- "Over the weeks on Robot Wars, we've seen total mechanised carnage, and witnessed the human drama of contenders desperate for victory. And on Robot Wars Revealed, with video diaries, exclusive Pits action, and the best of the battles, we see even deeper into the robotic recesses of contenders' minds. So, strap yourselves in, hold tight and no screaming - let's meet the madmen!"
- — Philippa Forrester's introduction
Episode 11 of Robot Wars Revealed was originally aired on BBC Choice on 5 February 1999. It presented behind-the-scenes footage of Heat K of Robot Wars: The Second Wars, including video diaries of the Mega Hurts, Plunderbird 2 and Enzyme teams preparing their robots for the main competition.
Robots Featured[]
Newcomers[]
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Demon | ||
Weight | 71.9kg | |
Dimensions | 1.6 x 0.8 x 0.5m | |
Speed | 2mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 10mm | |
Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
Weapons | 10mm steel spikes | |
Notes | Wheelchair motors. Aluminium shell and 2 wheel drive | |
From: Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire | ||
Team Members: Dave Clutterbuck, Joanne Russell & Nick Adams |
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Enzyme | ||
Weight | 78.6kg | |
Dimensions | 1.26 x 0.74 x 0.42m | |
Speed | 6mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 15mm | |
Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
Weapons | 100kg forklift | |
Notes | Took 7 months to build and cost £100. Chassis and motors from wheelchair | |
From: Eastbourne | ||
Team Members: Murray Ballard, John Ballard, Andrew Wilkins & Angus Dunican |
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Mega Hurts | ||
Weight | 71.8kg | |
Dimensions | 1.15 x 0.6 x 0.63m | |
Speed | 4mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 40mm | |
Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
Weapons | Keyboard disguised lift | |
Notes | 4 x drive motors salvaged from Ford Fiesta windscreen wipers | |
From: Preston | ||
Team Members: Dave Lund, Tony Lund & Gordon Keeling |
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Phoenix | ||
Weight | 78.6kg | |
Dimensions | 1.24 x 0.74 x 0.4m | |
Speed | 15mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 112mm | |
Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
Weapons | Tungsten tipped blades | |
Notes | Industrial motors 140A, 800W. Took 2-3 months to build. Cost £500 | |
From: Elstead in Surrey | ||
Team Members: David Croft, J.P. Abgrall & Charles Lavery |
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The Mule | ||
Weight | 80.1kg | |
Dimensions | 1.05 x 0.77 x 0.47m | |
Speed | 8mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 0-100mm (Variable) | |
Power | Unknown | |
Weapons | 3 x Kicking Legs and forklift | |
Notes | Lawnmower wheels and motors. Took 4 months to build at a cost of £400 | |
From: Langport in Somerset | ||
Team Members: Roger Plant |
Veterans[]
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Plunderbird 2 | ||
Weight | 81.3kg | |
Dimensions | 0.9 x 1.1 x 0.37m | |
Speed | 10mph | |
Turning Circle | 0m | |
Ground Clearance | 20mm | |
Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
Weapons | Pneumatic steel screw ram | |
Notes | Fought in the First Wars with Plunderbird 1 | |
From: Bordon in Hampshire | ||
Team Members: Mike Onslow, Bryan Kilburn & Ken Burt |
Content[]
Video Diaries[]
Mega Hurts[]
- "We got four weeks... you reckon we can do it?"
- — Gordon Keeling, as The Terminals learn of Mega Hurts' selection
Shown after the Preston-based Terminals introduced the electronics for their machine, Mega Hurts' first diary initially showed the team discussing their acceptance into the televised Series 2. With only four weeks to complete their entry - a matter taking Gordon Keeling by surprise – a trip to a nearby breakers' yard was arranged, where the team found several old cars including the Ford Fiestas which would provide them with its windscreen wiper motors.

Mega Hurts - awaiting full assembly - tests its lifter

The Terminals weigh a partially-finished Mega Hurts
The second, shorter diary featured clips of Mega Hurts' lifter and drive system being tested, before showing The Terminals gradually assembling their robot's frame and bodyshell piece-by-piece. A set of farm weighing scales, normally used to weigh livestock, was also used to weigh the partially-complete robot.

The raised chisel of Mega Hurts during testing
The third diary, shown directly after Mega Hurts' elimination from the Trial stage, saw Gordon Keeling introduce the partially-complete machine along with Dave and Tony Lund. Test footage of Mega Hurts' rear 'power hacksaw chisel' followed, demonstrating the weapon as being able to reciprocate in both the raised and lowered positions. Other family members entered the team workshop to take admiring glances of the machine, which was subsequently tested in a local church hall before being loaded for the journey to Series 2 filming.
Plunderbird 2[]

Plunderbird 2 drags a Range Rover during testing
Plunderbird 2's first diary covered the 'final assembly' and testing undertaken by the International Wreck Crew from their Hampshire base, just two days before filming. Mike Onslow explained to the camera that his team had spent three weeks getting the robot to this state, and was confident that it would be ready to run that evening. Onslow and Ken Burt were next seen grinding away at individual components from inside the team workshop, before Plunderbird 2's drive motors were wired up for the first time. Upon seeing Plunderbird 2 chug into life, Burt was satisfied enough with its control that he considered not using the limit switches that he originally intended to use as part of its circuitry.
On the eve of Series 2, an outdoor test was conducted where the near-complete Plunderbird 2 effortlessly dragged a Range Rover belonging to Ken Burt.
- Bryan Kilburn: "And some of you may remember we was assaulted in the first series, but..."
- Mike Onslow: "We!"
- Ken Burt: "Are!"
- Bryan Kilburn: "Back!"
- — The International Wreck Crew introduce an interim Plunderbird 2 during their video diaries

"Oh, it's David..."
At the conclusion of the episode, a second diary compilation showed numerous outtakes of the International Wreck Crew performing an introduction in full character and costume. The first of these involved them being interrupted by a dog belonging to one of the team members, named David. Plunderbird 2 by this stage had yet to receive its pneumatic ram weapon, with the overall design of its bodyshell and armour also featuring several detail differences including a small grille ahead of the rear battery compartment.
Enzyme[]
- "The Enzyme team have gone to the extraordinary length of building a replica Gauntlet in the back garden. But will ladders and lumps of wood match the power of The Sentinel and Sir Killalot?"
- — Philippa Forrester as Enzyme is driven around its team's homemade Gauntlet course

The partially-finished Enzyme wins a pushing match against Angus Dunican

Enzyme - with an early lifter design - clears a 'replica' see-saw
Enzyme's first diary initially saw the partially-completed robot tested in a pushing match against Angus Dunican, where Dunican and Andrew Wilkins were both unsuccessful in attempting to push and pull it back. Next, the yellow and black biohazard symbol was applied to the top lid of its bodyshell, and the fully-assembled machine put through its paces in a 'replica' Gauntlet course made by the team themselves. The improved control box and forklift spikes were also mentioned by team leader Oliver Bethley (referred to in the diaries as "Ollie"), who was unable to attend filming due to a family holiday, but wished for his fellow team members to succeed.

The Enzyme team with their robot's basis - a "borrowed" electric wheelchair
The second diary began with Bethley and his fellow team members introducing themselves along with the electric wheelchair they cannibalised to form the basis of Enzyme. Though still at a very early stage in the robot's build process, the young roboteers had already dismantled and welded sections onto the wheelchair chassis themselves, with Bethley and Angus Dunican also discussing the potential pushing power of its existing drive system. Another clip revealed the decision-making behind the robot's final name, explaining that "Enzyme" meant to them a type of 'evil acid' with corrosive properties. Bethley and Murray Ballard were next seen drilling, welding and grinding down different parts of Enzyme's would-be chassis. The last clip also featured a humorous jump cut where Angus Dunican, after being told not to get in the way, disappears upon saying "Beam me up, Scotty."
Interviews[]
- "All in all really, it's a much sleeker, meaner, much more offensive machine than it was last time. We intend not to get trashed!"
- — Mike Onslow summarises the improved Plunderbird 2

The lifting 'steel screw ram' on Plunderbird 2: one of many improvements for the International Wreck Crew machine
Multiple teams explained their machines in detail in interview clips shown during and after their individual robot introductions. Phoenix team captain David Croft explained that it was being funded by an American company sponsoring his team, whose office it was able to damage during testing. Regarding Plunderbird 2, Mike Onslow confidently expressed its improvements over the original Series 1 incarnation, interspersed with a highlights clip of its previous defeat in The Gauntlet. The effort to prepare Plunderbird 2 for the competition was also discussed, of which Onslow explained that the International Wreck Crew often kept working until the early morning to get it finished.
In separate clips, Roger Plant briefly explained The Mule's name, three-legged weapon system and capacity to throw a Land Rover wheel 20ft into the air. A second clip also highlighted the robot's 'positively-driven' three-wheel drive system which enabled it to maintain contact with the arena floor in most situations. Dave Clutterbuck revealed that Demon took two months to build, while The Terminals explained the basis of the partially-assembled Mega Hurts, the electronics of which used no fewer than seven Ford windscreen wiper motors for the drive and weapon systems. Similarly, Angus Dunican of the Enzyme team briefly summarised the process of its conversion from an electric wheelchair, whose control system was carried over and adapted to run on a servo-based controller assembly.
Gauntlet[]
- "This is the first time that any roboteer has seen The Gauntlet. Will the months of preparation stand up to the challenge? Time for more fine tuning..."
- — Philippa Forrester

One of the Gauntlet pits, highlighted during Glen Collins' briefing for Heat K contestants

Phoenix's David Croft shows his machine's unusable microcontroller
An extract from Philippa Forrester's introduction was followed by Glen Collins' briefing, which placed more emphasis on the hazards scattered down the left-hand route. Upon explaining the function of Phoenix's original microcontroller setup, David Croft revealed a mishap where he accidentally 'miswired' and caused them to burn out. As the Phoenix team could not replace or repair the damaged parts to make these controllers functional again, they were forced to rewire the robot with a mechanical controller setup. Aside from minor adjustments to its weapon buttons – enabling its 'legs' to fire left or right-handedly - Roger Plant reported that The Mule had no technical difficulties since the day it arrived at filming.
Other teams such as The Terminals jokingly denied that they were nervous about facing The Gauntlet. Mike Onslow, meanwhile, maintained quiet confidence in Plunderbird 2's improvements and pushing power. As in the main Heat K, teammate Bryan Kilburn quipped about the robot's 'wobbly aerial', though he and Onslow discussed this in a considerably less exaggerated fashion in this episode.
- Mike Onslow: "We've got a much better machine this year. We've got tracks, big bulldozer blade, and..."
- Bryan Kilburn: "... a wobbly aerial. Very good wobbly aerial."
- Mike Onslow: "So, yeah, wobbly aerial. Just... no worries at all."
- — The International Wreck Crew raise their hopes for a successful Series 2 run
Following the first of Enzyme's video diaries, highlights of the latter's attempt were shown, where it made a solid run through the left-hand route up until it brushed Matilda and caught the lip of the second pit. Matilda eventually tipped Enzyme in to end its run, after which a content Angus Dunican revealed the superficial scars inflicted to its front panel. A similar, but slower run was performed on the same route by Demon, which cleared the course despite picking up more noticeable damage from Matilda's chainsaw as well as being pinned against the railings by Sir Killalot. Nick Adams complemented the 'nice gouge' punctured over Demon's face while assuring Philippa Forrester that it was still internally sound.
- Philippa Forrester: "Now, [it] doesn't matter what it looks like. What's it gonna perform like?"
- Nick Adams: "There's no damage inside where all the power is. We knew we had good power... and down the end, where the two robots were both on us, we just kept pushing 'em and we got run out to the end..."
- — Nick Adams summarises Demon's strong run
Despite the Phoenix team being forced to revert to a servo-driven control system, their machine demonstrated a speedy run through the centre route. This speed proved to be Phoenix's undoing, however, as the resulting control issues caused it to drive itself off the ramp where it was hooked for several seconds. Phoenix, upon freeing itself, was eventually blocked and had its right tyre cut by Sir Killalot's jaws of life, ultimately being eliminated at this stage of the competition. Regardless, David Croft was pleasantly surprised at having exceeded his team's expectations, though not without commenting on the visibility issues presented by the sphere which Phoenix had passed.
- "A bit of tension up there, with lots of things going on around you. Lights on... try to stay calm... and drive in the right place. Keep out of that idiot's way down the other end, that three tonnes of... scrap metal... and cutting devices!"
- — Roger Plant opens up on his tactics for The Gauntlet

The not-so 'toasted' mouse on the front of Mega Hurts, upon its completion of The Gauntlet
Next to attempt The Gauntlet was The Mule, which like Enzyme and Demon attempted the left-hand route. Initially, progress was limited after the Somerset machine locked horns with Matilda, but after being jostled by a spike The Mule raced down to the end zone after navigating past her and The Sentinel. Dave Lund revealed Mega Hurts' intention to tackle the right-hand route, after which The Terminals unanimously agreed to try and get themselves a 'toasted mouse' in the process. Despite instances where it was delayed by the Ramrig and Sir Killalot, Mega Hurts made steady progress to become the second competitor to reach the end zone. Better still, the mouse had managed to survive intact despite Mega Hurts driving past Sergeant Bash and over the Flame Pit at various points. The robot’s keyboard-inspired lifter was also briefly highlighted before the episode cut to its second video diary.
In anticipation of their own run, the International Wreck Crew remained bullish against the House Robots, with Mike Onslow taking particular delight in The Sentinel shedding parts of its decorative pipework during Enzyme's performance. Bryan Kilburn promised that it was Plunderbird 2's time to 'do some trashing'; however, its actual Gauntlet run suggested otherwise. Having negotiated past The Sentinel with no issues on the left-hand route, it suddenly nose-dived into the second pit upon encountering Matilda, to the amusement of Mike Onslow himself. The segment concluded with an unedited version of the 'chicken' exchange broadcast in the main Heat K.
- Philippa Forrester: "They're all calling you chickens over there!"
- Mike Onslow: "We're not chickens, we just wanted to get through to the next round..."
- Various roboteers [imitating chickens clucking]: "Bawk, bawk, bawk!"
- Mike Onslow: "... but most of all, we want to have a go at the House Robots, and do some combat - [to the other roboteers] SILENCE! How dare you! We're back and we're gonna stay! More violence!"
- Philippa Forrester: "Right, just between you and me, did you dive in that pit to avoid the House Robots?"
- Mike Onslow: "[chuckling] Absolutely NOT!"
- — Mike Onslow and Plunderbird 2 are accused of cowardice in The Gauntlet
Trial (King of the Castle)[]
- "Look out, there's a Plunderstorm coming!"
- — Ken Burt, immediately before highlights of King of the Castle

A bumper is secured to the King of the Castle platform
Craig Charles' introduction was followed by a montage of the Robot Wars production crew assembling and applying finishing touches to the King of the Castle arena configuration. An interview with series producer Stephen Carsey revealed that filming for the series had been running behind schedule up to this point, owing to health and safety restrictions concerning arena and House Robot setups for each individual event.

The International Wreck Crew return triumphant
A brief clip of International Wreck Crew's Ken Burt lead to a quickfire montage of all five competitors’ performances, of which Plunderbird 2 made good on its earlier promise by forcing both Dead Metal and Sergeant Bash off the platform. Enzyme and The Mule also survived the full 30 seconds, with Demon not too far behind as it lasted 27.47 seconds while taking Sergeant Bash along with it. Mega Hurts would end up with the shortest time of 22.20 seconds after getting pushed off by both House Robots simultaneously. The International Wreck Crew returned triumphantly to The Pits, Plunderbird 2 having soundly redeemed itself following its earlier pitfall. The Terminals, facing terminal elimination, were still satisfied nevertheless, with Mega Hurts effectively enabling the House Robots to drive themselves off the platform as well.
- Philippa Forrester: "So... who's chicken now?"
- Mike Onslow: "Well, we just had to have a go, didn't we? And we just had to get stuck in and do some damage. We always wanted to do some damage and now we got a chance to do some damage! We didn't get a chance in the last War, because we was assaulted... unfairly assaulted, by the House Robots, and now we got our revenge!"
- — Mike Onslow as the International Wreck Crew emerge triumphant
Arena Semi Finals[]
Craig Charles' introduction was followed by Philippa Forrester revealing the draw for the second Semi Final (Plunderbird 2 vs Enzyme) to Angus Dunican; a delighted Dunican and his teammates replied that they had wanted to avoid facing The Mule altogether. In the ensuing battle, Plunderbird 2 emerged as the more dominant machine, using its ramming blade to push Enzyme across the arena and into Sergeant Bash before trying to initiate its own attack on Sir Killalot towards the end. Having run out of time to properly attack the House Robots, Mike Onslow revealed in The Pits that Plunderbird 2 was reversing during a moment where it seemed as if it was being pushed back by Enzyme, and that it was hampered by the failure of its own pneumatic ram weapon.
With Plunderbird 2 winning on a Judges' decision, Philippa Forrester told Roger Plant of the remaining Semi Final draw (Demon vs The Mule), to which Plant felt he would 'manage' against Demon's wedge shape. Despite attempting to get an early lift in, The Mule was portrayed to struggle in the accompanying highlights as it was pushed into the PPZ by Demon and attacked by the House Robots. The moment where Sir Killalot drove up the front of a motionless Demon was also shown, after which Dave Clutterbuck and his team returned from the arena to update Philippa Forrester on its confirmed immobilisation. Roger Plant explained to the cameraman that The Mule had continuously pushed Demon across the arena while also narrowly avoiding getting pitted itself, convincingly securing the Judges' decision in his machine's favour.
Mat Irvine Segments[]

Mat Irvine with The Mule
Mat Irvine began by discussing The Mule's unusual three-wheeled system, which incorporated a single front wheel capable of swivelling at a 90-degree angle. This design feature enabled the machine to perform 'extremely tight' turning circles with the rear wheels in reverse drive. The pneumatic 'legs' comprising The Mule's weaponry were also briefly covered, prompting an allusion to the character of the same name from the Isaac Asimov novel Foundation and Empire.
Moving on to Plunderbird 2, Irvine brought up the International Wreck Crew's reputation and early First Wars exit, along with their improved performance in The Second Wars up to this point. The latter was attributed to new tracks (claimed to be made out of a conveyer belt), large batteries and the as-yet unused ram, quoted as being made out of a car jack. Irvine wished the International Wreck Crew good luck for the Heat Final, before the segment transitioned into a montage of the team set to a lengthened sample of their theme tune.
Final[]
- "Lovely little bout with [The] Mule. We said we were gonna kick ass, and we did!"
- — Ken Burt following the Heat Final between Plundebird 2 and The Mule

Roger Plant (The Mule) and Ken Burt (Plunderbird 2) exchange a handshake over a 'good equal' Heat Final
Amongst behind-the-scenes clips of Plunderbird 2 and the International Wreck Crew at various stages of the competition, the above montage concluded with highlights of the Heat Final itself. Plunderbird 2 repeatedly got underneath and pushed The Mule across different parts of the arena, surviving a lift from Roger Plant's machine and an axe blow from Shunt in the process. The Judges' decision ruled that Plunderbird 2 would progress to the Series Semi Finals, though Ken Burt later reported that it lost a piece of welding, encountered intermittent radio issues, and again suffered with a malfunctioning ram. An exhausted Roger Plant congratulated and shook hands with Burt on a 'good equal' fight between the two machines.
Trivia[]
- This episode was the second in which Philippa Forrester wore glasses in her intro and outro segments.
- This episode contained an extended sample of the International Wreck Crew theme, played over highlights of the Heat Final between Plunderbird 2 and The Mule.
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