- "Was a reserve for a previous series. Now steps into the spotlight, the floodlight, ooh, err, the moonlight, for Wolverine."
- — Jonathan Pearce
Wolverine was a robot that competed in Series 5 of Robot Wars. Despite starting strongly in its first round battle, it was flipped out of the arena by Wheely Big Cheese, and did not return for another series.
Jon and Simon Reason were also part of the Toe Cutter team in Series 3, and joined the Lancaster Bombers for the filming of the Fifth Wars after Toe Cutter 2 failed to qualify at the concordant time.
Design
Wolverine's official photo
Wolverine was a small wedged box-shaped robot painted red, blue and black, and armed with a silver lifting plough as well as a blue self-righting arm on the back. The plough was capable of lifting railway sleepers, and combined with its speed, agility and strong pushing power, was effective in the early stages of its battle against Wheely Big Cheese. The robot also boasted durable armour, and had upgraded motors and drive-trains for Series 5 to enable it to push opponents around more easily. However, it had a high ground clearance which proved to be its downfall later on in that battle.
Qualification
The version of Wolverine that was a reserve in Series 3
The proposed Series 4 entry that was forced to withdraw
Wolverine was first built in time for Series 3, and was chosen as a reserve robot, but ultimately it would go unused. Wolverine underwent upgrades before Series 4, and would have attempted to qualify, but an interface card inside the robot blew the night before the qualifiers, and ultimately Wolverine was unable to attempt to qualify. In time for Series 5, Wolverine was finally successful in earning a televised place.
Robot History
Series 5
In its first round battle of the Fifth Wars, Wolverine was placed up against the number 10 seeds Wheely Big Cheese.
Wolverine flips Wheely Big Cheese up
Wolverine is tossed out of the arena
Wolverine immediately attempted to arc around to Wheely Big Cheese's wheels, but missed with an attempted flip on the right-hand one. Wolverine then spun around and darted towards Wheely Big Cheese, but was only able to prop Wheely Big Cheese's front on top of it instead of getting a clean connection with its weapon. Wolverine continued to probe away at its opponent though, and sent Wheely Big Cheese's front up twice in a matter of moments with its front plough. After the second of the two lifts, Wolverine drove off towards the arena side wall, where it was soon met by Wheely Big Cheese. As the two machines jostled, Wolverine flicked Wheely Big Cheese again, before beginning to reverse it into an angle grinder. However, during this drive, Wheely Big Cheese swerved away, while Wolverine bumped into the arena wall. This gave Wheely Big Cheese the chance to drive straight at Wolverine, and with it right next to the arena wall, Wheely Big Cheese was able to cartwheel Wolverine over the arena wall with its subsequent flip. With Wolverine out of the arena, it was left eliminated from the competition at the first hurdle.
- "Oh dear, Gareth Dean and Jon Reason - there's no reasoning with an attack like that by Wheely Big Cheese!"
- — Jonathan Pearce
Results
| WOLVERINE - RESULTS | ||
| Series 5 | ||
| The Fifth Wars - UK Championship Heat, Round 1 | ||
| Heat H, Round 1 | vs. Wheely Big Cheese (10) | Lost |
Wins/Losses
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 1
Series Record
| Series | Wolverine Series Record |
|---|---|
| The First Wars | Did not enter |
| The Second Wars | Did not enter |
| The Third Wars | Unused reserve |
| The Fourth Wars | Withdrew from qualifiers |
| The Fifth Wars | Heat, Round 1 |
| The Sixth Wars | Did not enter |
| The Seventh Wars | Did not enter |
| Series 8 | Did not enter |
| Series 9 | Did not enter |
| Series 10 | Did not enter |
Outside Robot Wars
Wolverine as Wolf at Techno Games
Despite not enjoying great success in Robot Wars, Wolverine fought numerous battles in live competitions, even managing to defeat Tornado several times.
The Lancaster Bombers and Team Dantomkia worked together to create Spitfire, which competed in Season 5.0 of BattleBots. Whilst very similar in overall appearance and weaponry to Dantomkia, Spitfire was built differently in order to better withstand impacts from spinners.
Wolverine also competed in Robot Wars' sister show Techno Games in 2002, under the name Wolf and finished as runner-up in the Assault Course to Bugs Buggy after beating AAT in round 1. It also competed in the Football.