- "Now, as a comedian, I used to do a routine about bird watchers, peeping toms and look-out men. It was mainly observational comedy, but it got me thinking. There are two types of people in life: watchers and doers. Me: I’m a watcher, ‘cause it saves getting off the couch doesn’t it? But the six competitors, here to fight for a place in our series semi-finals, are most definitely doers. In fact, they’ll do you over; they’ll do you in."
- — Craig Charles' introduction
Heat L of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars (also referred to in recaps as Heat 12) was the twelfth of sixteen heats which determined the semi-finalists of Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars. The episode featuring Heat L was originally broadcast on 22 December 2000 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract 3.64 million viewers, an increase of 930,000 viewers when compared with the previous episode. According to BARB, this meant it ranked twelfth in the top thirty highest rated BBC 2 broadcasts during 18-24 December 2000.
Competing Robots[]
Newcomers[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Knightmare | ||
| Weight | 79.7kg/176lbs | |
| Dimensions | 0.45 x 0.70 x 0.15m/18' x 28' x45' | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W industrial motors | |
| Weapons | Pneumatic flipper | |
| Notes | Took 12 weeks to make | |
| From: Leicester | ||
| Team Members: Nigel Paget, Malcolm Summers & Lee Summers | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fat Boy Tin | ||
| Weight | 77.1kg/170lbs | |
| Dimensions | 1.20 x 0.90 x 0.80m/47' x 35' x 31' | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x 24V motors/Wheelchair motor | |
| Weapons | 2 Spikes | |
| Notes | Built for under £200 | |
| From: Leighton Buzzard | ||
| Team Members: John Lewis & Richard Lewis | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spawn of Scutter (seeded 10th) | ||
| Weight | 78.8kg/174lbs | |
| Dimensions | 0.30 x 1.25m x 1.15m/12' x 49' x 45' | |
| Clearance | 0.01m | |
| Power | 2 x Starter motors | |
| Weapons | Flipping piercing spike/Pneumatic spike | |
| Notes | Runs both ways up | |
| From: Grays, Essex | ||
| Team Members: Darren Ball, Graham Warner & Luke Jackman | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Plunderbird 4 (seeded 26th) | ||
| Weight | 80kg/177lbs | |
| Dimensions | 0.40 x 0.65 x 0.93m/16' x 37' x 26' | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x Electric motors | |
| Weapons | Slicer Dicer (crushing arm) | |
| Notes | Aeroplane aluminium shell | |
| From: Alton, Hampshire | ||
| Team Members: Mike Onslow & Bryan Kilburn | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Banshee | ||
| Weight | 80kg/177lbs | |
| Dimensions | 0.90 x 1.00 x 1.00m/35' x 39' x 39' | |
| Clearance | 0.01m | |
| Power | 2 x Wheelchair motors | |
| Weapons | 4 Lathe tools/Revolving shell | |
| Notes | Body revolves | |
| From: Huddersfield | ||
| Team Members: Graham Walker, Richard Jackson & Alan Marchington | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vercingetorix | ||
| Weight | 80kg/177lbs | |
| Dimensions | 0.32 x 1.18 x 0.50m/13' x 45' x 32' | |
| Clearance | 0.02m | |
| Power | 2 x 750W motors | |
| Weapons | Axe & lifter | |
| Notes | Made of kevlar & lexan | |
| From: Isle of Wight | ||
| Team Members: Ian Gear, Alistair Curtis-Horsefall & Tom Curtis-Horsefall | ||
Eliminators[]
Spawn of Scutter (10) vs Knightmare vs Banshee[]
Spawn of Scutter topples Banshee
Shunt axes Banshee's head
At first the robots simply nudged each other about. Banshee tried attacking Spawn of Scutter with its rotating body and blades, which simply deflected off the seeded robot's wedge. Knightmare was unable to breach Banshee's ground clearance, but this was until Spawn of Scutter and Knightmare both combined a pincer movement on Banshee. Knightmare had Banshee obstructed against its side, giving Spawn of Scutter the required leverage to slip underneath Banshee. Then just after Knightmare drove away, Spawn of Scutter fired its pneumatic spike, which threw Banshee a fair distance and onto its side as well as partially dislodging its head.
- "Thrust away by that spike, there. Venomous, Spawn of Scutter."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Knightmare and Spawn of Scutter were then involved in a pushing match with each other, while Shunt brought its axe down onto Banshee's head and pulled it off before throwing it down on to the Flame Pit, to Jonathan Pearce's amusement.
- "(laughs) Headache? I don't think any pills are gonna... make that one feel better!"
- — Jonathan Pearce bursts into laughter as Shunt axes into Banshee's head
The head of Banshee getting roasted like a marshmallow
Knightmare shepherds Spawn of Scutter into a CPZ
Sir Killalot and Dead Metal subjected Banshee to further punishment, while Shunt picked up Banshee's head once more and spun on the spot with it in celebration. Knightmare and Spawn of Scutter continued their tussle, with Knightmare forcing Spawn of Scutter into a corner and using its flipper to pin it against the arena wall. Banshee was then placed onto the Floor Flipper, with 'cease' called after Banshee was thrust away.
Qualified: Knightmare & Spawn of Scutter
Plunderbird 4 (26) vs Vercingetorix vs Fat Boy Tin[]
Plunderbird 4 crushes Fat Boy Tin
Vercingetorix tips Fat Boy Tin into Sir Killalot
Before the battle, the Fat Boy Tin team had to remove the extending spikes from their robot as it was overweight, leaving it defenseless. Vercingetorix immediately tried to lift Fat Boy Tin, but couldn't gain any purchase, and Fat Boy Tin then pushed Vercingetorix back. Vercingetorix tried again, and this time placed the lifting arm under the front of Fat Boy Tin, but could only lift it slightly.
- "Plunderbird 4 with the 'slicer dicer', Vercingetorix with the axe and lifter, Fat Boy Tin with the, err, smile."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Vercingetorix axes the bottom of Fat Boy Tin
Shunt axes Fat Boy Tin in the face
Fat Boy Tin then pushed Plunderbird 4 back slightly, before Plunderbird 4 and Vercingetorix forced Fat Boy Tin towards the arena wall. Sir Killalot came out and lifted Fat Boy Tin slightly with its claw, while Plunderbird 4 brought its 'slicer dicer' down onto Fat Boy Tin. Vercingetorix lifted Fat Boy Tin and pushed it onto Sir Killalot, with Fat Boy Tin finally falling over once the House Robot reversed.
- "Timber! Ooh, bounced onto Sir Killalot's face, and eventually, over she goes."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Vercingetorix flips Plunderbird 4 on its side
Fat Boy Tin and Vercingetorix are flipped together
Vercingetorix axed the base of the overturned Fat Boy Tin, before the House Robots closed in. Meanwhile, Vercingetorix and Plunderbird 4 continued to fight with each other, with Vercingetorix toppling Plunderbird 4 onto its side, before knocking it back onto its tracks. Sir Killalot then placed Fat Boy Tin onto the Floor Flipper, with Vercingetorix then axing into Fat Boy Tin again just before the Floor Flipper was activated, which caused both robots to be thrown from it. Vercingetorix however slowly managed to self-right by use of its lifting arm, while Shunt then came in to deal one last blow to Fat Boy Tin, axing through its smiley face.
- "Right through the smile - he's not smiling now."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Qualified: Vercingetorix & Plunderbird 4
Semi-Finals[]
Spawn of Scutter (10) vs Vercingetorix[]
Spawn Of Scutter rams and spikes Vercingetorix
Spawn of Scutter pushes Vercingetorix into Sir Killalot
Spawn of Scutter came onto the attack immediately, forcing Vercingetorix back, who tried to respond by axing the top of Spawn of Scutter. Vercingetorix was pushed back against the arena wall, before Spawn of Scutter forced it towards a CPZ, and then launching the pneumatic spike to knock Vercingetorix into Sir Killalot .
- "And that's great tactical awareness by Darren Ball, the driver - pushing them into the CPZ."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Vercingetorix axes Spawn of Scutter
Spawn of Scutter pressures Vercingetorix against the side wall
The House Robot grabbed hold of Vercingetorix and crumpled the side of it, but Vercingetorix managed to escape after axing Sir Killalot. Vercingetorix then axed into the top of Spawn of Scutter, but Spawn of Scutter was still able to push Vercingetorix around, and rammed it into the arena wall again. Refbot came across to help free the jammed axe of Vercingetorix, before Spawn of Scutter forced Vercingetorix towards Sir Killalot and against the arena wall, again with help from its spike.
- "And I think Darren Ball, Graham Warner and Luke Jackman believe - like I do - Vercingetorix is almost finished."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Dead Metal slices into the back end of Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix at the end of the battle
Vercingetorix struggled to move away from the arena wall, as Spawn of Scutter consistently rammed into it. Eventually, Refbot helped move Vercingetorix away from the arena wall, but Vercingetorix couldn't move freely, so the House Robots decided to come in. Dead Metal cut a wound into Vercingetorix, and Shunt added an axe blow before Sir Killalot picked it up, spun it around and tossed it aside. The Floor Flipper then threw Vercingetorix onto its back, and Dead Metal came in and caused further damage, before 'cease' was called.
Winner: Spawn of Scutter
Plunderbird 4 (26) vs Knightmare[]
Knightmare pushes Plunderbird 4 around
Plunderbird 4 grabs hold of the side bars of Knightmare
Knightmare sped away at the start, as Plunderbird 4 - which appeared to have control issues - spun on the spot. Knightmare failed with two attempted flips, while Plunderbird 4 continued to move around in circles. Knightmare then drove up the front of Plunderbird 4, but Plunderbird 4 couldn't bring its weapon into play since it wasn't in an exact position. Refbot barged the two robots apart, before Knightmare finally caught Plunderbird 4 broadside on and flicked it onto its side.
- "At the controls, Mike Onslow, a sculpture model maker. Loves his flying, loves his paragliding - ooh, but can he glide Plunderbird 4 back down to earth?"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Plunderbird 4 is put on its side
Knightmare tips Plunderbird 4
The House Robots gang up on Plunderbird 4
Matilda came in and knocked Plunderbird 4 onto its back, with the other House Robots joining in to inflict further punishment to Plunderbird 4. Shunt axed into it and righted it, before Dead Metal and Matilda joined in.
- "They've been amazing fun, they arrived by helicopter, great design, they can sing a little too - don't ask them to, it's horrendous. But they're wonderful competitors, Mike Onslow and Bryan Kilburn, it has been a privilege to have them with us once again. But, boys, after that big buildup - get out of here! Go on home! We don't want you anymore! Because you're beaten, and there's no place on the Robot Wars history board or hall of fame for losers."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Sir Killalot then put Plunderbird 4 onto its back once more, before picking it up and dropping it into the Pit.
Winner: Knightmare
Final[]
Spawn of Scutter (10) vs Knightmare[]
Spawn of Scutter pushes Knightmare into Shunt but gets axed in the process
Shunt axes Knightmare
Knightmare initially got underneath Spawn of Scutter, but the latter backed away, with Knightmare seemingly immobilised. Spawn of Scutter then used its familiar tactic by spearing and pushing Knightmare towards Shunt. The House Robot caught Spawn of Scutter with its axe, before it damaged Knightmare as well.
- "Look, there's no drive in those wheels, there's nothing going on!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as he notices Knightmare's immobility
Knightmare is thrown by the Floor Flipper
The House Robots pit Knightmare
Shunt moved the immobile Knightmare out of its CPZ, with Spawn of Scutter shoveling it back into Shunt, who axed down again. Knightmare was placed on the Floor Flipper and subsequently thrown over, settling on its useless inverted side.
- "It might be a nightmare to you; it's a dream to the House Robots!"
- — Jonathan Pearce as Knightmare is punished by the House Robots
Knightmare was then placed onto the Flame Pit by Dead Metal and attacked by Matilda and Shunt, before Sir Killalot picked it up and Shunt pitted it.
Heat Winner: Spawn of Scutter
- "The crowds go mad when Robbie Williams tours, but it can’t match the screamin’ on Robot Wars!"
- — Craig Charles' sign-off
Trials[]
Diotoir - burning again
During the Fourth Wars, alongside the main competition, a Pinball Warrior Tournament and Sumo Basho Competition were also held. Unlike the similar competitions of the Third Wars, these trials featured successful qualifiers for Series 4. In between the first and second rounds of each heat, a Pinball run took place, and two Sumo attempts took place in between Round 2 and the Heat Final in each of the first eight heats. For Heat L, the Pinball featured Diotoir.
Pinball Warrior Tournament - Diotoir[]
Score: 180 points
Trivia[]
- This heat was the first of two occasions in which Team Scutterbots and Team Knightmare met in a Heat Final, the second being Heat N of the Seventh Wars. Although Team Scutterbots won on this occasion, Team Knightmare got its revenge in the Seventh Wars when Raging Knightmare threw Spawn Again out of the arena.
- The second Eliminator of this heat marked the only occasion where every competing robot in a battle was thrown by the Floor Flipper. Fat Boy Tin was flipped along with the qualifying Plunderbird 4 (which was partially over the flipper panel itself) and Vercingetorix (which had axed Fat Boy Tin as it was flipped).
- There was a typing error on the battle board in this episode, where incorrect spacing before the brackets for the seeding led to Spawn of Scutter being listed as Spawn of Scutter( 10).
- For Plunderbird 4's Eliminator introduction, the International Wreck Crew arrived at the studio in a Chinook helicopter, courtesy of RAF Odiham.
- Two variations of this segment are known to exist; the original televised version included the Thunderbirds theme as a likely homage to the robot's name. The Mech+/Pluto TV version, however, uses the regular Robot Wars battle music, though Jonathan Pearce's voiceover and references to International Rescue (the organisation from the Thunderbirds series) remain the same in both versions.
[]
| ||||||||||||||