- "This is Robot Wars Revealed, where we take a unique undercover look at the mechanised mayhem that is Robot Wars. The mission... to design and construct a radio-controlled fighting machine, capable of outright destruction. The aim... total annihilation of your opponents! And for our roboteers, the outcome is either complete victory... or a smoking pile of scrap metal! But who will be the victor, and who will be the vanquished? Let's find out!"
- — Philippa Forrester's introduction
Episode 10 of Robot Wars Revealed was originally aired on BBC Choice on 22 January 1999. It presented behind-the-scenes footage of Heat J of Robot Wars: The Second Wars, including video diaries of the Broot, Ivanhoe and Penetrator teams preparing their robots for the main competition.
Robots Featured[]
Newcomers[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Broot | ||
| Weight | 80.2kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.2 x 0.64 x 0.42m | |
| Speed | 6mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 60mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Spring loaded rod (300kg) | |
| Notes | Speed controller from a British Legion wheelchair. Cost £140 to build | |
| From: Southampton | ||
| Team Members: Ben Symons, Katy Symons & Mark Symons | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ivanhoe | ||
| Weight | 79.5kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.05 x 0.7 x 0.65m | |
| Speed | 6mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 25mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Lance and axe | |
| Notes | Axe chopping rate at one per second. Batteries & motors from wheelchair | |
| From: Norwich | ||
| Team Members: Craig Weightman & Stuart Weightman | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kill Dozer | ||
| Weight | 79.1kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.5 x 0.73 x 0.3m | |
| Speed | 5mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0.1m | |
| Ground Clearance | 10mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | 2000PSI hydraulic lifting blades | |
| Notes | Pivots around rear axle. A carbon fibre and aluminium shell | |
| From: Southampton | ||
| Team Members: Paul Hart, Steve Scotcher & Howard Andrews | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Penetrator | ||
| Weight | 74.7kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 0.7 x 0.38m | |
| Speed | 6mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 5mm | |
| Power | 6 x 6V batteries | |
| Weapons | Spikes and cutting disc | |
| Notes | Took 4 months to build at a cost of £400. Motors from a kid's go-kart | |
| From: Halifax | ||
| Team Members: Andrew Kettle & Stephen Lister | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Talos | ||
| Weight | 75.2kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.15 x 0.68 x 0.36m | |
| Speed | 5mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 40mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | 2 x Fixed steel spikes/lance | |
| Notes | Cost over £500 and took 3 months to build. Home made speed controllers | |
| From: Oldham | ||
| Team Members: Ian Wilkinson, James Hibbert & Mike Luke | ||
Veterans[]
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| G.B.H. | ||
| Weight | 79.3kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.31 x 0.7 x 0.45m | |
| Speed | 5mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 25mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Lifting ramp and rear 7" circular saws | |
| Notes | Fought in the First Wars with Scrapper | |
| From: London | ||
| Team Members: Mike Rickard, Mike Smith & Charles Lavery | ||
Content[]
Video Diaries[]
Broot[]
Mark Symons explains the build process for the partially-assembled Broot
The first Broot diary (filmed 9 July 1998) opened with an introduction from Mark Symons, itself briefly interrupted by the sound of a flying aircraft. With his daughter Alice holding the camera, Symons then explained the process of dismantling and reusing necessary components from a standard motorised wheelchair, the wheels of which were planned to be modified. Broot's 66mm ground clearance and spring-powered spike weapon were also highlighted, the robot's chassis and internals already shown to be partially complete at this stage.
Ben Symons applies paint to Broot's custom-made wheels
The second diary highlighted the custom plywood wheels ultimately used by Broot, the original wheelchair-sourced components being completely discarded. Holes had been drilled into the wheel discs as a weight-saving measure, before Ben Symons applied black paint to them by hand. The final clip (filmed on 12 July) showed Mark Symons thanking the Robot Wars production team for filming the series over the summer months, ironically while he and the partially-complete Broot took shelter during a very wet day.
- "I would just like to say, thank you very much Robot Wars, for filming this during the summer. Otherwise, we may have got soaking wet!"
- — Mark Symons
Ivanhoe[]
A virtually-finished Ivanhoe undergoes testing
The internals and plywood frame of Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe's diary opened with a clip of the near-completed robot and its axe being tested in the Weightman family's back patio, ten days prior to filming. By this stage, the robot's bodyshell had yet to be painted, giving it a bright blue appearance. Stuart Weightman next explained Ivanhoe's internals, including a scratch-built battery box secured together using several belts, before instructing Craig to gingerly drive the unarmoured plywood chassis around inside the front garage. Stuart next outlined the 'knight's visor' design which would be applied to Ivanhoe's bodyshell, along with additional metal armour layers subject to weight restrictions.
Penetrator[]
A six-wheeled kart, similar to the one used as Penetrator's basis
Penetrator tests its cutting disc
Shown before highlights of the Tug of War Trial, Penetrator's diary opened with Stephen Lister introducing Andrew Kettle's workshop in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Kettle was seen giving an overview of the robot's transformation from what was initially a child-sized six-wheeled kart, at the same time highlighting issues with the donor vehicle's two-motor drive system and limited load capacity of 60lbs (approximately 27.2kg). To get around these, the middle set of wheels was removed and two extra kart motors added. These alterations improved Penetrator's manoeuvrability and enabled direct drive to all four of its remaining wheels. Subsequent clips revealed the 'Aladdin's cave' of Penetrator's internals, along with a test of its front cutting disc weapon with Kettle standing close by.
Interviews[]
Both the Talos and Kill Dozer teams commented favourably on the number of 'well-engineered' and competitive robots in the field, with Paul Hart highlighting the 'Dr. Martens'-esque RoboDoc as a particularly strong and well-designed competitor. Having initially believed that his team's machine would perform well, Penetrator's Andrew Kettle expressed fresh apprehension upon seeing other competitors and the updated House Robots. Stuart Weightman commented on Ivanhoe's comparatively 'budget' design built from various pieces of scrap, leading directly into its first video diary.
Gauntlet[]
The Gauntlet stage is set...
... but Colin Tilley encounters last-minute issues with Sir Killalot
Philippa Forrester's intro from the main Heat J was followed by Glen Collins' briefing for the roboteers, revealing that Sir Killalot was once more intended to patrol the general Gauntlet area (likely the start of the left-hand and centre routes) in this Heat. However, technical issues prevented Sir Killalot from being used, despite the best efforts of Colin Tilley and other crewmembers to rectify those in time. Thus, Matilda was drafted in to take his place, the substitution met with relief from various roboteers including Paul Hart and Andrew Kettle.
Highlights of Penetrator's run followed, wherein it tentatively cleared the breeze blocks and traversed the see-saw ramp on the centre route. After this, it was blocked and axed by Shunt, before receiving similar interventions from Dead Metal which resulted in it being pushed back past the see-saw into a spiked pyramid. Next to compete was Kill Dozer, also attempting the centre route, whose run ended with it getting beached on the see-saw and cut into by Matilda's chainsaw. When asked by Philippa Forrester whether the team would've chosen another route, Paul Hart agreed in hindsight.
Emphasis was next placed on Broot's run, and the apprehension felt by Ben Symons as he prepared to drive it through the course. A clip of Broot being lined up in its starting area was followed by highlights of its attempt at the centre route, which was hampered by the robot being unable to clear the wall of breeze blocks. Matilda rounded up and proceeded to cut into Broot's wheels and frame with her chainsaw before time ran out. Still nervous after the end of his machine's run – to the point of shaking during Philippa Forrester's interview – Symons was content, but admitted that he was hoping to have performed better. However, he was still relieved that the damage inflicted by Matilda was not as severe as it could have been.
The Robot Wars crew extract Dead Metal from the pit following Talos' run
The Talos team initially elected to attempt the centre route, but decided during their actual run to negotiate the left-hand route instead. Talos initially suffered at the hands of an arena spike, but eventually made good progress, at one point forcing Dead Metal to drive back into a nearby pit. This was not enough to prevent it from sustaining more damage from both Shunt and Matilda towards the end. However, the Talos team received applause as they returned to The Pits, later discovering that the only major issue affecting their machine was a dislodged battery connector. The effort by crewmembers (including Mat Irvine) to haul Dead Metal out of the pit was also broadcast.
The damage dealt to G.B.H.'s scoop
Team On-The-Edge – themselves also admitting their apprehension ahead of The Gauntlet – again chose the centre route, with Mike Rickard mentioning their bid to challenge Matilda and a radio 'dead band' causing radio interference issues for other competitors. G.B.H. stuck to this plan, ploughing through the breeze blocks and negotiating the see-saw effortlessly. It proceeded to tussle with the patrolling House Robots – taking major damage to its scoop from Dead Metal in the process – ultimately becoming one of only two competitors to reach the end zone in the main Heat. Upon being returned to The Pits, G.B.H.'s scoop cover was secured to its framework using clench nuts and 5mm bolts, effectively restoring it to a near-intact state.
Ivanhoe is wheeled up the arena entry ramp
Last to be wheeled in was Ivanhoe, which, like Kill Dozer, initially found itself stuck on the see-saw after demolishing the breeze block wall. An attack by Matilda inadvertently pushed it forwards and off the ramp completely, allowing Ivanhoe to eventually reach the end zone despite interventions from Shunt, Sergeant Bash and an arena spike. Stuart Weightman explained his and Craig's strategy upon their return to The Pits, while Ben Symons appeared largely unfazed as he and his family received confirmation that Broot would be eliminated.
Trial (Tug of War)[]
The 'secret' spikes added to Kill Dozer for the Tug of War
Andrew Kettle demonstrates Penetrator's brush modification
Craig Charles' introduction from the main Heat J was immediately followed by an interview with Penetrator's Andrew Kettle. Kettle explained that his machine's tussle with Dead Metal resulted in serious damage to three of its four gearboxes, which was repaired in time for it to compete in the Tug of War. Interviews next focused on Trial-specific modifications carried out by a number of teams. 'Secret' twin spikes were fixed to Kill Dozer's front scoop frame in an attempt to dig into the platform, while Penetrator was revealed to have also received its own set of additions. These included rubber tyre treads, extra drive chains linking both pairs of wheels, and a hinged brush attachment which was intended to lift Penetrator's rear wheels up and make it more difficult for Matilda to drag into the pit.
G.B.H. is chained up for its Tug of War run
Ivanhoe is heaved out of the pit
Team On-The-Edge and Paul Hart were next seen discussing possible tactics, prior to clips of both G.B.H. and Talos being tethered to Matilda during preparations for their respective attempts. Highlights of all five competitors' performances followed, the best of which came from Kill Dozer, which survived the full 30 seconds as a result of its spike modification. Despite the aforementioned modifications done to it, Penetrator was among the remainder to be pitted. Robot Wars crewmembers were seen extracting Ivanhoe from the pit, which was followed up by an interview between Philippa Forrester and the Weightmans.
- "...the other robot, very powerful. So even though we [kicks Ivanhoe off-screen] took some precautions, it didn't quite work!"
- — Stuart Weightman
Meanwhile, the Penetrator team were very pleased with their machine's 9-second run, Andrew Kettle revealing that it had performed better than they had expected. While the brush attachment proved unsuccessful – having broken off during its attempt – Kettle reassured to Forrester that Penetrator's gearboxes were 'fine'.
- Philippa Forrester: "Now you told me you had sweaty palms [loud background noise] just before you went in. So what happened? Did your palms slip, or was it the go-kart motors in there that weren't enough? What was it?"
- Andrew Kettle: "Bit's dropped off!"
- Stephen Lister: "Inferior material, I think!"
- — The Penetrator team reveal the cause of their robot's downfall
Off the back of Kill Dozer's Trial-winning performance, Paul Hart reaffirmed the effectiveness of its extra spikes. However, it was unable to pull Matilda further back as its rear-mounted wheels could not make contact with the ramp behind. Philippa Forrester and Team On-The-Edge joked about G.B.H.'s 'pulling power' as they discussed its 23-second run. While interviewing the Penetrator team, Forrester impersonated their members' Yorkshire accents as they prepared to face their elimination. Promising their return for the next series, Andrew Kettle humorously pledged to bring his whippet and flat cap along with him, though the Penetrator team would ultimately not appear again on Robot Wars.
Arena Semi Finals[]
Craig Charles' intro and clips from previous Arena battles were followed by a clip where multiple roboteers (including Team Ivanhoe) jokingly quipped 'aggression' while situated around a pit bench. Behind-the-scenes clips of the first Semi Final – Ivanhoe vs Kill Dozer – followed, including one where a Robot Wars crewmember stated directly to the camera that he had earmarked Ivanhoe to win. Highlights of the actual fight included collisions between the two machines and Kill Dozer's lift on Ivanhoe, after which Kill Dozer was set upon by the House Robots once both robots entered the PPZ. Kill Dozer, despite evidently proving the more effective machine, was eliminated after being paraded and held over the Flame Pit by Sir Killalot.
- "We had some problems turning... got underneath [Ivanhoe], but couldn't push him. Too much weight on the front, I think, digging in... and then... the big, bad Sir Killalot came in and barbequed us! He held us over that flame for 30 seconds – it seemed like hours, but, probably at least 30 seconds."
- — Paul Hart on Kill Dozer's strong start and eventual defeat at the jaws of Sir Killalot
The mangled and melted ramming blade of Kill Dozer, following its Arena Semi Final loss
While discussing Kill Dozer's performance and demise back in The Pits, Paul Hart revealed the extent of the fire damage it had sustained. The flames melted the robot's aluminium armour (in actuality its rear ramming blade[1]), radio switch gear and battery cases, the latter two by travelling upwards through its wheelarches. Despite this, the team were relieved to find that Kill Dozer's speed controllers had not been destroyed, only warmed up, compelling Hart and his teammates to check to see if they still worked. As soon as they did, smoke began pouring from wiring on the front-left side which had also melted, forcing Hart to believe that another internal component had malfunctioned.
Talos receives 'war paint' and a longer, sharpened lance
During a brief clip focusing on the victorious Ivanhoe, Stuart Weightman praised his son Craig for his driving in its first battle. Ahead of the second Semi Final, Talos was seen receiving 'last-second adjustments' (including a longer front spike and cosmetic 'war paint'[2]), while Team On-The-Edge concluded tests of G.B.H.'s lifting scoop from their pit bench. In combat, both robots started tentatively, but despite going into the arena with transmission issues, G.B.H. prevailed by lifting and eventually turning Talos completely over. The Talos team inspected their machine's base frame as both competitors returned to The Pits, with an otherwise jubilant Mike Rickard reporting the thermal trip issues that later caused G.B.H. to lose mobility.
- "It had done what we wanted to do. We wanted it to flip things all the time, and it just worked perfectly. But it died after that, but we don't know why. We've got a feeling that it was probably the thermal trip that cut out, but we're not sure. We can look at that... but it works!"
- — Mike Rickard on G.B.H.'s victory and thermal trip issue
Mat Irvine Segments[]
- "King Arthur was never like this. I'm not sure if Ivanhoe actually had a wheelchair underneath this... rather interesting body. In fact, one of the most interesting bodies, in a robotic sense, that we've actually got at the present moment..."
- — Mat Irvine comments favourably on Ivanhoe's medieval-inspired exterior
Mat Irvine examines Ivanhoe's axe
Irvine highlights the pneumatics system inside G.B.H.
While making a few remarks questioning the historical accuracy of Ivanhoe's design, Mat Irvine stated that its medieval-inspired body shape was considered one of the more 'interesting' to appear in Series 2 up to this point. The robot's wheelchair motor drive and axe weapon were also highlighted, the latter powered by a 'spring and ratchet' mechanism, as was Ivanhoe's Arena Semi Final victory which Irvine praised it for. Irvine's analysis of G.B.H. was more brief, focusing solely on the pneumatic ram for its scoop while also referencing the damage it sustained in the Tug of War.
Final[]
Stuart Weightman demonstrates Ivanhoe's rollover design
Highlights of the Heat Final lasted from Ivanhoe's initial pushing attacks on G.B.H., until the moment in which G.B.H. turned Ivanhoe onto its side. Mike Smith admitted afterwards that the battle itself was 'nerve-wracking', especially so with the knowledge that Ivanhoe's design was intended to allow it to roll back onto its wheels. Stuart Weightman explained that Ivanhoe had tried to avoid G.B.H.'s scoop, and the lack of momentum in its opponent's flip caused it to get stranded. A black-and-white clip of Weightman manually rolling Ivanhoe over in The Pits demonstrated that with the right momentum, the rollover properties of its bodyshell would have likely been effective otherwise.
Trivia[]
- This was the first episode of Robot Wars Revealed in which Philippa Forrester wore glasses in her intro and outro links.
- During the Talos team's interview prior to their Gauntlet run, a clip of the Semi-Final centre route configuration being assembled (with spikes, a pit plus both see-saw and static ramps) is shown in place of the actual Heat J configuration (breeze blocks, spikes and see-saw ramp). In terms of original broadcast order, this effectively revealed the updated Gauntlet course before either of the main Semi-Final episodes had premiered on BBC Two.
References[]
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