- "You know, when our robots fight, they're judged on four things; Damage - how much they destroy. Agression - how much do they want to destroy. Style - do they destroy with panache? And Control - are they destroying what they're meant to destroy. Are you picking up a theme here? Then, that's what your in for!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction
Heat K of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 11) was the eleventh of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars. The episode was originally broadcast on 20 May 2002 on BBC Choice and repeated on 27 September 2002 on BBC Two.
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Big Nipper | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.18 x 1.48 x 0.85m | |
| Power | 5 x 800W electric motors | |
| Weapons | Crushing jaws | |
| Strengths | Strong armour | |
| Weaknesses | Slow & sluggish | |
| From: Colne | ||
| Team Members: Graeme Dawson, Mark Lumb & Harold Lumb | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Widow's Revenge | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.30 x 1.37 x 0.92m | |
| Power | 2 x Golf caddy electric motors | |
| Weapons | Spinning disc & scoop | |
| Strengths | Girl power | |
| Weaknesses | No self-righting mechanism | |
| From: Nutley | ||
| Team Members: Gillie Blood, Emily Cathcart & Fiona Mason | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Axe-C-Dent | ||
| Weight | 95kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.81 x 1.00 x 0.74m | |
| Power | 24V wheelchair motor | |
| Weapons | Spinning double axe | |
| Strengths | Powerful weapon | |
| Weaknesses | Poor armour | |
| From: Gislingham, Eye | ||
| Team Members: Mel Easton | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Razer (seeded 4th) | ||
| Weight | 96kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.39 x 1.06 x 0.66m | |
| Power | 2 x 24V electric motors | |
| Weapons | Crushing ram | |
| Strengths | Reigning World Champions | |
| Weaknesses | Reliability of motors | |
| From: Bournemouth | ||
| Team Members: Ian Lewis, Simon Scott & Vincent Blood | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Suicidal Tendencies (seeded 21st) | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.70 x 1.24 x 0.74m | |
| Power | 24V electric motor | |
| Weapons | Front lifting spikes and crusher | |
| Strengths | Tracked drive | |
| Weaknesses | Poor armour | |
| From: Breadsall | ||
| Team Members: Andrew Jeffrey, Charles Binns & Ed Hoppitt | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sumpthing | ||
| Weight | 98kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.40 x 1.40 x 1.40m | |
| Power | 4 x 800W starter motors | |
| Weapons | Crusher & lifter | |
| Strengths | Experienced roboteers | |
| Weaknesses | Durability | |
| From: Leicester | ||
| Team Members: Dig & Geoff Germaney | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Destruct-A-Bubble | ||
| Weight | 100kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.94 x 1.00 x 1.20m | |
| Power | 36V wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | Hammering spike | |
| Strengths | Experienced roboteers | |
| Weaknesses | Poor manouverability | |
| From: Nounsley | ||
| Team Members: Bill Cozens, Lawrence Cozens & Peter Richards | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rick | ||
| Weight | 97kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.31 x 0.86 x 0.82m | |
| Power | 24V golf cart motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic flipper and disc | |
| Strengths | Runs both ways up | |
| Weaknesses | Exposed wheels | |
| From: Southampton | ||
| Team Members: Francis Gallagher, Ian Aldridge & Kevin Gallagher | ||
Eliminators[]
- "First up, world champions Razer, they've never won the UK title, against newcomers Big Nipper. Sumpthing against Widow's Revenge. Wait til you see them. Axe-C-Dent could burst the Destruct-A-Bubble and Suicidal Tendencies meets Rick."
- — Jonathan Pearce reviewing the robots in the heat and how they line up in the first round
Razer (4) vs Big Nipper[]
One of Razer's wings snap off on contact with Big Nipper
Big Nipper is hoisted by Razer
As soon as the battle started, Razer and Big Nipper charged straight at each other, with the impact causing visible damage to both machines. One of Big Nipper's claws was bent slightly, however more significant and noticeable was the damage to one of Razer's self-righting wings; the left wing had snapped off. Razer then chased and pierced Big Nipper from the side, all the while dragging it around the arena. After coming in for another attack, Razer successfully lifted Big Nipper aloft and held it above the Flame Pit. Big Nipper flapped its weaponry around in an attempt to get down and eventually did so.
- "The Nipper is big on resolve, if nothing else."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Razer pushed Big Nipper over towards Shunt who perforated its armour, and inevitably, the damage taken from Razer took its toll, leaving Big Nipper immobilised.
Big Nipper shoves Razer back
Shunt and Razer make mincemeat of Big Nipper
- "You've been nipped? You have been- nipped in the bud more like for Big Nipper. And Razer, despite the damage and they'll need work in the Pits, go through. It wasn't with the flourish we expected."
- — Jonathan Pearce in response to the Big Nipper team's T-Shirts as their machine is counted out.
The Refbot counted out the wrecked Big Nipper and Shunt axed it one last time as Cease was called.
Winner: Razer
Sumpthing vs Widow's Revenge[]
Sumpthing tries to cut into Widow's Revenge
Both robots got off to a sluggish start, avoiding contact. Sumpthing eventually hit Widow's Revenge several times with its circular saw arm, but this didn't cause any real damage. Widow's Revenge hit back with its spinning drum on the arm of Sumpthing, and from this attack onwards, Sumpthing was only able to spin around in circles, while Widow's Revenge drove around near the Pit.
- "Has something gone wrong with Sumpthing?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Widow's Revenge is dropped onto Sumpthing
As time ticked down, Widow's Revenge strayed near Sir Killalot and was lifted and dropped on top of Sumpthing. The Judges had to rule, and as Sumpthing had sustained damage in the form of a loose gear hampering its mobility, Widow's Revenge was unanimously declared the victor.
- "Both robots were labouring towards the end"
- — Craig Charles making an observation
Winner: Widow's Revenge
Destruct-A-Bubble vs Axe-C-Dent[]
Destruct-A-Bubble and Axe-C-Dent embrace
The pair attacked each other right from the start, and Destruct-A-Bubble's large axe completely missed Axe-C-Dent, but instead grappled around Axe-C-Dent's spinning hammer.
- "That's like being at the disco when the world's worst looking person grabs hold of you for a dance and you can't get away. I am that world's worst-looking person."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Axe-C-Dent grinds to a halt
Axe-C-Dent spun around the arena rather aimlessly, and Destruct-A-Bubble bumped into the Refbot. Axe-C-Dent broke down in this uneventful bout, where it was counted out. Shunt hacked through the top of Axe-C-Dent, and drove into the Pit along with the beaten competitor.
Shunt and Axe-C-Dent fall into the Pit
- "Axe-C-Dent did have an accident, with Shunt. The bubble hasn't burst on Destruct-A-Bubble. They go through!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Destruct-A-Bubble
Suicidal Tendencies (21) vs Rick[]
- "The glamorous Destruct-A-Bubble marches on. Goodbye to Axe-C-Dent. Next up, Suicidal Tendencies and Rick."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Rick's disc burns out
Suicidal Tendencies crushes the top of Rick
In what was actually a vengeance battle from Heat H of Series 4, Suicidal Tendencies pursued Rick from the beginning. Suicidal Tendencies pushed Rick across the arena floor while trying to get its lifter into play, but not succeeding. Rick's ineffective face spinner was doing no damage, and it began to spew a small amount of smoke. Rick was an appropriate size for Suicidal Tendencies to grab hold of, letting the seeded robot rip off a top panel with its vertical crusher.
- "I think that Rick is okay"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Suicidal Tendencies pierces the eye of Rick
Suicidal Tendencies closes out a dominant victory
Suicidal Tendencies crushed into the armour where one of Rick's eyes was painted, before backing away. Rick drove onto the Flame Pit, which did it no favours as the time ticked down to a Judge's decision.
- "Suicidal Tendencies looked like it ruled the warzone."
- — Craig Charles' opinion of the fight
Winner: Suicidal Tendencies
NOTE: Suicidal Tendencies suffered from technical difficulties before the second round battle with Destruct-A-Bubble, allowing Rick to be reinstated.
Semi-Finals[]
- "No Rick nor Robot Wars picnic for me. Suicidal Tendencies through to the Heat K semi-finals where they will meet Destruct-A-Bubble but first up, the one we've waited to see. Husbands against wives, Razer against Widow's Revenge!"
- — Jonathan Pearce's initial look at the heat semi-finals
Razer (4) vs Widow's Revenge[]
Razer snaps through Widow's Revenge
Matilda mutilates Widow's Revenge
Razer pits itself, along with the Robot Widows' machine
- Philippa Forrester: "Now's your chance, get it all out of your systems, what do you want to say to them?"
- Robot Widows: "If we win, we're brilliant and they leave the studios in shame. If they beat us, no more washing-up, no more hot dinners on the table, and I'm putting his bed in the shed!"
- — The ultimatum of the Robot Widows to Team Razer
The battle started with Razer chasing Widow's Revenge around the arena and into a corner.
- "We're damned if we do, damned if we don't"
- — Vincent Blood before the fight
Razer then got hold of the machine and snapped off a protective panel from the front Widow's Revenge. Not long afterwards, Razer did the same to the rear of the machine. Widow's Revenge was clearly immobilised, but Razer continued attacking the machine of the Robot Widows snapping off more armour and leaving the mess on the Flame Pit. Razer shoved its opponent onto the Floor Flipper, where it was counted out. It was pushed to the arena side wall by Sgt. Bash, and was savaged by the flywheel of Matilda, making the top panels fly off Widow's Revenge and shaking its internals loose.
- "Matilda, what are you doing? Sisters of mercy?"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Sgt. Bash failed to line it up for the Floor Flipper properly, and part of Widow's Revenge got trapped underneath the mechanism. What was left of the machine was shoved into the Pit by Razer, with Razer driving in as well, in the process.
- Craig Charles: "Ladies, don't you think they were a bit cruel there?"
- Robot Widows: "I think they realise we're going to rebuild, so they were going to help us by dismantling it! Piece by piece..."
- — Post-battle interview
Winner: Razer
Destruct-A-Bubble vs Rick[]
- "Hot news from the pits! Suicidal Tendencies have been forced out because of motor problems! Rick reinstated, to meet Destruct-A-Bubble."
- — Jonathan Pearce
The flip from Rick that immobilises the bubble
Shunt gets red-carded
Shunt has an argument with Refbot
Destruct-A-Bubble punctured and pitted
Destruct-A-Bubble started rather ponderously, allowing Rick to lift it, but the large yellow robot rolled onto its wheels. This was in fact, the only attack that Rick required to win this heat Semi-Final, since Destruct-A-Bubble had broken down. Shunt drove out of his CPZ to puncture Destruct-A-Bubble, but was given a straight red-card by the Refbot for doing this. Shunt refused to go back to his CPZ and began pushing the Refbot. As he was counting Destruct-A-Bubble down, Rick rolled its opponent over and shoved it into the Pit of Oblivion.
- "And Rick is making very good use of its second chance. Destruct-A-Bubble, going as far down into the pit as possible"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Winner: Rick
Heat Final[]
- "So. Rick go through. And they will meet the mighty Razer in the Heat K Final."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Razer (4) vs Rick[]
- "The world champions, Razer, against very much the underdogs, Rick. A David-and-Goliath clash, this."
- — Jonathan Pearce's view on the heat final
Rick comes under attack from Razer and Shunt
Razer forces the flipper of Rick back down
Razer attacked Rick's exposed tyres as soon as this Heat Final begun, but couldn't cause any significant damage. Razer then crushed through Rick's plexiglass top panel, and almost got its claw into Rick's innards when Rick opened its flipper. Rick closed it just before Razer could capitalise. It attempted to use its flipper to ward away the consistent onslaught of Razer, but afterwards, Razer sunk its claw into the right hand side of Rick, lifted it into the air and placed it onto the Flame Pit, where it was counted out.
- "Dib, dib, dib, dob, dob, dob, Razer's just about done the job!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Razer and Shunt positioned Rick on the Floor Flipper, where it was flung, straight onto the closed Pit.
- "Are we about to see Rick, here, flung through the air? We are. An unworthy ending to a worthy heat finalist-ha ha ha! How could they enjoy seeing that?! Great fun, though, and that's what Robot Wars is all about."
- — Jonathan Pearce on Rick's elimination and then Ian Aldridge's reactions
Razer takes on Sir Killalot...
As Shunt was finishing off Rick, Razer began to attack Sir Killalot from the rear.
- "They've beaten their wives and girlfriends and opponents, and now they're taking on the house robots, too!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
...and loses
The House Robot turned around and chased Razer across the arena, until Razer grappled onto one of its arms. Sir Killalot used this opportunity to turn Razer over, and drag the heat winner into the descending Pit.
Heat Winner: Razer
- "Posh people drive those 4x4's, but there's real off-roading, on Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trivia[]
- This Heat was the first Razer would win in four attempts, despite falling into the Pit twice.
- Suicidal Tendencies became the first and only seeded robot to withdraw from the main competition after having mechanical issues. This occurred after defeating Rick, which was entered by a team that Suicidal Tendencies had beaten in The Fourth Wars.
- Like The Morgue in Series 4, Rick reached the heat final after losing in the first round and being reinstated.
- This was the only heat and episode of Series 5 not to feature a Series 4 Semi-Finalist, with the top seed Razer being ranked fourth largely because of its status as a two-time Robot Wars World Champion, and Suicidal Tendencies being seeded twenty-first after reaching the Heat Final.
- This was the only Heat of Series 5 to have both seeds not lose a battle in the series.
- Rick was the only robot in Series 5 to lose to both seeds in a heat.
- Widow's Revenge were the only heat semi-finalists not to be mentioned on the battle board by Jonathan Pearce following their defeat, taken up instead by the news of the Suicidal Tendencies team's withdrawal and Rick's reinstatement.
[]
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