Thor (1995)

For other uses of the name Thor, see Thor (disambiguation).

Thor
Thor in 1995
Participation Information
UK Series	1995 UK Open Competition
Robot Statistics
Weapons	Spiked axe/lifter
Statistics correct as of its most recent show/competition appearance, or if not applicable, qualification attempt.

Thor was a Californian robot, and the runner-up of the 1995 Robot Wars UK Open Competition, held in London. There, it got to the final where it faced eventual champion The Master in a battle which was broadcast as part of the British Robot Wars, included in Heat D of Series 1, and the VHS release of Robot Wars: The First Great War.

Design

Thor before its battle with The Master

Thor featured a swinging arm with several spikes and teeth in the style of a hammer as its weapon, a cow-catcher like grille at the front protecting the front wheels that could steer the robot like a car and two wheels at the rear. The arm could also be fitted with a small wedge-shaped plate so that it could function as a flipper as well. Otherwise, Thor was a large four-wheel driven machine protected by structural steel. Its wheels were exposed at the sides, but were protected at the front because of Thor's broad flat surface.

Robot History

Series 1

"And now it's time to strap yourselves in and cry mercy, as we leave you with the ultimate robotic confrontation!"

— Craig Charles in Robot Wars: The First Great War

Thor was one of three US Robot Wars competitors, along with The Master and La Machine, to be invited to compete in the 1995 UK Open Competition. It fought in numerous battles alongside its fellow American compatriots, as well as future Stock Robots Grunt and Eubank the Mouse, with considerable success. Various clips of these battles were shown in the First Great War video release, while Thor's battle with The Master was also televised as part of the first British series of Robot Wars.

"We'll revisit the 1995 Robot Wars UK Championships in London, featuring two of the most powerful robots in the world today! The Master, built by Mark Setrakian, and Thor, designed by Shilling Robotics, both from America, and what a night it was!"

— Jonathan Pearce in Series 1, Heat D

Thor's armour is sliced by The Master

Thor's armour causes The Master to shed its disc

Thor initially made no aggressive movements, allowing The Master to turn and face Thor using its lifting panel, and bump into it, before continuing to circle around Thor. After a sustained period of hostility, The Master made the first move and drove up the surface of Thor, burying its circular saw through the armour of Thor, which could only flail its weapon at no target in defence. Thor started to start leak fluids following on from The Master's attack. After the Master withdrew its saw, it bumped into Thor using its left wheel. Thor retreated, and The Master held off until it found the right moment to charge in with its saw, shearing a loose piece of armour from the top of Thor.

"And there, surely a killing blow! Smashing right to the heart of the hydraulic cabling!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Thor's exposed wheel is targeted by The Master

While Thor pushed back, The Master brought its saw onto the top of it, causing damage while shearing the circular saw in the process, creating a shower of dust. The Master continued to grind away in spite of the damage, cutting into the top of Thor's weapon, and briefly throwing sparks. The Master almost managed to drive up the side of the retreating Thor, but The Master brought what remained of its saw onto the front of Thor, creating a gash, before finally sacrificing the remainder of its saw to cut into a front wheel of Thor. These last attacks had immobilised Thor, and The Master won the battle, resigning Thor to second place in the competition.

Outside Robot Wars

Thor competed in the 1995 US Robot Wars heavyweight championship where Thor defeated Merrimac and Cyberknight to reach the Heavyweight Final. Thor was intended to battle The Master and Blendo here, although Blendo withdrew before the match, leading to the match seen in Heat D of Series 1. Thor also collected the Best Engineered Award at the event, which it shared with Blendo.

External Links

• Thor on the Ultimate Robot Archive Wikia