The FA-78-1B Full Armor Gundam (Type B) was an Earth Federation Forces mobile suit introduced in the design series MSV-R.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The FA-78-1B Full Armor Gundam (Type B) was developed as part of the FSWS Plan, a plan intended to develop optional equipment for the RX-78 Gundam series to maximize the abilities of Newtype pilots. Based on the FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam, or "Type A", the Type B was specialized for medium-range bombardment against enemy fleets, and boasted vastly increased firepower.[1][2] Its base unit was the RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam, which featured improved mobility over the RX-78-2 Gundam due to its Magnet Coating treatment and the upgraded laser accelerator of its reactor.[1] Because of this, it was also known as the "FA-G3".[3]
The Type B overhauled the Type A's weapons and fire control systems.[3] Its missile bays were upgraded, with the shoulder missile bays each holding 7 missiles and the knee missile bays each holding 6.[2] In addition to the G-3's sensors, it was equipped with a high-density type long distance optical observation system on its backpack. A large composite missile launcher was mounted on the left side of the backpack, which had five missile bays on the top and two long-range missile launchers on the front.[3] Instead of the Twin Beam Rifle, the Type B had a Triple Beam Rifle mounted on its right arm. This was made possible due to revisions to the additional generator installed in the backpack armor, which resulted in increased energy efficiency.[3] On its left arm was a small shield with two integrated beam sabers. The rest of the armor and the 360mm Rocket Cannon mounted on the right side of the backpack were unchanged.[1][2]
In combat, the Full Armor Gundam Type B was intended to penetrate the defenses of the enemy fleet and destroy the flagship, forcing the fleet to either flee or fall into disarray. Working backwards from this tactic, it was possible to glimpse the Earth Federation Forces' approach to fleet defense.[3] According to Federation data, the Type B had enough firepower to combat a medium-sized fleet on equal or better footing.[3]
Armaments[]
- 60mm Vulcan Gun
- A pair of shell-firing weapon built into the head. Though not powerful, its high rate of fire meant it was employed to intercept incoming missiles, etc.
- Shoulder 7-tube Missile
- Each side of the upper torso had a compartment loaded with seven missiles.[1]
- Knee 6-tube Missile
- Each knee armor had a compartment loaded with six missiles.[1]
- 360mm Rocket Cannon
- Mounted on the right side of the backpack, it was the same weapon used by the Full Armor Gundam.[1] It held five rounds.[4]
- Large Missile Launcher
- Mounted on the weapon latch on the left side of the backpack, it was a composite launcher with five missile bays at the top and a long-range missile launcher on the front. The missile bays held the same type of small missile as the shoulder and knee missile bays in a 2x2 configuration, for a total of 20. The front of the launcher had two long-range missile launchers, each holding one long-range missile.[1] This weapon was designed to counter any anti-beam defenses employed by enemy vessels.[3]
- Triple Beam Rifle
- A 3-barreled, Energy CAP-type beam rifle mounted on the forearm armor. It had three firing modes: burst fire, rapid fire, and 3-barrel simultaneous fire.[1] The use of this weapon was made possible due to increased power efficiency caused by revisions to the backpack generator.[3]
- Beam Saber
- A pair of beam sabers were mounted in the small shield on the left forearm.[1] They were also known as "twin beam saber".[3]
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Long Distance Optical Observation System
- Mounted on the backpack's left side, it contained a high-density, long-range optical sensor system.[3]
History[]
Having learned from the Battle of A Baoa Qu, during which Federation mobile suits were forced to launch an assault without artillery support from warships, the Federation Forces recognized the neccesity of a mobile suit with firepower rivaling that of a fleet.[5] After the first examination of the FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam's added weapon systems, the concept of a medium-range bombardment variant with increased firepower emerged. This "B Plan" was eventually given the model number of FA-78-1B.[6]
In U.C. 0089, some of the Type B's data was publicized. Due to its performance far surpassing those of other mobile suits at the time, many questioned if it was ever produced or if it was only a simulator concept, as with the Type A. The Earth Federation Forces did not comment on this matter.[3]
In U.C. 0090, Federation Survey Service member Led Wayline piloted the Type B (codenamed "FA-G3") on a simulator in Luna II to prepare a report on the mobile suit. In the simulation, the FA-G3 deployed from the SCV-73 Blanc Rival and engaged a team of three mobile suits based on a mothership.[3]
As Led closed in, the Blanc Rival operator informed him that the three units were likely Gelgoog Type based on thruster spectrogram analysis, specifically the B Type based on their speeds. However, one of the Gelgoogs fired a beam cannon at the FA-G3, revealing it to be a MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon. Led returned fire with the FA-G3's rocket cannon, destroying it in two shots.[3]
The two remaining MS-14B fired their beam rifles at the FA-G3. However, instead of engaging them, Led raced ahead towards the mothership, ignoring the Blanc Rival operator's protests that this was not part of the plan. The mothership, a Tivvay-class cruiser, fired its beam cannons and missiles at the FA-G3, but the FA-G3 evaded them and returned fire with its triple beam rifle and long-range missiles, destroying the ship's thrusters and severely damaging it.[3]
From the explosion, one of the MS-14B emerged and attacked the FA-G3 with its beam sword. Led countered with the twin beam sabers in the shield and destroyed it with the triple beam rifle. The other MS-14B attacked Led from the back, but Led fired the Large Missile Launcher's top missile bays at it, destroying it as well.[3]
With all enemies destroyed, Led thought the simulation was over. However, the simulation suddenly glitched, and one of the destroyed MS-14B morphed into a blue Gelgoog. The blue Gelgoog welcomed the return of Johnny Ridden and destroyed the Gundam with its beam sword, ending the simulation.[3]
Outside the simulator, the "operator", actually fellow FSS member Rimia Greenwood, complained to Led about losing so easily. Led was shocked to hear that she did not see the glitch nor the blue Gelgoog and thought Led was defeated by a regular B Type Gelgoog.[3]
Gallery[]
Manga[]
Illustration & Artwork[]
Games[]
Gunpla[]
Notes & Trivia[]
References[]
.jpg "FULLARMOR GUNDAM (TYPE B).jpg (76 KB)")
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Gundam Ace May 2010 issue, MSV-R Vol.13
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kenichi Kusakari (2012-03-22). 機動戦士ガンダムMSV-R 連邦編 [Mobile Suit Gundam MSV-R: Federation Edition] 1 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation, pp. 10-11. ISBN 9784041202104.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden MATERIAL-A001: Voice
- ↑ MSV 1/144 FA-78-1 Gundam Full Armor Type (1983) instruction manual
- ↑ (2012-01-31) 機動戦士ガンダムMSV-R グラフィックドキュメント [Mobile Suit Gundam MSV-R: Graphic Document] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works, p. 55. ISBN 9784048862127.
- ↑ Kenichi Kusakari (2012-03-22). 機動戦士ガンダムMSV-R 連邦編 [Mobile Suit Gundam MSV-R: Federation Edition] 1 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation, pp. 92-93. ISBN 9784041202104.
External links[]