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MS-05A
Zaku I Early Type
Model number: MS-05A Code name: Zaku I Early Type Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit Manufacturer: Zeonic Company Operator: Principality of Zeon First deployment: May UC 0075 Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso Dimensions: head height 17.5 meters Weight: empty 50.3 metric tons; max gross 65.0 metric tons Armor materials: super-hard steel alloy Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, power output rating unknown Propulsion: 2 x rocket thrusters: output unknown Equipment and design features: none Fixed armaments: none Optional hand armaments: 105mm machine gun, drum-fed, 100 rounds per drum, spare drums can be stored on waist armor racks; 280mm Zaku bazooka, 4 round magazine; heat hawk, battery powered, can be stored on waist armor racks; shotgun
The MS-05A Zaku I was the Principality of Zeon’s first attempt to create a capable mass produced mobile suit for frontline duties. It was the first mobile suit to incorporate the Minovsky-Ionesco fusion reactor, and the first to mimic human movements. Often called the ‘Early Type’ by later generations of pilots, the MS-05A was the suit on which many famous pilots trained. During the month of November, UC 0075, 27 of these units were assigned to new pilots for evaluation. Among them were the ‘Blue Giant’ Ramba Ral, the ‘Black Tri-Stars’ Gaia, Ortega and Mash, and many members of the Home Defense Corps. The strengths and weaknesses of the design were hammered out during this testing phase, and led to the development of the MS-05B Zaku I. For all practical intents and purposes, the MS-05A was exactly the same as it’s brother, the MS-05B. The only differences being general improvements in all areas including a redesigned cockpit, a higher-output powerplant, and redesigned armor. The MS-05A was never produced in great numbers, and was labeled as unfit for combat even before the start of the One Year War. The Zaku I lost it’s place as a frontline suit to the MS-06C Zaku II. However, the tally of men and machines lost after Operation British and the Battle of Loum saw a sizeable number of these machines brought back to the front lines as a buffer until losses could be replaced. Several units were assigned to the newly-formed Midnight Fenrir corps on the eve of the Second Earth Descent Operation, as the standard MS-06F Zaku II was in short supply. The Midnight Fenrir would use their old Zaku Is for quite some time before eventually retiring them in favor of newer mobile suits being rolled out towards the war’s end. The MS-05A would continue to see service throughout the war in a limited capacity, serving mostly as patrol units, workers and frontline units for backwater bases.
Pilot(s): Matt Austin, Lee Swaggard, Ramba Ral, Gaia, Mash, Ortega Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: Zeonic Front
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