the top armour of Warhog. Matilda this time hit Warhog, and Warhog drove onto the Flame Pit.
- "This is most curious."
- — Jonathan Pearce as both robots show limited mobility
Napalm 2 got stuck on the arena wall, so both machines were immobile at the end of the battle and the Judges gave the win to Napalm 2.
Winner: Napalm 2
Thermidor 2 (16) vs Prizephita Mach 2[]
Thermidor 2 throws Prizephita
Thermidor 2 immediately came on the attack, tossing Prizephita Mach 2 through the air, though it landed on its wheels. Thermidor 2 flicked Prizephita Mach 2 again but failed to flip its opponent. From then on, it was clear that Thermidor 2 was having difficulty of getting its flipper underneath Prizephita Mach 2 because of Prizephita Mach 2's low ground clearance. Prizephita Mach 2 used this to its advantage and flipped over Team Lobster's robot and it chose to self-right to keep the functionality of its weapon though it was invertible. Prizephita Mach 2 turned Thermidor 2 over again and it self-righted.
Prizephita turns the battle around
- "This is flipping good stuff, isn't it!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
The two locked flippers, with neither gaining an advantage. Prizephita Mach 2 flipped over the seeded robot once more, and in order to self right this time, Thermidor 2 had to drive backwards while upside down to gain enough momentum. Yet another flip by Prizephita Mach 2 lead to Thermidor 2 being overturned, and needed to gain the momentum to self-right. When it landed on its wheels, Thermidor 2 broke down, with its newly-installed PCM radio breaking down.
Prizephita Mach 2's final flip
- "This is another major surprise in this heat. Ian Harvey and David Harding - splendid competitors in the past, are to go at the first hurdle."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Thermidor 2 is counted out
Refbot counted out the Series 4 Semi-Finalists, the only one to fall at the first hurdle in this wars. Sgt. Bash then grabbed Thermidor 2 in his pincers and dropped it into the Pit before spinning round in circles and shooting fire everywhere.
Shunt and Sgt. Bash pit Thermidor 2
- "Thermidor 2 roasted in the Pit! Prizephita 2 go through!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Prizephita Mach 2
Semi-Finals[]
Wild Thing (9) vs Napalm 2[]
Wild Thing pushes Napalm 2 into the Pit
Wild Thing simply slammed into Napalm 2 as soon as activate was called and this collision immobilised Napalm 2.
- "Vicky, who loves her computer programming, trying to program a response from Napalm."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wild Thing caused damage to Napalm 2's side armour with its flywheel before steering the foe into the Pit for an easy ticket into the Heat Final.
- "And that was on the cards from the word 'activate'."
- — Jonathan Pearce on Wild Thing's easy win
Winner: Wild Thing
The Alien vs Prizephita Mach 2[]
Prizephita Mach 2 overturns The Alien
The Alien and Prizephita Mach 2 met and spun in circles, with The Alien's hammer unable to come into serious contact with Prizephita Mach 2. Prizephita got in underneath The Alien and tipped it over.
Prizephita stops The Alien's srimech from working
- "They have a pneumatic self-righter, but they seem to be stuck, and off balance."
- — Jonathan Pearce as The Alien struggles to self-right
The Alien tried to self-right but got stuck on its own srimech, so it was counted out by Refbot. Only then did it use its srimech successfully, get back on its wheels and start fighting again, however it was too late to have a chance of staying in the competition.
Dead Metal pulls The Alien free of Shunt's axe
Winner: Prizephita Mach 2
Heat Final[]
- "Two robots think they're hard. So let's settle this the hard way. Let the Heat Final begin!"
- — Craig Charles
Wild Thing (9) vs Prizephita Mach 2[]
Prizephita Mach 2 starts promisingly
This was a rematch of the Series 3 fight where Thing 2 easily got the best of the original Prizephita. Wild Thing charged straight away, but Prizephita Mach 2 flipped the heat favourite. Wild Thing attacked Prizephita Mach 2's rear and sides a few times with its disc, failing to cause any damage. Prizephita got in two more flips, with the second lifting the number nine seed onto its back for the first time in the heat.
Prizephita Mach 2 flips Wild Thing around the arena
- "Prizephita - dodging, dancing around the ring, and waited for the opportunity to get that jab in. Good boxing in the Robot Wars arena. Wild Thing now, is seeing stars."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Prizephita Mach 2 topples Wild Thing onto its back
Prizephita Mach 2 flipped it again before it could self-right. Prizephita Mach 2 flipped Wild Thing over again, but once more the seeded machine self-righted using its lifting arm. After escaping Shunt, Prizephita Mach 2 turned over the opposition again. Prizephita Mach 2 prevented Wild Thing from self-righting, then lifted it onto its side, where Wild Thing appeared to be stuck. While Wild Thing was spinning on one wheel while on its side, Prizephita Mach 2 hit the Pit release tyre.
Wild Thing struggles to right itself
- "Wild Thing, twice a series Semi-Finalist, but I don't think will be going through to the series Semi-Finals this time around."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Wild Thing struggles to get back onto its wheels
Wild Thing finally self-righted, and clashed with Prizephita Mach 2 again. Wild Thing began to fight back, shoving Prizephita Mach 2 around the arena for a short time before almost pitting it.
Wild Thing fights back
- "What a good battle this has been! A fitting heat final."
- — Jonathan Pearce as Wild Thing fights back late on
In the closing seconds Wild Thing rammed Prizephita Mach 2 into an angle grinder, and the late spurt of aggression was deemed enough by the Judges to put the Adams family into the Semi-Finals for the third successive time.
Heat Winner: Wild Thing
- "William Tell made noise with his overtures, but we make more, on Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trivia[]
- This episode saw Thermidor 2 become the first seeded robot to fall in Round 1 of the Fifth Wars, while Prizephita Mach 2 who defeated it, got past the first hurdle for the first time in three attempts.
- This Heat would also be the only time Prizephita won a battle, having reached the Heat Final, because the team never returned again after this, withdrawing from Series 8.
- Wild Thing's victory over Napalm 2 proved to be the last ever time that the former won a battle, without the use of a Judges' decision.
- The Heat Final was:
- A grudge match between the Prizephita and Wild Thing teams, who met in The Third Wars.
- The only one to go to the Judges in the whole of the Fifth Wars.
- Strangely, Thermidor 2's weakness on its statistics board was listed as "Experienced Competitors", a statement that would usually be considered a strength, instead of "Fragile Shell" as it had been during the first series of Robot Wars Extreme.
- When Jonathan Pearce was reading through the Round 1 line-up, he did not read through it sequentially and also failed to mention Trouble 'n' Strife.
- This was the only heat out of the first six of Series 5 not to feature a Scottish robot.
- From this heat onwards, every robot in Series 5 (except Kronic 2) was introduced as being from a town but not a county by Stuart McDonald, while in the preceding four heats every robot (except Firestorm 3) had had both its town and county announced.
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