The Fat Uncle is an atmospheric transport aircraft that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. It is used by the forces of the Principality of Zeon.
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Technology & Combat Characteristics
The Fat Uncle was the primary non-combat transport aircraft for the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War. The Fat Uncle's ungainly appearance belies its true effectiveness, as it's a highly efficient aircraft, able to carry nearly twice its weight in cargo, including Zaku type MS standing in the massive cargo bay. This is in part due to the powerful thermonuclear jet engines used for thrust, and the large VTOL rotors used for lift. Since the rotors attached to both wings can be folded together with the engine, the parking space is small even though it is a large aircraft. Like the Gaw, the Fat Uncle can perform drop operations, by opening its hatch during flight.
The Fat Uncle Custom, a variant used by Zeon Remnants in U.C. 0096, has its two jet engines moved to the top of the aircraft. A sliding door was also installed on the left side of the craft.
Armaments
- Twin Machine Gun
- The Fat Uncle is equipped with three 2-barrel defensive guns on the top, left and right sides of the aircraft. These machine guns serve as anti-air defense.
History
During the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation signed the Antarctic Treaty, which banned biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as well as prohibited the use of colony drops. Now restricted to conventional warfare, Zeon High Command knew that it was only a matter of time before the Federals took advantage of their massive raw material stockpiles and vast production capacity to turn the tide by sheer weight of numbers.
To prevent this, the Zeon forces initiated drop operations to seize control of various mining and manufacturing facilities, most famously California Base and Odessa. In order to supply their ground forces, the Principality developed and used the Fat Uncle transports to send supplies and mobile suits to the front lines. Besides supply duties, Fat Uncles were also used as mobile bases for Mobile Suit teams, or as rescue/evacuation craft.
Fat Uncles would generally be seen safely within Zeon lines, as they were very vulnerable to attack and the Federation generally had air superiority. Several Fat Uncles would nevertheless be seen on the front lines, whether delivering last minute supplies and reinforcements or evacuating key personnel and casualties.
Long after the One Year War, Zeon remnants use several modified Fat Uncles during an attack on Australia's Torrington Base in UC 0096, including Yonem Kirks.
Picture Gallery
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