MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type

The MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type is an experimental mobile suit that appears in the series Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.

Technology & Combat Characteristics
Developed as a refined version of the MS-07 Gouf Flight Type, the MS-07H-8 was a prototype unit designed to test the concept of an atmospheric flight-capable mobile suit, However, the Zeon military halted this unit's development to focus on the creation of a flying mobile suit. Despite the cancellation of the program, several experimental units still occasionally found their way into the field for testing. The MS-07H-8 featured an improved backpack fitted with more powerful thrusters and thermonuclear jet engines. Aerodynamic control surface wings were added to the backpack and waist armor, giving the MS-07H-8 more stability in flight. Although the unit was a vast improvement over its predecessors, tests revealed that the H8 still suffered the same problems encountered by previous versions: the engines were prone to overheating and consumed a lot of fuel at high altitudes and high speeds, limiting its range and flight time.

Armaments

 * 3-barrel 35mm Machine Gun
 * A 3-barrel 35mm machine gun could be mounted on the left forearm. This new machine gun had greater effect on more heavily armored machines, and was magazine fed.


 * Gatling Shield
 * A new type of shield that contains a powerful 75mm Gatling gun that was drum-and-belt fed. The Gouf Flight Type could easily discard the shield if its weight proved to be a hindrance when it needed speed and maneuverability.


 * Heat Sword
 * For melee combat the Gouf line of mobile suits are equipped with a heat sword. Like the Zaku's heat tomahawk the heat sword is a blade that is heated to high temperatures in order to increase their cutting capacity. The Heat Sword was designed after a broadsword so its blade is longer than the tomahawk allowing for a greater range of attack. It is stored in the Gatling Shield.

History
At least two MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type mobile suits were built and stationed at Ginias Saharin's southeast Asian base. They were used to escort the Apsalus III when the massive mobile armor rose out of the mountain. When Aina Saharin forced a ceasefire with the Earth Federation Forces, she allowed the pilots of the Gouf Flight Types to rendezvous with the Zanzibar-class Kergeren that was taking off and returning to space. However, when the Zanzibar-class was destroyed by a RGM-79(G) GM Sniper, one of the Goufs was destroyed while the other, damaged but still operational, was destroyed shortly after.