Johnny Ridden's MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type, arguably the most famous unit of the line
The MS-06R Zaku II High Mobility Type (高機動型ザクII Kō kidō gata Zaku tsu?) was a series of mobile suits produced and operated by the Principality of Zeon. It was a variant of the MS-06 Zaku II specialized for space combat.
History[]
Developed in response to veteran pilots' request for a high performance mobile suit, the development of the MS-06R series began with the MS-06RP Zaku II High Mobility Test Type, which was quickly approved for mass production, leading to the production of the MS-06R-1 Zaku II High Mobility Test Type.[1]
The greatest characteristics of the R Type were the addition of thruster nozzels to the legs and the use of improved backpacks with higher thruster and generator output. While the additional thrusters massively increased propellant consumption, the resulting increase in maneuverability and mobility were considered worth the cost.[1]
Despite the complexity of its operation, the MS-06R's performance was extremely high, making it very popular among Zeon ace pilots. However, its production cost was too high for mass production to be feasible. A common saying among Zeon pilots was that "It's easier to sink a Federation battleship than it is to get your hands on an R Type." The R-1 series, the most common variant of the R Type, only had 56 units produced by the end of the One Year War.[1] The R-2 competed with the MS-09R Rick Dom to be Zeon's main space combat mobile suit, but ended up losing, with only four units being produced.[2]
Variants[]
- MS-06RP Zaku II High Mobility Test Type
- MS-06R-1 Zaku II High Mobility Test Type
- MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type
- MS-06R-2P Zaku II High Mobility Test Type
- MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type
- MS-06R-3S High Mobility Type Zaku
- MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type