Robot Wars: The Second Wars/Heat A

Heat A
The Robot Wars Logo from the introduction titles
Series	The Second Wars
Winner(s)	Napalm
Trial	Skittles
First Broadcast	6 November 1998
Original channel	BBC Two
TV Ratings	5 million
Preceded by	Grand Final of The First Wars
Succeeded by	Heat B

"The peace has been shattered, diplomacy failed. The robots are back - it's all out war and the battle lines have been drawn. So prime your weapons and evict the faint-hearted, as we put the scrap back into metal!"

— Jonathan Pearce's introduction

"If you've ever wondered whether machines are taking over the world, then wonder no more, 'cause Robot Wars is back. It's bigger, it's more destructive and offers more metal carnage than when Metal Mickey tries to juggle with Semtex. Robot Wars is a survival of the fittest. But as contenders aren't body beautifuls in figure-hugging lycra, they're ugly lumps of metal made out of nuts and bolts and household appliances, and whatever was left lying around the garage at the time. Oh and yeah, they wanna kill each other."

— Craig Charles's introduction

Heat A of Robot Wars: The Second Wars was the first of twelve heats which determined the Semi-Finalists of Robot Wars: The Second Wars. The episode featuring Heat A was originally broadcast on 6 November 1998 on BBC Two. The broadcast managed to attract five million viewers, which according to BARB meant it ranked third in the top thirty highest rated BBC 2 broadcasts during 2-8 November, behind only Have I Got News For You and The Simpsons.

On 8 February 2024, the remastered Heat A was uploaded in its entirety by the official Robot Wars Facebook page, as a promotion for the Mech+ streaming service. Two weeks later, on 22 February, the episode was also shared by the official Mech+ YouTube channel, following on from their similar stream of Series 1, Heat A.

Competing Robots

Newcomers

	Caliban
	Weight	54.4kg
	Dimensions	0.70 x 0.70 x 0.40m
	Speed	12mph
	Turning Circle	0m
	Ground Clearance	20mm
	Power	2 x 12V Batteries
	Weapons	Multiple Spinning Weapons
	Notes	Bolted Dexion frame Chassis with Aluminium Shell
From: Sutton in Surrey
Team Members: Eric Hodgins, Daniel Bushnell, Martin Beckett

	Demolition Demon
	Weight	67.9kg
	Dimensions	1.50 x 0.88 x 0.35m
	Speed	8mph
	Turning Circle	0m
	Ground Clearance	5mm
	Power	3 x 12V Batteries
	Weapons	Circular Saw & Spike
	Notes	Wheelchair Motors Donated by Dorset County Council
From: The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester
Team Members: Peter Harrison, Theo Mauger, Adrian South

	Panda Monium
	Weight	84.1kg
	Dimensions	1.55 x 0.70 x 0.40cm
	Speed	8mph
	Turning Circle	0m
	Ground Clearance	40mm
	Power	2 x Sinclair C5 Motors
	Weapons	Lifting Spike & Fixed Spikes
	Notes	Imported Wheels from French Hypermarket
From: Burgess Hill in West Sussex
Team Members: Pete Collier, Chris Loader

	Piece de Resistance
	Weight	57.0kg
	Dimensions	1.25 x 0.75 x 0.65m
	Speed	5mph
	Turning Circle	1.2m
	Ground Clearance	12mm
	Power	2 x 12V Batteries
	Weapons	Front Lifting Shovel/Spikes
	Notes	Chassis Formerly a Microwave Oven & Uses 5 x 12V Mini Motors
From: Ossett in Yorkshire
Team Members: Colin Scott, Bryan Newcombe, Julie Scott

	Victor
	Weight	85.1kg
	Dimensions	1.50 x 0.55 x 0.50m
	Speed	5mph
	Turning Circle	0m
	Ground Clearance	5mm
	Power	2 x 12V Batteries
	Weapons	21" Lawnmower Blade & Interchangeable Flail
	Notes	Interchangeable Weapons Powered by Motorbike Starter Motor
From: East Molesey in Surrey
Team Members: Gareth Goddard, Ken Goddard, Guy Pickett

Veterans

	Napalm
	Weight	84.1kg
	Dimensions	2.00 x 1.00 x 1.25m
	Speed	15mph
	Turning Circle	0m
	Ground Clearance	5mm
	Power	2 x 12V Batteries
	Weapons	Stainless Steel Rear Mandibles & 16" Chainsaw
	Notes	Previously Entered Robot Wars with Detonator
From: Dartford Girls Grammar School
Team Members: David Crosby, Claire Greenaway, Rebecca Glenn

Gauntlet

Left Route	Centre Route	Right Route
Sir Killalot and two pits.	Brick wall, ramp and Sergeant Bash	Ramrig, flame pit and Matilda

Napalm

Sir Killalot pushes and removes Napalm's chainsaw

Napalm was quick out of the start area, smashing into the brick wall in the middle route. However, the lowest level of bricks didn't move and Napalm was unable to push through. Napalm reversed to try and wiggle past the bricks, but got stuck at the base of the ramp. Sir Killalot moved in behind and lifted the rear of Napalm with his lance. Sir Killalot pushed Napalm, turning it and hitting the Chainsaw into the wall, ripping it off. Sir Killalot kept pushing Napalm further forwards past the ramp as time finished.

"He's dead as well, he's stuck!"

— David Crosby finds solace in Sir Killalot also managing to get beached on the ramp after the run.

Panda Monium

Panda Modium becomes the first robot to complete the Gauntlet in The Second Wars.

Panda Monium inched out of the start area, stopping to turn. Panda Monium moved into the right route, wobbling down the ramrig. Panda Monium got caught on the saws and lifted the spike up in response. Escaping the first half of the ramrig, the second half caught Panda Monium, beaching it on the raised moving floor. Panda Monium eventually escaped, whizzing around a stationary Matilda and into the end zone.

"I thought it had all gone horribly wrong when they steered into the saws."

— Jonathan Pearce raises his concerns about Panda Monium's run

Piece de Resistance

Sir Killalot lifts Piece de Resistance over the wall

Philippa Forrester: "You've got toy tricycle wheels. Will you be able to get over the bricks on your toy tricycle wheels?"

Colin Scott: "Yes, because I've got the shovel to lift the bricks out of the way."

— Wishful thinking

After lowering the scoop, Piece de Resistance drove into the brick wall, which hardly moved after impact. Piece de Resistance backed up and took two more slams, moving the bricks, but still not toppling the wall. Piece de Resistance backed up to get a good run, but was pincered simultaneously by Sir Killalot and Matilda, bending the scoop. Matilda lifted the helpless robot with her tusks, before leaving Sir Killalot to lift Piece de Resistance into the air with both arms, eventually dumping it over the wall it never broke through.

Caliban

Caliban is upturned

Caliban, equipped with only its flail, moved forwards and headed down the left route. It turned into a block and took a few attempts to round the corner, allowing Sir Killalot to close the gap. Stuck next to Killalot, Caliban started up the flail, which send a distance marker flying, but kept it trapped in the corner. Sir Killalot stuck his lance into the inner workings, stopping Caliban's spinner and lifted it up and over. Killalot pushed Caliban back into the wall, where it was only credited with 0.2m covered.

"Wham, bam, thank-you Caliban."

— Jonathan Pearce

Victor

Victor beaches itself on the bricks

Victor drove straight into the brick wall, its sharp shape and high wheels allowing it to move through the bricks initially, until one brick got caught under the long body, turning Victor around. Stuck on the bricks, Victor was helpless as Sir Killalot moved in, but contact dislodged Victor, allowing it to continue up the ramp. With no house robots in the way, Victor continued over and completed the Gauntlet.

Demolition Demon

Demolition Demon passes Matilda

Looking like it was heading for the bricks, Demolition Demon changed direction and headed down the left route. Finding Sir Killalot blocking the route, Demolition Demon slammed the front of the house robot, before managing to squeeze through the gap between it and the pit. Matilda had moved over and sat beside the second pit. Demolition Demon started pushing Matilda at the back, trying to pit the House Robot, but eventually found a gap and went through. Sergeant Bash threw a volley of flames towards Demolition Demon as it crossed the line into the end zone.

"What a brave run! Terrific stuff from Demolition Demon."

— Jonathan Pearce praises Demolition Demon for taking on all three House Robots.

Results

Rank	Robot	Distance
1	Demolition Demon	Completed
2	Victor	Completed
3	Panda Monium	Completed
4	Napalm	7.5m
5	Piece de Resistance	3.8m
6	Caliban	0.2m

Trial (Skittles)

Napalm

Napalm stops by the edge of the barrels

Napalm flew into the skittles, deflecting off the first triangle and scraping down one side. Turning around, Napalm drove into the middle of the barrels, hiding within the marked triangle.

"We're going to attack the triangle, get into it and knock as many barrels over as possible. Whilst we're inside the triangle, the House Robots cannot touch us."

— David Crosby

Once inside the triangle, Napalm got stuck on a barrel, flailing the mandibles uselessly as Matilda waited. Unable to knock any more over, Napalm stayed still until Cease.

Panda Monium

Matilda cuts into Panda Monium

Panda Monium's flat front allowed it to slam into the first set of barrels and push them out of the way. Panda Monium disappeared into the barrels, before moving out and reversing into a second stack of barrels. Panda Monium drove out and spun into another stack, but only dented the side of a barrel, failing to tip it over with the moving spike. Reversing out, Panda Monium was trapped by Matilda, which sliced into the top of Panda Monium with her chainsaw. Matilda held Panda Monium in place as time ran out.

Victor

Victor's flail destroys a barrel.

Victor moved forwards, opting to enter the triangle through the side. However, it pinned itself in place, having to rely on the rear flail to knock barrels down. It succeeded in toppling one more, while chopping a large gash in the side of a closer barrel.

Demolition Demon

Demolition Demon is lifted over

Equipping a big metal spike rather than the rear saw, Demolition Demon headed into the barrels slowly, before spinning around and using the extended reach to knock more barrels over. Demolition Demon moved out of the triangle, passing the House Robots to attack more stacks of barrels, knocking them over. After Cease was called, Matilda lifted Demolition Demon up, Sir Killalot turned it over and Matilda gave the base plate some damage with the chainsaw.

Piece de Resistance

Sir Killalot grills Piece de Resistance

Colin Scott: "It's turbocharged now!"

Philippa Forrester: "How have you achieved that in the couple of hours you've had?"

Colin Scott: "Bigger batteries!"

— The Piece de Resistance team explain their modifications

Piece de Resistance slowly moved forwards with the blade raised. It drove into the first stack of barrels, but just moved them back as none fell over. Piece de Resistance tried again, but to no avail. The House Robots started blocking Piece de Resistance until Matilda flipped it over. After the battle, Sir Killalot picked up the defeated robot and held it over the flame pit.

Results

Rank	Robot	Barrels
1	Demolition Demon	20
2	Napalm	9
3	Panda Monium	9
4	Victor	4
5	Piece de Resistance	0

Arena

Semi-Finals

Napalm vs. Panda Monium

Matilda flicks Panda Monium over

Both robots charged at each other, but both missed. Panda Monium turned too far trying to attack Napalm's side, and had to back away from their opponent. Panda Monium spun on the spot as Napalm slowly turned around. Panda Monium oriented itself correctly and drove at Napalm, hitting the side with its spike. But during a second charge Panda Monoium got unhooked from Napalm and overdrove into the PPZ.

"Thats dangerous driving, because Matilda's tusks are in the PPZ! And its all over! That was Panda Monium!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Panda Monium tried to back out of the PPZ, but Matilda was right there, and flipped Panda Monium over with no hesitation. Unable to right itself, Panda Monium was eliminated.

Winner: Napalm

Victor vs. Demolition Demon

Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot close in on both robots

When they first met, Demolition Demon slid under Victor's giant wheels and started pushing it backwards. Demolition Demon pushed Victor back into the PPZ, where Matilda gave Victor a big shove. Victor turned the flail on, nipping at the front wedge of Demolition Demon as Matilda drove up the same wedge. Both reversed out of danger and into the centre of the arena, where Demolition Demon turned to attack Victor with its disc.

"Look at the grinding disc of Demolition Demon - shattered, just like some old sad LP no longer in the charts!"

— Jonathan Pearce

However, the disc broke on first contact with Victor, which had stopped moving. Demolition Demon moved back to shove Victor into the PPZ next to Matilda. Demolition Demon positioned their opponent for Matilda's chainsaw to cause damage, as Sir Killalot picked Victor up and dragged it across the arena.

Demolition Demon tried attacking Sir Killalot, but Shunt attacked back with the axe, before flipping it over. Because of this, Victor was initially awarded the victory, but after Victor's immobility was noted, the decision was reversed and Demolition Demon advanced.

Winner: Demolition Demon

Final

Napalm vs. Demolition Demon

Napalm's mandibles strike

Napalm skirted around Demolition Demon at the start, managing to get their spiked front under Demolition Demon's wedge. Napalm pushed Demolition Demon across the arena and onto the flame pit, where the two finally separated. When they next met, Napalm reared up as it drove forward, rising onto the wedge of their opponent, but drove off into the PPZ, where it was grabbed by Dead Metal. Pushing its way out past Matilda, Napalm re-entered the fray.

Napalm on Demolition Demon's wedge

Both robots attacked each others front over the spikes, swapping which was under the other multiple times, before Napalm drove off and managed to get its back pointing towards Demolition Demon. Napalm hit their opponent twice with the mandibles as Demolition Demon moved off. Back in the centre of the arena, Demolition Demon got around the side of Napalm and tried to push. They separated, but Demolition Demon got the same grip and pushed Napalm into the PPZ, where Dead Metal bounced off the side.

"And the girls have lost their petticoat!"

— Jonathan Pearce

Another slam by Demolition Demon caused a plate of mesh to fall off the back of Napalm. Napalm drove into Demolition Demon, and they spun around, trying to get the weapons in play. Napalm was lifted by the wedge again, but drove off and turned back. Demolition Demon managed to manoeuver Napalm into Shunt, which hit Napalm with the axe.

Napalm backed off, and Demolition Demon drove under the front of Napalm, lifting it up on top of the wedge. Napalm fell off and drove away. Demolition Demon drove into the side of Napalm as Cease was called.

"It goes to the judges, and there's hardly a lick of paint - a smear of oil between the two teams."

— Jonathan Pearce

Napalm was announced as the winner.

Jonathan Pearce: "The girls delighted, the boys despondent, and the crowd don't like it."

Craig Charles: "Well the judges say, although you sustained a lot of damage, it was given to you by the House Robots and that you were far more aggressive than Demolition Demon!"

— The announcement

Heat Winner: Napalm

"From the show that's bigger than Roseanne's drawers, goodnight, God bless, from Robot Wars!"

— Craig Charles' sign-off

Trivia

Craig Charles showcases the powerful weaponry of Sir Killalot

• This episode marked a number of Robot Wars firsts:
  • The debut appearance of Craig Charles as presenter.
  • The debut appearance of Sir Killalot, which would become one of the show's most famous House Robots.
  • The first appearances of the Pit and Flame Pit arena hazards.
• Heat A contained only one veteran robot - Napalm - which went on to win the episode outright.
• The Arena Semi-Final between Napalm and Panda Monium is ranked equal 23rd in the Shortest Battles in UK Robot Wars.
• Demolition Demon's score of 20 in the Skittles Trial would have put it in last in Heat G.
• The Heat Final between Napalm and Demolition Demon was the first judges' decision to be met with a general disagreement from the spectating audience.
• With the exception of Sir Killalot, stock footage of the other four House Robots' introductions from Heat A of the First Wars were reused for this series.

External Links

• The Second Wars, Heat A on the UK Robot Wars Facebook page