- "Tonight, we are opening old wounds. Settling old scores. Taking on old enemies, in our UK vs Germany special! But don't worry, its just a friendly exchange of engineering skills, technical know-how European goodwill. And then its about getting the robots in the warzone to prove the British are the best once and for all!"
- — Craig Charles' introduction for the UK version
The UK vs Germany Special was a full-length international competition and episode filmed alongside Robot Wars: The Sixth Wars and the one-off series German Robot Wars. It featured four British robots and four robots representing Germany, which fought in a tournament to determine which of the two countries had the best robots.
Two versions of the episode were produced and broadcast, each for their respective domestic series with unique commentary and presenter segments. The UK version was broadcast on BBC Choice on 10 January 2003 and repeated on BBC Two on 4 April 2003, following airings of the main Sixth Wars episodes. The German version, announced onscreen as Germany vs England, was broadcast on RTL II on 26 October 2002, following on from the Grand Final of the main German series.
The UK version of this episode was included in subsequent repeats of The Sixth Wars, being repeated on Challenge on 27 January 2016. On 25 April 2024, a remastered HD version was shared by the official UK Robot Wars Facebook page to promote the Mech+ streaming service.[1] Mech+ would also upload the latter to their own YouTube channel on 2 May the same year.[2]
Format[]
Like the Extreme Warriors Season 2 International Championship, the UK vs Germany Special was a straight knockout competition between eight robots, four representing each country, with the fights of the first two rounds being fought between robots representing the same country. Only the final offered a UK vs Germany encounter.
Differences between versions[]
The UK vs Germany Special was one of three tournaments to be contested in multiple versions of Robot Wars. In the UK version, Craig Charles and Philippa Forrester presented, with Jonathan Pearce providing the commentary. In the German version, Jürgen Törkott presented and also interviewed the German teams before and after the German battles. Forrester's interviews with the UK teams remained intact, as did Charles' announcements after the UK battles, with dubbed translations for both provided by commentator Volker Wolf.
At the end of the German version, Charles and Törkott appeared together to announce the Judges' decision for the final, interview their respective representatives and discuss the standard of German robots at the time. Charles considered the latter to be 'exceptional' for the emerging domestic championship, encouraging German teams to keep developing their machines further for future competitions.
The line-up shown below is that of the UK airing, which showed a UK battle, then a German battle, and so on. This was reversed in the German airing, so that a German battle was shown first, then a UK battle, and so on.
Robots Competing[]
UK Robots[]
Judge Shred 2½ | ||
Weight | 96kg | |
Dimensions | 0.40 x 1.26 x 0.97m | |
Power | 2 x 750W electric motors | |
Weapons | Flipper | |
Strengths | Srimech & manouverability | |
Weaknesses | Reliability | |
From: Ellistown, Leicester | ||
Team Members: Alan Blakeman, Paul Blakeman & Dave Cluely |
259 | ||
Weight | 100kg | |
Dimensions | 0.77 x 1.10 x 0.80m | |
Power | 600W motor | |
Weapons | Vertical spinner | |
Strengths | Potentially lethal weapon | |
Weaknesses | Low strike rate | |
From: Chadwell Heath, Essex | ||
Team Members: Adam Clark |
Corkscrew | ||
Weight | 99kg | |
Dimensions | 0.65 x 0.88 x 0.88m | |
Power | 3 x 750W electric motors | |
Weapons | 6 Blades | |
Strengths | 360 Degree killing zone | |
Weaknesses | Difficult to control | |
From: The Borders of Scotland | ||
Team Members: John Heatlie, Lewis Heatlie & Laurence Heatlie |
Fluffy | ||
Weight | 100kg | |
Dimensions | 1.30 x 0.20 x 0.70m | |
Power | 750W motors | |
Weapons | 20kg spinner | |
Strengths | Powerful weapon & fast | |
Weaknesses | Unreliable response | |
From: Enfield, Middlesex | ||
Team Members: Peter Holroyd, Peter Johnson & Richard Johnson |
German Robots[]
Delldog | ||
Weight | 98kg | |
Dimensions | 0.26 x 0.83 x 0.83m | |
Power | 2 x 750W motors | |
Weapons | Spinning ring with spikes | |
Strengths | Runs both ways up | |
Weaknesses | Vulnerable when static | |
From: Homburg, Saarland | ||
Team Members: Stephan Duhl, Thomas Dietz & Susanne Kribelbauer |
Dynamite | ||
Weight | 98kg | |
Dimensions | 0.60 x 1.10 x 0.75m | |
Power | 2 x 750W motors | |
Weapons | Lifter | |
Strengths | Powerful weapon | |
Weaknesses | Thin armour | |
From: Ursensollen, Bavaria | ||
Team Members: Jürgen Geissler, Christian Reindl & Anna Scharl |
Ansgar's Revenge | ||
Weight | 200kg | |
Dimensions | 0.17 x 0.84 x 0.92m | |
Power | 4 x 750W motors | |
Weapons | Lifting spears | |
Strengths | Heavy and fast | |
Weaknesses | Untested | |
From: Ahrenviöl | ||
Team Members: Joachim Thomsen, Sunje Thomsen & Sascha Thomsen |
Das Gepäck | ||
Weight | 95kg | |
Dimensions | 0.26 x 1.18 x 0.80m | |
Power | 4 x 750W motors | |
Weapons | Ramming spikes | |
Strengths | Invertible | |
Weaknesses | Lack of weaponry | |
From: Heemskerk, The Netherlands (mentioned in German version only) | ||
Team Members: Peter Koene & Kees Sicking |
Round 1[]
Judge Shred 2½ (UK) vs 259 (UK)[]
- Philippa Forrester: "You're up against 259. He's horrible. Are you horrible enough to cope?"
- Alan Blakeman: "No, I don't think so, we're too weak and feeble."
- — Self-deprecating from Judge Shred
The two robots met, and immediately, a sliver of Judge Shred 2½ was torn free and hurled away by the huge spinning disc of 259. Judge Shred 2½ briefly got beneath the front of the disc and flipped 259 up into the air, only for 259 to smash through and buckle its flipper as it landed, rendering the flipper useless. 259 followed this up quickly by ramming into Judge Shred 2½ three more times, tossing it ahead of it and buckling its side armour. One of the right-hand armour plates was torn off, exposing the wheel, which 259 promptly destroyed, leaving Judge Shred 2½ only able to go around in circles. Sergeant Bash crossed the arena and joined Growler in menacing Judge Shred 2½, with Growler clamping down on Judge Shred 2½.
- "I'm afraid, the scales of justice are tipping against you!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
However, they backed off and allowed 259 to continue attacking, which resulted in Judge Shred 2½ flying into the air and balancing against 259's flywheel. Wary of his robot, Adam Clark stopped his machine and waited until Refbot knocked Judge Shred 2½ free. However, 259 had stopped moving by now, and Growler pushed 259 into the Pit release. Growler switched back to Judge Shred 2½ and pulled it out from the arena wall, holding it in front of Refbot, who counted it out.
- "Judge Shred, not fit to fly the flag."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Growler seized Judge Shred 2½ by its mangled flipper and pushed it onto the Floor Flipper, where it was thrown through the air and onto its back. Growler then grabbed Judge Shred 2½ and held it over the Flame Pit, before finally pitting it.
In the German version, 259 was shown to be counted out and pitted as well, but still qualified as Judge Shred 2½ had been immobilised first.
Winner: 259
Delldog (Germany) vs Dynamite (Germany)[]
Delldog entered the arena with a severe disadvantage. Its main weapon had broken down and the team were unable to get it working again, meaning it had to compete completely weaponless.
- "Ah right. That's handy. Uh, no spinning ring with teeth...vulnerable when static...the robot absolutely defenseless now. Hmm."
- — Jonathan Pearce, reading Delldog's (broken) weapon and weaknesses
Despite its lack of any weaponry, Delldog was quick off the mark and slammed into Dynamite's side, managing to dodge the powerful flipper. A second ram from Delldog alone managed to dent the wheelguard of Dynamite. Delldog then pushed Dynamite across the arena and into Dead Metal, who pushed Dynamite into the middle of the arena, slicing into its side.
- "And out comes Dead Metal with a slice, and already you can see the scar!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Delldog got itself briefly caught by Sir Killalot, but managed to slip past the House Robot and nudge Dynamite, who was immobile after the attack by Dead Metal. Refbot counted Dynamite out and Sir Killalot pushed it onto the Floor Flipper.
- "Dynamite? How can you call a machine like that Dynamite? Think of another name - Powderpuff! Weakling! Smashed and Bashed! Dynamite, flies, yeah, but it doesn't come down with an explosive, percussive, rap!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Dynamite was hurled through the air and landed heavily, shattering parts of the thin armour. It was caught by Dead Metal and Sir Killalot, the former of whom sliced into the flipping mechanism. Sir Killalot then plucked Dynamite up and dropped it on its back, causing the armour shell to break off.
- "What have they made the armour out of? Baked bean tins? No! A baked bean is more mean! Dynamite? Well, that's what they came into the arena with, to protect the mechanics."
- — Jonathan Pearce
It then picked it up and swung it around, bathing it in flames and shaking the armour completely off. Sir Killalot then dropped Dynamite over the arena wall.
- "Delldog survives somehow, I dunno."
- — Jonathan Pearce, having backed Dynamite to win
Winner: Delldog
Corkscrew (UK) vs Fluffy (UK)[]
The battle started slowly as both machines spun their weapons up on the spot. Fluffy struck the spinning Corkscrew, losing most of its weapons momentum, but knocking Corkscrew aside. Fluffy quickly recovered its weapon speed and struck Corkscrew's body, but accidently spun on its axis and slammed its side into Corkscrew's weapon. Recovering quickly, it slammed its spinning weapon into Corkscrew and knocked it decisively across the arena. Corkscrew's weapon had stopped spinning and this left it vulnerable to a follow up attack from Fluffy.
- "What you will see is, with the Fluffy blade once it has struck its opponent, the blade will stop. Mind you, Corkscrew, has stopped dead!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Corkscrew spun around in circles, but could not get its own weapon's speed up. Growler then rammed into Corkscrew, causing it to bounce out of the CPZ and skid to a halt near the Pit release. Fluffy slammed into Corkscrew, activating the pit in the process. Bash closed in, blasting its flamethrower, and it became apparent that Corkscrew had been immobilised.
- "Corkscrew's done for, here, I think"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Refbot moved in and counted Corkscrew out, before Sergeant Bash and Growler pulled it away and the latter carried it across the arena. Corkscrew was placed on the Floor Flipper and hurled away, revealing a "no pants" slogan painted underneath.
- "So that's what's under the kilt! Don't worry, you won't be seeing close-ups, only close-ups of the right sort here, the tasteful close-ups, of a machine about to be mercilessly pounded into the Pit."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Growler seized it and dumped it into the Pit, eliminating it from the competition.
- "Corkscrew! No pants? It was pants! It goes spinning out of the competition, wheras Fluffy, they display the spirit of 66! Nice one!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Fluffy
Ansgar's Revenge (Germany) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]
Das Gepäck started quickly, slamming into Ansgar's Revenge twice and pushing the shufflebot into Dead Metal. Ansgar's Revenge shifted its weapon, trying to keep Dead Metal from slicing into its body, but it was unable to escape with Das Gepäck continually slamming it into Dead Metal's CPZ.
- "Dead Metal, therefore, is caught on Ansgar's Revenge, which won't bother Dead Metal at all, but it will do, the German robot!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Sir Killalot closed in, grabbing Ansgar's Revenge's weapon and pulling it free of Dead Metal's grasp, before carrying it across the arena. Das Gepäck swiftly activated the Pit, and Sir Killalot released Ansgar's Revenge in the centre of the arena. Ansgar's Revenge slowly moved backwards and forwards, but was unable to prevent Das Gepäck from pushing it into an angle grinder and ramming it there several times. Ansgar's Revenge shuffled away from the wall, while Das Gepäck slammed into the wall and bounced free. Still not showing signs of fluent movement, Ansgar's Revenge was pushed into Sir Killalot again, who attempted to cut and lift it before pushing it towards the Pit.
- "They look worried, Ansgar's Revenge, and so they should be. But for me, Das Gepäck, is the best machine we've seen so far in this UK vs Germany special."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Das Gepäck attempted several times to pit Ansgar's Revenge as the battle drew to a close, but 'cease' was called, and the Judges were called to make a decision. The decision unanimously went in favour of Das Gepäck.
- "Well I've just heard from the Judges - it didn't take long - its obvious who won. Ansgar Revenge completely battered, Das Gepäck go marching on!"
- — Craig Charles
Winner: Das Gepäck
Semi-Finals[]
259 (UK) vs Fluffy (UK)[]
- Adam Clark: "I believe that vertical has sway over the horizontal, so I think that the vertical disc will win out in this one."
- Jonathan Pearce: "Adam I don't know, I like the look of Fluffy's weaponry."
- — Pre-battle opinions
The opening stages of the battle were very tense, with both robots spinning their weapons up to speed and avoided premature contact. Finally, the two made light contact, with a piece of 259's front wheel guard shorn off. Fluffy spun around and attacked again, bouncing 259 and buckling its side skirt. This contact significantly hampered 259's mobility as it had caused a drive belt to slip straight off.
- "Is that a drive belt, coming loose there for 259? It certainly seems to be!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Fluffy slammed into 259 again, before 259 limped away quickly, leaving its drive chain behind. Fluffy slammed into 259 again, knocking the other drive belt loose. 259 limped on, trying to land an attack on the side of Fluffy, but Fluffy's heavy weapon struck 259's and knocked it onto its side, immobilising it.
- "And another, massive attack! Sends 259 toppling! What ease! They simply tossed 259 aside!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Refbot moved in and counted 259 out, before Mr. Psycho closed in and slammed his hammer down twice, bending its chassis out of shape. Dead Metal then seized 259 and sliced into it, before pushing it into the Pit release and into the Pit.
- "Fluffy, worthy winners. A real match for anything Germany can put up."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Winner : Fluffy
Delldog (Germany) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]
The two robots battered against each other, but with Delldog's weapon still not working, it became a battle of pushing. Despite an early push from Delldog, Das Gepäck easily won the pushing match and shunted Delldog into Mr. Psycho's CPZ. Delldog spun in circles, trying to use its weapon to ward off Mr. Psycho, and managed to slip through an opening before he could attack.
- "Into the clutches of Mr. Psycho - they've got to get out of there very very quickly. It can get up to top speeds of 11 miles per hour, nothing like that at this moment in time."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Das Gepäck rammed into Delldog again, pushing it into Sgt. Bash, who shot flames at Delldog. Sgt. Bash then seized Delldog in his pincers, crushing through its armour and lifting it with his top pincer. Das Gepäck activated the Pit, as Sgt. Bash carried Delldog out to Mr. Psycho, who slammed it with his hammer in an attempt to separate the two robots.
- "Teamwork from the House Robots! Now, you understand that they're totally neutral in all this. They don't mind if UK or Germany wins this."
- — Jonathan Pearce
After three attempts, Delldog was knocked free from Sgt. Bash, but sat immobile as the latter retreated into his CPZ. Das Gepäck slammed Delldog into the wall again before the latter was counted out, after which it pushed Delldog into the Pit with ease.
Winner: Das Gepäck
Final[]
Fluffy (UK) vs Das Gepäck (Germany)[]
The fight[]
- "Fluffy will fight them in the arena, he'll fight them on the angle grinder, he'll fight them in the pit, and Fluffy will never, never, never, surrender!"
- — Jonathan Pearce paraphrases Winston Churchill to support the British Fluffy
Fluffy powered its weapon up, but neither robot attacked the other for a considerable amount of time, swerving around the arena in an attempt to get the right position. Fluffy's first contact smashed one of Das Gepäck's ramming spikes, severing its connection and letting it hang loose. Fluffy clipped Das Gepäck's sides a few more times, but no damage was done. Fluffy and Das Gepäck collided twice, the first collision knocking Fluffy askew, whilst the second tore a fragment of Das Gepäck's armour free.
- "Well set up, this final. By far and away the best two machines we've seen!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Das Gepäck then pushed into Fluffy's side, but abandoned this attack. Das Gepäck resumed its attack on Fluffy, whose weapon had stopped working. However, Das Gepäck's buckled spike slipped, causing it to lose purchase as it tried to push Fluffy. Das Gepäck pressed the Pit release button instead, and the two robots entered a pushing match close to the descending pit. Fluffy resisted, getting its axe beneath Das Gepäck and allowing it to push back. Das Gepäck drove around the pit and tried to push Fluffy into Sgt. Bash but got caught itself. Das Gepäck swiftly reversed out of Sgt. Bash's grasp and pushed back into Fluffy.
- "Has the Fluffy weaponry stopped? That could be decisive, if it does go to the Judges, mind you the Das Gepäck weapon has hardly been effective throughout."
- — Jonathan Pearce analysing in the last twenty seconds
Das Gepäck seemed to dominate the pushing match, with Fluffy ending the match on the Flame Pit.
The decision[]
- "An unstoppable force meets an immovable object!"
- — Craig Charles
Noel Sharkey, Mat Irvine and Martin Smith were called upon to decide the UK vs Germany champion. Based on the usual criteria of style, control, damage and aggression, they were unable to separate the robots on points, and thus declared the battle a draw.
- "They've called it a draw!"
- — Craig Charles
The decision was met with emphatic booing from the audience, while the trophy was handed to the Das Gepäck team, with promises of another being made for the Fluffy team.
UK vs Germany Champion: Draw declared
- "Well for international relations, that fight ensured, that all is fair in love, and Robot Wars!"
- — The UK episode's sign-off
Trivia[]
- Due to a lack of available entrants, only two of the German representatives were actually from Germany, with Dutch robot Das Gepäck and Loanerbot Dynamite being drafted in.
- Similarly, while the German version was announced onscreen as "Germany vs England", Corkscrew actually originated from Scotland.
- This is the only episode of the UK Robot Wars to have ended in a draw.
- The German version of the episode misspells Philippa Forrester and Adam Clark as Phillipa Forester and Adam Clarke, respectively.
- During the battle between 259 and Judge Shred 2½, Refbot's head was completely misshapen.
- Excluding Robot Wars: The Kick-Off, the German version of this episode marked the only time presenters from UK and international Robot Wars series appeared in the same episode together.
References[]
External Links[]
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