Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2/Iron Maidens

The Iron Maidens was a competition held during Robot Wars Extreme: Series 2. It featured six robots all driven by female members of their teams and also wives and girlfriends of regular team members. The format was two eliminators, two semi-finals and a final, similar to a Series 4 heat. The episode was first shown on January 29, 2003 on BBC Choice and was repeated on September 19, 2003 on BBC Two.

Competing RobotsEdit

	Behemoth
	Weight	100kg
	Dimensions	0.63 x 1.03 x 0.66m
	Power	Electric motor
	Weapons	Pneumatic flipper & axe
	Strengths	Speed and power
	Weaknesses	Inexperience
From: Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire
Team Members: Liz Pritchard, Anthony Pritchard & Claire Gray

	Chompalot
	Weight	96kg
	Dimensions	0.66 x 1.22 x 0.68m
	Power	2 x Electric motors
	Weapons	Hydraulic jaws and rear spike
	Strengths	Self-righting mechanism
	Weaknesses	Knights in shining armour
From: Derby
Team Members: Debs Cook, Simon Cook & James Cook

	Kat 3
	Weight	97kg
	Dimensions	1.15 x 1.25 x 0.84m
	Power	2 x 1000W Electric Motors
	Weapons	Pneumatic axe
	Strengths	Girl power
	Weaknesses	Driver control
From: Addlestone in Surrey
Team Members: Georje Reed, Julie-Ann Williams & Hazel Heslop

	Pussycat
	Weight	96kg
	Dimensions	0.66 x 0.90 x 0.63m
	Power	2 x Electric motors
	Weapons	Spinning blade
	Strengths	Always lands on its feet
	Weaknesses	Exposed tyres
From: Gloucester in Gloucestershire
Team Members: Ann Gribble, Alan Gribble & Stuart Barnwell

	Riptilion
	Weight	85kg
	Dimensions	0.25 x 1.39 x 1.50m
	Power	2 x Electric motors
	Weapons	Spikes and spinning claws
	Strengths	Fast, strong and agile
	Weaknesses	Flippable
From: Preston in Lancashire
Team Members: Lorna Graham, Peter Platt & Geoff Graham

	Spin Doctor
	Weight	83kg
	Dimensions	0.53 x 0.66 x 0.66m
	Power	2 x 24v wheelchair motors
	Weapons	Revolving body
	Strengths	Compact and destructive
	Weaknesses	No self-righting mechanism
From: Exeter in Devon
Team Members: Jenny Harlow, Tim Harlow & Alastair Harlow

Round 1Edit

Chompalot vs Spin Doctor vs PussycatEdit

The first Iron Maidens battle got underway with Spin Doctor spinning up to speed, but was rammed by Chompalot, which stopped it revolving. Chompalot pushed Spin Doctor into the Disc of Doom release button, but then released Spin Doctor. Pussycat, meanwhile, dug its blade into the back of Chompalot. Chompalot chased Spin Doctor into the CPZ, where Shunt axed the top of Spin Doctor, although surprisingly Shunt did not puncture the shell. Chompalot then got a grip of Spin Doctor, but let it go again. Pussycat then attacked Spin Doctor, scratching the machine, but not causing any serious damage with its blade. Chompalot then got a grip of Pussycat, before releasing it, and then repeated this again. Pussycat then oddly attacked Mr. Psycho with its disc.

Spin Doctor meanwhile had had its mobility reduced to small movements, as a tyre had come loose from the machine. Pussycat rammed the machine a couple of times, but then left Spin Doctor to be counted out by Refbot. Cease was called soon after this.

Qualified: Chompalot & Pussycat

Kat 3 vs Behemoth vs RiptilionEdit

Oddly, Behemoth began this battle by driving straight into the arena wall, before slamming into the Disc of Doom release tyre, before running into Kat 3 and flipping it over with the bucket. Kat 3 struggled to self-right, whilst Behemoth was axed by Shunt. Kat 3 was pushed onto the angle grinders by Refbot, and Riptilion came in, but could not cause any damage, and subsequently broke down. It was lifted by Behemoth, but not toppled. Eventually, Kat 3 self-righted; however Riptilion was not moving, and the House Robot pounced. Kat 3 pierced Riptilion with its axe, and dragged the machine across the arena, before letting it go, allowing Refbot to start the count out, whilst Behemoth fought with Shunt, and Kat 3 pressed the pit release.

Kat 3 pushed Riptilion towards the pit, Mr. Psycho came in for a hammer blow, before allowing Kat 3 to suspend Riptilion over the pit. Eventually, Mr. Psycho delivered a final blow to pit Riptilion, allowing Kat 3 and Behemoth to progress.

Qualified: Kat 3 & Behemoth

Round 2Edit

Kat 3 vs PussycatEdit

The battle began with Kat 3 missing many axe blows, landing them only on the arena floor. Eventually it landed a hit on the surface of Pussycat, causing minor damage. Pussycat's weapon was more effective, attacking with the blade and dislodging panels from the Kat. Kat 3 then ran towards, and pressed, the pit release tyre. More dodging ensued, until Pussycat finally attacked Kat 3 again, once again causing damage to the side. Pussycat then drove straight into the CPZ, and Killalot came in, but Ann Gribble at the controls spin away. Kat 3 then punctured Pussycat with its axe, but only caused a small hole. Kat 3 then got in behind Pussycat and tried to axe the rear, but missed. Pussycat then ripped away the loose panel entirely, exposing the CO₂ tank, and the wheels.

Kat 3 did not seem fazed by this, however, and attacked Pussycat with its axe. The front of Kat 3 had the front of the machine buckled by Pussycat, but nevertheless both cats survived to the end of the battle, and the fight was decided by the Judges.

The resulting Judges' decision was a split decision, but on the basis of damage, this was awarded to Pussycat, 2-1. Georje Williams agreed with the outcome.

Winner: Pussycat

Chompalot vs BehemothEdit

Both machines dodged each other at the start, Chompalot running into the disc of doom release button, before running over it, conveniently spinning it at the correct angle to allow it to attack Behemoth from behind, but Behemoth was quick enough to turn round and flip Chompalot over. Despite Chompalot featuring a self-righting mechanism, it was unable to self-right, as Chompalot did not have enough hydraulic fluid for its hydraulic rams to function when the entire robot had been inverted.

At this point, Shunt controversially re-righted Chompalot, so Behemoth again tried to flip Chompalot, and in retaliation, Chompalot tried, but failed, to grab Behemoth with its jaws.

Behemoth then ran into the CPZ and Shunt attacked it mercilessly, trapping it in the corner and axing through the top of the machine. Chompalot seized the initiative and pushed Behemoth back into Shunt, one axe blow knocked the link out. Chompalot then grabbed Behemoth, dragged it into the pit release button, before backing away and then holding Behemoth over the pit. Chompalot opened its jaws to drop its target into the pit to claim a surprise win.

Winner: Chompalot

FinalEdit

Pussycat vs ChompalotEdit

The battle began with Pussycat attacking Chompalot with the blade, but Chompalot spun away, but oddly got itself wedged underneath the arena floor, due to the low profile of the weaponry. Sergeant Bash pushed Chompalot to the side, while a ram from Pussycat freed Chompalot, inflicting damage in the process. Chompalot span on the spot. Pussycat and Chompalot fled to the general area of an empty CPZ, where Chompalot was then rammed by Growler. Chompalot then grabbed the shell of Pussycat, but released its foe, as it was unable to push Pussycat while both of its wheels were grounded.

Chompalot then rammed Pussycat into the floor spinner, but again Pussycat escaped. Chompalot once again grabbed Pussycat, but this time did not let go. As Pussycat only had one wheel grounded, Chompalot, after much struggling, pressed the pit release, and dropped Pussycat into the pit, earning it a surprise victory of the Iron Maidens Championship.

Iron Maidens Champion: Chompalot

Trivia Edit

• This tournament was originally going to be known as "Warrior Wives".^[1]
• This episode is most notable for it being the last episode of the original run to be shown on BBC Two, prior to the rights being purchased by Five. As a result, this would be the last time for 13 years an episode of Robot Wars aired on BBC Two.
• After this episode, champion Chompalot was not seen again on the original run of Robot Wars, placing it as one of only a select few robots to win their final battle, before its appearance in Series 8.
• For this episode, Hazel Heslop of Team Firestorm competed with the Kat 3 team.
• The fight between Chompalot and Behemoth is seen as controversial, as Chompalot was righted by Shunt to allow it to continue with, and ultimately win, the battle. Even more than this, it was Shunt who delivered the killing blow to Behemoth, knocking the link out of the front with his axe.
• The name of the episode was most likely a reference to the execution device of the same name. Alternatively, it could also be a reference to the London-based Heavy Metal band Iron Maiden.
• This was the final appearance of Alan Gribble of the Cold Fusion Team before the hiatus and his death.
• Behemoth's weakness was labeled as being inexperience despite having been around since Series 2. However, this was mainly because Liz Pritchard and Claire Grey were at the controls of Behemoth.

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ http://www.chompalot.co.uk/c-robotwars.htm