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"If this isn't the maddest robot we've ever seen, we don't know what is."
— Summary of Granny's Revenge in the original Robot Wars Magazine[1]

Granny's Revenge was a competitor robot which appeared in Series 5 and Series 6 of Robot Wars. Famous for its entertaining and flammable design - especially in the presence of Sgt. Bash - it lost in the first round in both of its televised appearances where it was set on fire by the House Robot's flamethrower.

The team had previously competed in Series 3 with Purple Predator, which had similar performances in combat.

Versions of Granny's Revenge[]

"Looks like some horror from a Hitchcock movie, and this is no sweet old lady. Watch for the pneumatic flipper as Gran... puts the boot in!"
Jonathan Pearce introduces Granny's Revenge in Series 5

As its name implied, Granny's Revenge was a tall, two-wheel drive heavyweight robot whose signature feature was a dummy of an elderly woman with glowing 'orange' eyes. The dummy was extremely flammable, made both incarnations top-heavy and in most cases would leave the entire robot burning once it had been set alight by flame hazards.

While its theme remained largely the same, the robot's chassis and weaponry would change considerably over the course of its televised appearances:

Granny's Revenge[]

Grannysrevenge 5 arena

The original Granny's Revenge in the arena

The original Series 5 version featured a motorised wheelchair with two driven wheels where the dummy would sit in. At 66kg, it was significantly lighter than other UK Championship competitors in spite of its height of 1.58 metres. Granny's Revenge featured a pneumatically-operated leg which functioned as a flipping arm. When asked by Philippa Forrester about the robot's design, the idea of which was jointly shared by all team members, Phillip Andrew stated that the 'leg' would give opponents a 'kick', though it was never shown to operate in its opening battle. The dummy also wielded a mock-up chainsaw which was purely a decorative prop.

Granny's Revenge 2[]

Granny's Revenge 2 Arena

Granny's Revenge 2 in the arena during Series 6

For Series 6, Granny's Revenge 2 (stylised as Granny's Revenge II), adopted a small fire-axe held in the dummy's left hand; like the 'flipping leg', this was functional, but saw limited usage on television. Replacing the wheelchair was a three-wheeled motorised scooter, offering improved pushing power and stability as well as faster movements across the arena.

The dummy itself also received new hair and clothing, but remained flammable and top-heavy. Granny's Revenge 2 was also 6kg lighter than its predecessor at 60kg, again making it the lightest heavyweight competitor in the series.

The Team[]

Granny team s6 qual

The Andrew family team with Granny's Revenge 2 at the Sixth Wars qualifiers

Granny's Revenge was entered by the Andrew family from Charvil, Reading, who had previously appeared in The Third Wars with Purple Predator. Father Trevor Andrew took up the role of team captain and was accompanied by sons George (Series 5), Phillip and Ben (Series 6); the latter two would take turns driving Granny's Revenge in each of its respective appearances.

Qualification[]

Granny's rev qualifiers

Granny's Revenge 2 at the Sixth Wars qualifiers

As part of its qualification for Series 5, Granny's Revenge was known to have taken part in at least one melee battle during the 2001 Wembley Arena Live Event, along with its predecessor Purple Predator. Both faced Roobarb, reigning World Champion Razer, Rattus Rattus and House Robot Shunt.

"We were all clearly briefed to burn the carpet and the old lady and have some fun."
— The Roobarb website on the Series 5 qualifier involving Granny's Revenge[2]

During the battle, at least one robot caught fire and the dummy on Granny's Revenge was 'ripped to bits' by its opponents;[2] the full extent of the damage sustained by it and Purple Predator remains unclear. Nevertheless, Granny's Revenge would receive a place for the Fifth Wars alongside Razer.

According to Trevor Andrew in Robot Wars: The Official Magazine, the team had to place a plastic bag over Granny's Revenge 2 to avoid police detection while transporting it to the Series 6 qualifiers. At that stage, it fought Woden, future UK Champion Typhoon 2 and Kat 3, getting toppled over almost immediately by Woden. Granny's Revenge 2 was immobilised straight away, but qualified alongside eventual winner Kat 3 through receiving a discretionary place.

Robot History[]

Series 5[]

Granny's Revenge debuted in Heat H of The Fifth Wars, facing Team Iron-Awe's new robot Axe-Awe in its first-round battle.

"The Refbot looks on and blinks in disbelief, as Granny's Revenge wheelchair enters the arena, and turns away. Good to see the blankets on, just to keep you warm, love, out there, okay? Now don't go too fast...you mustn't stumble over!"
— Jonathan Pearce during the opening moments of Granny's Revenge's first televised fight
Grannys Revenge fire

Granny's Revenge is set on fire

Initially, it trundled around in circles past Refbot and Axe-Awe, before bumping into the rear of its reversing opponent. Granny's Revenge gingerly manoeuvred towards and away from the left-hand wall, crossing over an inactive CO2 vent as Axe-Awe spun into its side. It drove away and over the closed pit, only to bump into and be reversed into the vicinity of Sgt. Bash by Team Iron-Awe's machine. The House Robot fired flames at Granny's Revenge, instantly setting light to the dummy and the blankets draped over its left side.

"What a nightmare this is! Oh, in comes the flamethrower! Granny's...[laughter] Granny's on fire! Oh dear, oh dear! Now, has she got her teeth in? That's what I want to know!"
— Jonathan Pearce, as Granny’s Revenge is set alight by Sgt. Bash
RefbotGrannyAxeAwe

Granny's Revenge down the pit with Refbot

Seemingly untroubled by this, Granny's Revenge pressed the pit release button and reversed into Axe-Awe, which responded by puncturing the right tyre of the Andrew family's creation. While pushing it towards the open trap, Axe-Awe axed the side of Granny's Revenge a second time, by which point Granny's Revenge had almost completely been engulfed in smoke and flames. Left immobile on one side, it was bumped by Axe-Awe again before driving itself towards the pit; Granny's Revenge was effectively stranded as its left wheels dropped over the edge. Somewhat ironically, it was pushed in by Refbot, who in turn got pushed in on top of Granny's Revenge by Axe-Awe just before 'Cease' was called.

"Go on, you're gonna miss the pension down the post office, love! Gotta be out of the arena quickly! OH, who's gone in there with her? The Refbot's gone in! Granny's got hold of the Refbot, what a dreadful thought!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Granny's Revenge - and Refbot - are pitted

The now-incinerated Granny's Revenge was thus eliminated from The Fifth Wars.

Series 6[]

"Oh no, gruesome ghastly Granny's back! It's only fun!"
— Jonathan Pearce introduces Granny's Revenge 2

On the Andrew family's return for The Sixth Wars, Granny's Revenge 2 was placed in Heat K, facing 4x4, fellow Fifth Wars returnee Barber-Ous 2 and fourth seed Hypno-Disc. In a humorous twist, the family were completely absent from their pre-battle interview, leaving Philippa Forrester to 'ask' the granny dummy about facing the three-time Grand Finalist.

"She didn't say much, but she gets quite hot during the battles, if you know what I mean!"
— Philippa Forrester, upon 'interviewing' the dummy on Granny's Revenge 2
Barber-Ous 2 vs Granny's Revenge 2

Barber-Ous 2 nearly flips Granny's Revenge 2 out of the arena

Granny's Revenge 2 took a tentative start, lightly tapping the left-rear wheel of Hypno-Disc before fleeing from and backing into a pursuing Barber-Ous 2. Barber-Ous 2 proceeded to box Granny's Revenge 2 into a nearby CPZ, buffeting and almost tipping it over the arena wall. The attacks left Granny's Revenge 2 immobile as Sgt. Bash rammed and torched the Reading-based machine's dummy once again. Granny's Revenge 2 was dragged out of the CPZ and left to smoulder near the centre of the arena as Refbot began counting it out.

"Granny's Revenge 2 is about to be counted out! She's smoking already! Granny...don't smoke, it's bad for your health!"
— Jonathan Pearce as Granny's Revenge 2 meets a smoky end
Dropzonecooker

Granny's Revenge 2 is flattened by a cooker

Hypno-Disc, the only competitor still mobile at that point, sent Granny's Revenge 2 flying towards the Drop Zone target with a powerful hit. Flames began spreading over the dummy which lost its right arm in the impact; the mobility scooter also took heavy damage with its right-rear wheel now bent out of alignment. As Hypno-Disc continued attacking 4x4 and an also badly-damaged Barber-Ous 2, Granny's Revenge 2 was placed fully over the Drop Zone, the smoke reaching the arena ceiling and partially obscuring the cooker suspended above. The cooker dropped, crushing the smouldering dummy, and Hypno-Disc attacked Granny's Revenge 2 once more just before 'Cease' was called.

"...but that is no way to treat the elderly! Poor Granny's Revenge...gets toasted by Bash and then a cooker dropped on her head! Barber-Ous, and Hypno-Disc – they go through!"
Craig Charles declares the outcome of the first round

Despite their robot returning to The Pits in a charred and mangled state, the Andrews remained jovial about their defeat when speaking to Philippa Forrester afterwards.

Philippa Forrester: "...and there, you can see, damage is actually unlimited. You nearly went over the edge as well!"
Trevor Andrew: "Yes, that was our biggest fear, being tipped over...and fire!"
Philippa Forrester: "Did you suspect this might happen?"
Ben Andrew: "Erm, no, it's very surprising. It's just got a few scratches, nothing we can't repair!"
— The team take their defeat in good spirits

Needless to say, Granny's Revenge 2 was eliminated from The Sixth Wars alongside 4x4, in the Andrew family's last appearance on Robot Wars.

Results[]

GRANNY'S REVENGE - RESULTS
Series 5
The Fifth Wars - UK Championship
Heats, Round 1
Heat H, Eliminator vs. Axe-Awe Lost
GRANNY'S REVENGE 2 - RESULTS
Series 6
The Sixth Wars - UK Championship
Heats, Round 1
Heat K, Round 1 vs. 4x4, Barber-Ous 2, Hypno-Disc (4) Eliminated

Wins/Losses[]

  • Wins: 0
  • Losses: 2

Series Record[]

Series Granny's Revenge Series Record
The First Wars Did not enter
The Second Wars Did not enter
The Third Wars Entered with Purple Predator
The Fourth Wars Did not enter
The Fifth Wars Heat, Round 1
Failed to qualify with Purple Predator
The Sixth Wars Heat, Round 1
The Seventh Wars Did not enter
Series 8 Did not enter
Series 9 Did not enter
Series 10 Did not enter

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Despite its size and height, Granny's Revenge was the lightest robot to enter the main competition of both the Fifth Wars and the Sixth Wars, at 66kg and 60kg respectively.
    • Both versions were also 10kg and 16kg lighter respectively than their predecessor Purple Predator.
  • Both of Granny's Revenge's battles also involved Sir Killalot as the other allocated House Robot.

References[]

Navigation[]

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