The MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen (MS-09F/trop ドム・トローペン Domu Torōpen?) is a mass-produced ground combat mobile suit introduced in OVA Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. Its design was later updated in the novel Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and its OVA adaptation. Known pilots included Gaily and Adamski.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
Although the MS-09 Dom was developed for ground combat, it was expected that the MS would wear out and break down rapidly in desert and hot areas such as Africa, so development of a localized warfare version was also underway at the same time, resulting in the MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen.[1] In other words, the Dom Tropen is a version of the Dom optimized for tropical and desert environments.[2] Like the MS-09G Dowadge, the Dom Tropen was developed to meet the demands of high performance for land combat.[3] It was based on the MS-09F Dom Funf, and its structure took into consideration aerodynamics, ease of maintenance, and expandability, based on operational data obtained from MS-09 Dom as well as the YMS-09D Dom Tropical Test Type which was deployed in Africa and other fronts.[3][2]
The Dom Tropen featured several major design differences from the Dom. Firstly, its head structure was closer to that of the MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II, with a sub-sensor equipped on top.[2] Secondly, dust-proof air filters and expanded cooling devices were installed in various parts of the body, and its armor was made into blocks to simplify maintenance, making it easier to remove sand that gets inside the armor.[4] Thirdly, an improved air intake filter for the thermonuclear jet hover engine in the legs was adopted as a measure against fine sand dust, and the leg armors were shaped with a high surface effect suitable for operating in desert environment.[2] Fourthly, Dom Tropen's redesigned cockpit was said to be the second production type based on the United Maintenance Plan, making it easier to transition when learning how to pilot the machine, which was unique and different from the Zakus and Goufs.[5] Last but not least, Dom Tropen's compatibility with equipment had been thoroughly improved, and most weapons other than beam weapons could be used without adjustment.[2]
The Dom Tropen weighted 44.8 tons, significantly lighter than the Dom's 62.6 tons.[5] Considering the Dom's characteristic of hovering on ground, the lighter weight of Dom Tropen directly translated to greater maneuverability and allowed for more ammunition to be carried.[5] Despite Dom Tropen's thruster output (47,200 kg) being lower than that of the Dom's (58,200 kg), its lighter weight likely improved its maneuverability over the latter.[5] Overall, the Dom Tropen succeeded in acquiring performance that was more suited to the tropical and desert area where it was deployed.[3]
Armaments
- Scattering Beam Gun[6]
- Mounted in Dom Tropen's left chest, it was also known as "Beam Point",[7][8] and was a variation of MS-09 Dom's build-in beam weapon. Used in close quarters against EFF's mobile weapons,[7] the scattering beam gun produced a bright light that could momentarily blind pilot's eyes and visual sensors.
- Heat Saber
- The Dom Tropen's main close combat weapon, its saber part heated up for melting through enemy units.[9] The heat generating device was highly efficient at converting energy into heat, but it wore out quickly after use and was basically a disposable weapon.[2] Mounted on the right side of the backpack when not in use.
- VAL-RB-T27/880mm Raketen Bazooka[10]
- Manufactured by Volks Armehen Laboratorium (VAL),[11] the raketen bazooka was loaded with powerful rocket-propelled rounds with the length of 880mm,[10] in which the warheads consumed propellant and flied. It had improved targeting sensor with protective cover, and a laser device installed in the barrel allows it to be guided with considerable accuracy at close range.[10] The raketen bazooka was fed by a reloadable five-round magazine. The weapon could be stored on the rear skirt armor, while spare magazines could be stored on the waist armors.
- H&L-SB25K/280mmA-P Zaku Bazooka
- Manufactured by Honeywall & Lytheon (H&L),[11] it was a weapon originally used by Zeon's Zaku type MS. It was primarily for anti-ship combat and displays its power in hit-and-run attacks. It can also be used against enemy mobile suits, but it is harder to hit a constantly moving target.
- H&L-GB03K/360mm Giant Bazooka[10]
- Manufactured by H&L,[11] the giant bazooka was a mobile suit-use rocket launcher that fires rocket-propelled 360mm physical rounds. Liquid fuel supplied through a pipe from the Dom Tropen's hand was injected as a primary propellant, and then the projectile's speed was increased by rocket motor ignition. It was fed by a 10 rounds magazine, and a single round could blow the torso off of an enemy mobile suit.
- MMP-80/90mm Ver.8 Machine Gun[10]
- A small caliber machine gun for mobile suits developed under the United Maintenance Plan. The overall shape and mechanism of the Zaku Machine Gun, which was previously deployed, has been changed. The magazine has been changed from a drum magazine to a box magazine, and a 197mm grenade launcher is available as an option. The caliber has been reduced to 90mm, but as a result, the hit rate has improved, and the 90mm round also has excellent initial velocity and anti-MS firepower. A standard single magazine contains 32 bullets and a triple magazine contains 100 bullets. The late production model features a different barrel and hand guard, resulting in a more compact shape.
- Hand Grenade
- A throwing weapon that could be set to detonate upon impact with the target or timed to explode after a preset time.[12] They came in multiple variants, allowing them to perform different roles in battle.
- A simplified, disposable rocket launcher. As the warhead is not equipped with a guidance device, it is extremely hard to use the Sturm Faust to hit a moving target accurately. However, it is still a highly destructive portable weapon. Can be stored on the waist armor.
Special Equipment
- Dust Filter[2]
- A pair of large dust filters were attached to the cylindrical air intakes of Dom Tropen's thermonuclear hovering jet engine, which were located on both side of the feet.[1] The air intake had an elaborate shape with an opening and closing cover at the entrance and a mesh structure on the side, and in deserts and dusty places, the cover at the end is closed and air is drawn in through a filter from the side.[5] In addition to physical filters, it also incorporated electromagnetic induction and centrifugal separation mechanisms to prevent the inclusion of large and small dust particles,[2] which greatly improve the efficiency of the thermonuclear jet engine under dessert and tropical environment.[5]
History
the Dom Tropens were manufactured at the California Base MS factory on the West Coast of North America and they were mainly deployed to the North African front.[7] During the Battle of Jaburo on November 30, UC 0079, half of the seven Dom-type mobile suits deployed were Dom Tropen.[13] Other instances of Dom Tropen's deployment included: one unit was assigned to 2nd. Lt. Sandra of Midnight Fenrir Corps,[14] while another unit was piloted by her former Fenrir teammate 2nd. Lt. Sophie Fran during Operation Silver Lance in U.C. 0084.[15] Another two units, piloted by Delaz Fleet's Gaily and Adamski, would participate in the theft of the RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" from the Earth Federation Forces' Torrington Base in October U.C. 0083.[9] Another four units were seen aiding the defense of Zeon's underground Kimbareid Base in eastern Africa.[16]
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA
In U.C. 0096, a Dom Tropen was used by the Zeon Remnants to attack the Federation's Torrington Base in combination with a MS-09G Dwadge and a MS-06D Desert Zaku. They were later destroyed by the regrouping Federation Forces during their counterattack.[12]
Gallery
Lineart
Anime
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
Manga
Illustrations & Artwork
Games
Gunpla
![1/144 HGUC MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen [Unicorn Ver.] (P-Bandai exclusive; 2017): box art](/wiki/File:HGUC_Dom_Tropen_-Unicorn_Ver.-.jpg "HGUC Dom Tropen -Unicorn Ver.-.jpg (673 KB)")
Action Figures
Robot Damashii
MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen ver. A.N.I.M.E. (Bandai; June 2020)
MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen Kimbareid Base ver. A.N.I.M.E. (P-Bandai exclusive; June 2021)
Notes & Trivia
The beam rifle from Zeonic Front Game
- The word Tropen is German for tropical.[1]
- The word Raketen is German for rocket.
- There are conflicting accounts on the existence of Dom Tropen's scattering beam gun. Several reference materials indicated the chest-mounted weapon was a standard feature of the MS;[4][7][8][17][18] Some references stated that the weapon was abolished on Dom Tropen for a variety of reasons, including a lack of space due to the presence of heavy armor,[19] low effectiveness in the atmosphere,[20][21] and difficulty in maintenance. [22] Other references simply bypassed the subject altogether.[23][3][24][1][2][25] Nevertheless, the scattering beam gun is currently being listed as part of Dom Tropen's weaponry on the official Gundam 0083 website,[6] hence its authenticity is observed here.
- On an interesting note: Futabasha (双葉社?), the Japanese publisher behind the popular Great Mechanics Special MOOK series, has one reference stated the scattering beam gun was abolished on the Dom Tropen,[21] while another reference confirmed its existence.[18] Similarly, description for the beam point (scattering beam gun) was prominently featured on Bandai's HGUC 1/144 Dom Tropen model kit manual in 2000,[8] but it was removed from the subsequent HGUC 1/144 Dom Tropen (sand brown colors) model kit manual two years later, without explicitly denied its existence.[2]
- In Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front, the Dom Tropen can be optionally equipped with a beam rifle after clearing the game once. The rifle's design resembles the one used by the MS-14Fs Gelgoog Marine Commander Type. Since it was not referenced in any other media, this rifle was likely simply a non-canon bonus content.
- In SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online the Dom Tropen has two variations - a standard colored one and the Kimbareid Forces colors, known as "Desert Colors". Both versions use the Heat Rod and the Sturm Faust, but the standard Dom Tropen uses the machine gun and the "Desert Colors" uses the Raketen Bazooka.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 (May 1998) ガンダムメカニクス1 (in Japanese). ホビージャパン, Pg26. ISBN 9784894251786.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 (February 2002) 1/144 HGUC MS-09F Dom Tropen (Sand Brown) model kit manual (in Japanese). Bandai, Pg2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 (February 1992) ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE .42 機動戦士ガンダム MS大図鑑【PART.6 デラーズ紛争編〈上〉】 (in Japanese). バンダイ, Pg36. ISBN 4891892153.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 (November 1993) NEWTYPE 100% Collection 20 CODE NAME "STARDUST" OPERATION PROGRAM U.C.0083.10.13 STARDUST OPERATION STARTED (in Japanese). 角川書店, Pg32. ISBN 9784048522687.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 (October 2011) 双葉社MOOK グレートメカニック・スペシャル モビルスーツ全集4 MS07/09グフ&ドムBOOK (in Japanese). 双葉社, Pg61. ISBN 9784575464610.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen's profile on Official Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory Website (Japanese)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 (November 1992) コミックボンボンスペシャル84 MS WARS 機動戦士ガンダム0083 (in Japanese). 講談社, Pg118. ISBN 4061032844.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 (November 2000) 1/144 HGUC MS-09F Dom Tropen model kit manual (in Japanese). Bandai, Pg2.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 1, Gundamjack
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 (June 1999) 1/100 MG MS-09 Dom model kit manual (in Japanese). Bandai, Pg13.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 (April 2010) データガンダム キャラクター列伝 宇宙世紀編 I (in Japanese). 角川書店, Pg21. ISBN 9784047154452.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Episode 4, At the Bottom of the Gravity Well
- ↑ (December 1991) ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE .39 機動戦士ガンダム 戦略戦術大図鑑 ~1年戦争全記録 (in Japanese). バンダイ, Pg99. ISBN 4891891777.
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front
- ↑ Gundam Legacy
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 4, Attack and Retreat on the Burning Sand
- ↑ (March 2007) 機動戦士ガンダム 一年戦争全史 U.C.0079-0080 (上) (in Japanese). GAKKEN, Pg80. ISBN 9784056045031.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 (May 2019) 双葉社MOOK グレートメカニック・スペシャル モビルスーツ全集13 ジオン陸戦モビルスーツ&兵器BOOK (in Japanese). 双葉社, Pg42. ISBN 9784575465150.
- ↑ (January 1993) ラポートデラックス 機動戦士ガンダム0083スターダストメモリー (in Japanese). ラポート, Pg132. ISBN 1069160401606.
- ↑ (March 2001) 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS (in Japanese). 講談社, Pg520. ISBN 9784063301106.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 (October 2011) 双葉社MOOK グレートメカニック・スペシャル モビルスーツ全集4 MS07/09グフ&ドムBOOK (in Japanese). 双葉社, Pg60. ISBN 9784575464610.
- ↑ (May 2012) The Official Gundam Fact File No. 14 (in Chinese). DeAGOSTINI, Pg6. ISBN 4710446414434.
- ↑ (December 1991) MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 0083 STARDUST MEMORY 略奪編 (in Japanese). ケイブンシャ, Pg56. ISBN 63552-10.
- ↑ (April 1997) データコレクション(3) 機動戦士ガンダム 一年戦争外伝 (in Japanese). メディアワークス, Pg37. ISBN 9784073058403.
- ↑ (April 2011) 機動戦士ガンダム００８３ with ファントム・ブレット ３Ｄ＆設定資料集 (in Japanese). アスキ−・メディアワ−クス, Pg170. ISBN 9784048704540.