- "If you're a fan of Robot Wars, you'll already know that it's a unique mixture of mechanised mayhem, human drama, and total carnage. And here on Robot Wars Revealed, we take a look behind the scenes to find out just how the show's fighting machines are made. And we uncover the trials and tribulations of their sometimes frantic creators! Six more teams pit their wits against the clock – and each other – in a bid to become the Robot Wars series champion. Let's see what all the fuss is about..."
- — Philippa Forrester's introduction
Episode 2 of Robot Wars Revealed was originally aired on BBC Choice on 13 November 1998. It presented behind-the-scenes footage of Heat B of Robot Wars: The Second Wars, including video diaries of the Tantrum and Leighviathan teams preparing their robots for the main competition.
Featured Robots[]
Newcomers[]
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|---|---|---|
| Death Trak | ||
| Weight | 74.5kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.2 x 0.6 x 0.3m | |
| Speed | 8mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 55mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Detachable wedge shape | |
| Notes | Wheels acquired from local go-kart firm | |
| From: Huddersfield | ||
| Team Members: Nick Murphy & Arthur Cobill | ||
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|---|---|---|
| Mace | ||
| Weight | 79.4kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 0.8 x 0.4m | |
| Speed | 6mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 15mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | 2000rpm flail and lifting arm | |
| Notes | Can lift over 115kg | |
| From: St. Leonards-on-Sea | ||
| Team Members: Shane Howard & Brian Fountain | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tantrum | ||
| Weight | 72.4kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.6 x 0.75 x 0.32m | |
| Speed | 9mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 50mm | |
| Power | 3 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Spiked flail turning at 1000rpm | |
| Notes | Design/construction cost over £500 and took 200 hours | |
| From: Worthing | ||
| Team Members: Rupert Weeks & Chris Weeks | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wheelosaurus | ||
| Weight | 67.5kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 1.0 x 0.65m | |
| Speed | 10mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Armoured spikes | |
| Notes | Victorian pram wheels and a helicopter gyro stabiliser | |
| From: Guildford | ||
| Team Members: Peter Gibson | ||
Veterans[]
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|---|---|---|
| Chaos (Seeded 6th) | ||
| Weight | 73.6kg | |
| Dimensions | 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.5m | |
| Speed | 20mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 75mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Ram and titanium blade | |
| Notes | Modified phantom jet nose gear retract cylinder | |
| From: Ipswich | ||
| Team Members: George Francis & Mick Cutter | ||
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Leighviathan | ||
| Weight | 82.9kg | |
| Dimensions | 1.4 x 0.8 x 0.6m | |
| Speed | 10mph | |
| Turning Circle | 0m | |
| Ground Clearance | 30mm | |
| Power | 2 x 12V batteries | |
| Weapons | Petrol driven chainsaw | |
| Notes | Geared wheelchair motors with four wheel drive | |
| From: Leigh City Technical College in Dartford | ||
| Team Members: Robin Williams, Tony Scofield & Chris Malyon | ||
Content[]
Video Diaries[]
Tantrum[]
- "Oh robot, I love you!"
- — Chris Weeks sings his ode to the partially-completed Tantrum
The Tantrum team work on welding their robot's chassis together
A battery test for Tantrum goes up in smoke
Tantrum's video diaries began with a brief introduction from Chris and Rupert Weeks, the former humorously performing a song in tribute to the robot's then partially-completed box-shaped chassis. A second clip of the chassis being welded was interspersed with the team admitting their lack of experience with this engineering technique; the result being that their initial attempt at completing Tantrum's frame fell apart.
The second diary followed on from an interview revealing Tantrum's proposed tracked design. This covered the completion and successful test fitting of the first front wheel assembly, as well as a car battery test literally ending up in smoke.
Tantrum is 'ridden' down a Brighton street
Tantrum's pulling power is put to the test
Next, Rupert Weeks tested Tantrum's drive system for the first time, which was followed up by a series of tests where both he and Chris members rode the machine up and down a street in Brighton. To further demonstrate its pulling power, Tantrum was used to pull an office chair plus each team member around, in a timelapsed clip filmed at an undisclosed location.
Leighviathan[]
Introduced by Leigh City Technology College principal Frank Green, this diary showed various clips of the Leighviathan team members, their classmates and teachers working on the robot's components. Tools used included hacksaws and a machining lathe. Their work resulted in the completion of a four-wheel drive chassis which underwent several driving tests, including a race against Leighviathan's predecessor Leighbot which it won convincingly.
Interviews[]
Amongst the competitor introductions was a clip of Wheelosaurus' builder Peter Gibson explaining the robot's concept and thwackbot functionality to Mat Irvine. The robot by this stage was in the earlier incarnation seen at the series auditions, minus the dustbin lid wheel covers and spikes.
As in Episode 1, the improved standard of competitors was noted by the Leighviathan team as well as Mick Cutter of Team Chaos. Other roboteers revealed the events they were most looking forward to; Shane Howard of Team Mace expressed eagerness for the Arena combat battles, while George Francis considered that both the Gauntlet and Tug of War stages would play to the strengths of Chaos' drive and flipping arm. Design revisions were also a recurring theme; Death Trak was 'chopped in half' from its initial H-shaped, four-wheel drive form to improve manoeuvrability, while the Tantrum team explained that similar steering issues forced them to abandon its originally-planned tracked system.
Gauntlet[]
- "We've been deciding... which way to go on The Gauntlet. We haven't really made a decision... probably be a last minute thing. Depends whether they bring the... heavyweight robots out or stick with the ones they've got."
- — Mick Cutter of Team Chaos, alluding to Sir Killalot as a factor in Gauntlet route choices
Mick Cutter reveals Team Chaos' uncertainty over which Gauntlet route to take
The Leigh City Technology College team encounter early technical problems
As various roboteers revealed their planned strategies - or lack of - for The Gauntlet, Leighviathan suffered multiple technical difficulties relating to its internal circuitry. The main issue highlighted was reverse polarity being experienced with its battery, which 'blew' its radio gear and necessitated the installation of a new system comprising of spare components. Even with these problems - plus a delay in member Tony Schofield obtaining a new receiver - Leighviathan was still able to start its Gauntlet run. This attempt was cut short, however, when Sir Killalot attacked and turned it over while on the centre route.
The Tantrum team carry their machine to the Gauntlet starting pen
By contrast, Chaos and Mace exhibited great power and equally strong performances on the same route, resulting in both reaching the end zone during their respective runs. This surprised the Tantrum team, of whom Chris Weeks admitted that his opponents were 'piling the pressure' on them to progress. Wheelosaurus was the next competitor to have its Gauntlet run highlighted; despite Peter Gibson's lack of driving experience, it reached a fair distance down the centre route and succeeded in damaging Sergeant Bash's flamethrower in the process.
Finally, Tantrum had its opportunity to clear The Gauntlet, becoming the third competitor to do so without much difficulty. The Death Trak team, however, suffered from radio interference issues contributing to their machine's lack of control, distance of only 4.8m, and subsequent elimination.
Trial (Tug of War)[]
Glen Collins briefs roboteers on the Tug of War
Glen Collins briefed the remaining drivers on the rules and layout for Tug of War, also outlining the similarities in set design between it and Joust.
Of the competitors, only Chaos succeeded in pulling Dead Metal into the pit, with other entertaining runs including that of Wheelosaurus. Upon knowing about their elimination, the Tantrum team were especially delighted with the prospect of a 'lay in' and a visit to a nearby pub, ultimately putting their original machine up for sale.
Arena Semi Finals[]
Leighviathan's chainsaw mechanism is lowered in The Pits
Peter Gibson revealed prior to the Semi Finals that he had to replace a burnt-out wire which caused Wheelosaurus' defeat in the Tug of War. Demonstrations of Wheelosaurus, Chaos and Leighviathan's weapons followed, leading into the latter's video diary (see above) and a recap of its predecessor’s loss against Mortis in The First Wars.
As in the previous series, the Leigh City team were soundly defeated by Mace at this stage; damage reported on Leighviathan included overheating electronics such as the batteries, control circuits and motors.
- "So their one is beautifully made... and mine is... just, err, hung together."
- — Peter Gibson, comparing the appearance of Chaos to his own Wheelosaurus
Peter Gibson and Philippa Forrester inspect the damage dealt to Wheelosaurus; note the detached spike
Against Chaos, Peter Gibson adjusted the height of Wheelosaurus' axe in an effort to better penetrate the former's polycarbonate armour. A further briefing from Glen Collins was issued concerning battle, PPZ and immobilisation rules, after which Gibson complemented Chaos' 'beautifully made' finish in contrast to his own machine. Wheelosaurus was ultimately defeated in battle by Chaos, sustaining further damage from the House Robots; while pleased with its overall condition, Gibson suspected that a dislodged cut-off switch was the cause of its immobilisation.
- Philippa Forrester: "It was horrible to watch. You crashed, and then you burned!"
- Peter Gibson: "I did, but I think it's improved it."
- — Discussing Wheelosaurus' demise
Meanwhile, Mick Cutter explained to the camera crew the lack of damage and technical issues for Chaos, while also referencing its continued 'tussle' against Dead Metal as shown in the main Heat B.
Mat Irvine Segments[]
Mat Irvine gives his lowdown on Mace
Mat Irvine again noted the wheelchair motor drive on Mace alongside its pneumatic lifting 'ram' and rear flail. He expressed particular praise for Chaos' wheels, flipping arm (powered by a cylinder made from a Phantom jet nose wheel) and internal circuitry, the latter contributing to its strong power and traction on the arena floor.
Final[]
Despite an aggressive start, Chaos was eventually pushed into Matilda by Mace and turned over by the House Robot. It was unable to self-right as a result of George Francis forgetting to place a pair of plastic extensions on the rear panel, though this went unmentioned in the actual episode. Regardless, this mistake left Chaos stranded on its back and open to damage from Mace's flail. Though disappointed, Mick Cutter remained optimistic that Team Chaos would succeed on their next attempt.
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