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The FF-X7-Bst Core Booster is a space and atmospheric fighter featured in the Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow and Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space compilation movies.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The FF-X7 Core Fighter was a high-performance, multi-purpose fighter with a great deal of versatility. This was due to its main computer, which had more than ten times the processing power as those used by other aircraft. However, due to its small size, it was limited by its weak armaments and low fuel capacity. The Core Booster, an attachment to the Core Fighter, was intended to solve these problems.[1] The Booster unit was developed based on the data of the G-Sky and the G-Sky Easy. However, while the G-Sky was a fighter-bomber, the Core Booster was a pure fighter.[1]
In addition to the Core Fighter's 25mm Machine Cannons, the Booster was equipped with two beam cannons powered by the reactor, granting it significant firepower when docked. Since the Core Fighter's wings were folded when docked with the Booster, its missile launchers were unusable.[1] Instead, the Booster was equipped with two missile launchers underneath the beam cannons. Finally, a bomb bay was located underneath the Booster, which could be used to drop multi-warhead bombs.[2]
Having been designed for use both within atmosphere and in space, the Core Booster was propelled by thermonuclear engines, granting it excellent performance in both environments, with a maximum speed of Mach 5.38. In addition, it was equipped with a system that could spray fire-extinguishing fluids at damaged areas, improving its survivability.[3]
Armaments[]
- 25mm Machine Cannon
- Two pairs of machine cannons mounted in the nose of the Core Fighter.[1] According to some accounts, these were 30mm vulcan cannons instead.[3]
- Beam Cannon
- Two beam cannons were mounted on the top of the booster section, powered by the aircraft's reactor.[1] Due to issues with total power output, these used Energy CAP, the same technology used by the RX-78-2 Gundam's beam rifle.[3] They could be aimed using the same aiming device as the Gundam's beam rifle.[4]
- Missile Launchers
- Two missile launchers were located on the Booster unit, underneath the beam cannons.[2] These could hold four missiles.[3]
- Bomb Bay
- Located underneath the Booster unit.[2] It could hold two anti-submarine multi-warhead bombs.[3]
History[]
On November 2, U.C. 0079, General Revil assigned a Core Booster to the White Base Corp for testing and tasked Matilda Ajan with delivering it to them. The Core Booster arrived on the night of November 7. Sayla Mass, who was believed to have Newtype potential, became its pilot. When the Black Tri-Stars attacked the White Base, Sayla deployed in the Core Booster and eventually destroyed Ortega's Dom with its beam cannons.[5]
During Crowley Hamon's revenge attack on the White Base for the death of Ramba Ral, Sayla attempted to deploy in the Core Booster, but ultimately did not make it in time to participate in the battle.[5]
The Core Booster during the battle at Belfast
When the Mad Angler Corp attacked the Federation base at Belfast, Sayla deployed in the Core Booster, destroying a MSM-03 Gogg and sinking a Jukon-class submarine. Later, when the White Base was attacked by a MAM-07 Grublo and two MSM-07 Z'Gok over the Atlantic Ocean, Sayla deployed in the Core Booster once again and destroyed one of the Z'Goks. Immediately after, the Core Booster was damaged by one of the Grublo's missiles, causing its starboard engine to light up, though Sayla was able to extinguish it with the Core Booster's built-in fire extinguisher.[5]
Following Zeon's attack on Jaburo, the White Base received another Core Booster piloted by Sleggar Law. To differentiate the two, Sleggar's unit and Sayla's unit were given the unit numbers "005" and "006", respectively. After the White Base launched into space, it was soon attacked by the Camel Patrol Fleet led by Dren. The two Core Fighters engaged three MS-09R Rick Dom, with Sayla's Core Booster shooting one down using its beam cannons.[4]
After the White Base departed from Side 6 territory, it was attacked by the Conscon Mobile Fleet. Both Core Boosters were placed on standby, but did not deploy during this battle.[4]
Sayla abandoning her Core Booster
During the Battle of Solomon, Sleggar deployed in the 005 and participated in the battle, eventually taking damage to the portside engine and returning to the White Base. He later rejoined the battle and eventually launched an attack on the MA-08 Big Zam with the Gundam. The Big Zam launched its claws at the Core Booster, crushing its cockpit, but Sleggar sent the rest of the Core Booster crashing into the Big Zam, sacrificing himself and giving Amuro Ray the opening he needed to destroy the Big Zam with the Gundam's beam saber.[4]
Later, Sayla, piloting the 006, intervened in the duel between the Gundam and Char Aznable's MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type. Not knowing that his sister was the pilot, Char attacked the Core Booster and almost destroyed its cockpit, but Lalah Sune telepathically told him to stop, saving Sayla's life. Upon seeing Sayla in the cockpit, Char hesitated momentarily, allowing the Gundam to sever his Gelgoog's right arm. As the Gundam moved to finish Char, Lalah sacrificed herself by blocking the fatal blow with her MAN-08 Elmeth.[4] Later in his life, Char, thinking back to this moment, remarked that Lalah might not have died had it not been for his sister's presence.[6]
During the Battle of A Baoa Qu, Sayla deployed in the 006 and shot down at least one MS-14A Gelgoog. She eventually abandoned her Core Fighter after it took damage to its engines.[4]
During the One Year War, a total of 16 Core Boosters were produced, 6 of which saw combat.[1]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
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Games[]
Gunpla[]
Action Figures[]
Gashapon[]
Trivia[]
- In Mobile Suit Variation 3 - Federation Edition, it was stated that the Core Booster was developed based on the G-Sky and G-Sky Easy "aboard the White Base", even though the Core Booster replaced the role of the two in the movie continuity.
Behind the Scenes[]
The Core Booster was introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow as the replacement for the G-Fighter. According to The Men Who Created Gundam, the G-Fighter was an unrealistic design that both Yoshiyuki Tomino and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko disliked, and was only included to appease the sponsors and sell more toys, likely explaining its removal in the movie trilogy.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mobile Suit Variation 3 - Federation Edition (1984), p.115-117
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rapport Deluxe - Mobile Suit Gundam Universal Century Vol.2 (1998), p.127
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Gundam Officials (2001), p.269-270
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
External links[]