MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1

MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1
MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1 (MSZ-006A1, MSK-006 ΖプラスA1型)
Unit Type
Limited Production Transformable Atmospheric Mobile Suit
Profile
Developed from	MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam
Developed Into	MSZ-006B Ζeta Plus B MSZ-006C1 Zeta Plus C1 MSZ-006D Zeta Plus D RGZ-91X Re-GZID
Variants	MSZ-006A1B Zeta Plus A1B MSZ-006A2 Ζeta Plus A2 MSZ-006A3 Zeta Plus A3 MSZ-006BN Zeta Plus BN
First Seen	November, 0087 U.C.
Manufacturer	Anaheim Electronics
Operator	Karaba Earth Federation Forces Task Force Alpha
General Characteristics
Overall Height	22.11 meters72.539 ft <br />870.472 in <br />
Head Height	19.86 meters65.157 ft <br />781.89 in <br />
Max Weight	68.4 metric tons
Empty Weight	32.7 metric tons
Power-plant	Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor
Power Output	2070 kW2,775.916 hp <br />
Sensor Range	16200 meters53,149.606 ft <br />
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only (in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso)
Armor	Gundarium γ Alloy Composite
Movement
Max Acceleration	1.48 G
Rocket Thrusters	5 x 12200 kg26,896.388 lb <br />13.448 tons <br /> 2 x 10600 kg23,368.993 lb <br />11.684 tons <br /> 4 x 7600 kg16,755.127 lb <br />8.378 tons <br /> 101000 kg222,666.822 lb <br />111.333 tons <br /> (total thrust)
Vernier Thrusters	8
Standard Armaments
Fixed	2 x 60mm Vulcan Gun 2 x Thigh Beam Cannon (2 x Beam Saber)
Handheld	Shield Beam Rifle
Optional Armaments
Handheld	Beam Rifle (U.C. 0096, ReZEL's version) Bazooka
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Hajime Katoki
Appearances*
OVA	MSG-UC GBDR: First Seen in Episode #26
Manga	GNT(M)
Novel	Gundam Sentinel

The MSZ-006A1 Ζeta Plus A1 (Z Plus A1) is one of the Zeta Plus line of mobile suits introduced in the photo-novel Gundam Sentinel.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The transformable mobile suit MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam developed by the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) is originally considered far too complex and expensive for mass production. But Karaba, the AEUG's terrestrial ally, takes note of the Zeta Gundam's effectiveness and redesigns it to create the mass production type MSK-006 Zeta Plus (later redesignated as the MSZ-006A1). Because this machine is intended exclusively for use in the atmosphere on Earth, its space flight systems and atmospheric entry features are eliminated. However, its cost-performance ratio and flight capabilities are superior to those of the Zeta Gundam.

Instead of the flying armor used by the Zeta Gundam, the Zeta Plus is equipped with variable geometry wing binders similar to those of the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki. These wing binders improve the flight characteristics of the waverider form, giving it a cruising range of hundreds of kilometers, and in mobile suit form, they can be used for AMBAC maneuvering rather than simply becoming dead weight. The Zeta Plus is also equipped with two beam cannons in the side armor, which are connected directly to its movable frame so that energy supply and fire control can be performed without using the mobile suit's hands.

Armaments

• 60mm Vulcan Gun

Two 60mm vulcan guns are mounted on the sides of the Zeta Plus' head. Having low power but a high rate of fire, they are mainly used to intercept approaching enemies, missiles, etc. Zeta Plus' extended head allows it to carry 80% more ammunition for its vulcans than the Zeta Gundam.

• Thigh Beam Cannon

A pair of beam cannons are mounted on the thighs of the Zeta Plus A1, and are usable in both mobile suit and waverider modes. They are power rated at 2.4 MW.

• Beam Saber

A common close combat weaponry, it use Minovsky particles held in place by an I-Field to form an effective cutting surface that can slice through most material without anti-beam coating. The Zeta Plus A1 has a pair of beam sabers stored within the top of the thigh beam cannons. The beam saber can be used in waverider mode when one of the hands extends out to hold it.

• Shield

A custom shield used by the Zeta Plus A1, it not only protects the mobile suit from physical and beam attacks, but also serve as the nose unit in waverider mode.

• Beam Rifle

A custom, handheld, ranged beam weapon used by Zeta Plus A1, it has the same level of firepower as the original Zeta Gundam's. It is powered by a replaceable e-pac and usable in both mobile suit and waverider modes.

• Beam Rifle~ReZEL's version

As part of the Federation's efforts to standardize equipment, the Zeta Plus A1s still operating in U.C. 0096 had their beam rifle changed to the model used by the RGZ-95 ReZEL. This beam rifle model has the ability to emit a beam blade from its muzzle, allowing it to act as a long beam saber for melee combat.

• Bazooka

Used by the Zeta Plus A1 in the Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative manga, this is the same general purpose bazooka as used by Earth Federation Forces' mobile suits in the mid U.C.0090s. A spare ammunition cartridge is mounted in front of the bazooka's grip, and the weapon is compatible with various types of warhead. The bazooka can be used even in waverider mode when one of the hands extends out to hold it.

History

The first MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1 rolled out in November of U.C. 0087, and the new machines were assigned to Karaba units such as the 18th Tactical Fighter Aggressor Squadron (18TFAS) based aboard the Garuda-class carrier "Audhumla". These machines were painted in gray for low-visibility missions, but had a different rollout color scheme for demonstration purposes. The demonstration colors was also known as "GM coloring" and is a two-tone color of red-orange and white. Rumor has it that one of these colorful machines was used by the legendary ace pilot Amuro Ray in his role as commander of 18TFAS.

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

In U.C. 0096, an unknown number of Zeta Plus A1 remained in service, with some units stationed at certain Earth Federation Forces' ground bases such as the Cheyenne base. During Bright Noa's investigation of said base, two guarding Zeta Plus A1s were immobilized by Tri-Stars Team's RGM-96X Jestas and RGM-96X Jesta Cannon.

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Manga)

In U.C.0097, one Zeta Plus A1 was deployed as part of Side 6's college colony Metis' defense team, alongside a RMS-099 Rick Dias and a pair of RMS-106 Hizacks, in response to the fighting between Zoltan Akkanen's forces and the Earth Federation Forces' Shezarr Unit. Following the destruction of its comrades in battle, the Zeta Plus A1 indiscriminately attacked both Zoltan's forces and the Shezarr Unit to force them to leave the colony. Despite its age, the Zeta Plus A1 defeated at least two Jestas, a AMS-129 Geara Zulu, and even survived the Fair Lady III's combination attack known as the "Circle of Death", but it was damaged in the process. After damaging two of the Fair Lady III's three AMX-009 Dreissens, the Zeta Plus A1 was finally destroyed by Birgitte Knudsen's Dreissen.

Variants

• MSZ-006A1B Zeta Plus A1B
• MSZ-006A2 Ζeta Plus A2
• MSZ-006A3 Zeta Plus A3
• MSZ-006B Ζeta Plus B
• MSZ-006BN Zeta Plus BN

Gallery

Lineart

Front

Rear

MS mode schematics

Waverider mode schematics

Body details

Head details

Leg details

Waverider Mode details

Armaments: Beam Rifle, Thigh Beam Cannon, Beam Saber and Shield

Anime

Stationed at EFF's Cheyenne Base (Gundam UC)

Close Up (Gundam UC)

Rear view (Gundam UC)

Waverider Mode (Gundam UC)

Defeated by Jesta Cannon while in Waverider mode (Gundam UC)

Manga

Close up, with right wing binder damaged (Gundam NT)

Games

B-Rank Zeta Plus in SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online

AR-Rank Zeta Plus A1 (Demonstration Colors) in SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online

In Gundam Battle Operation 2

Gunpla

HGUC 1/144 "MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus (Unicorn Ver.)" (2014): box art

HGUC 1/144 "MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus (Test Image Color)" (Gunpla Expo 2014 exclusive; 2014): box art

HGUC 1/144 "MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus (Test Image Color)" (P-Bandai exclusive; 2020): box art

MG 1/100 "MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1 Test Color" (2001): box art

MG 1/100 "MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus (Unicorn Ver.)" (P-Bandai exclusive; 2016): box art

SDGG MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1 (Amuro Ray Custom) (1999): box art

HGUC 1/144 Zeta Plus A1: sample test shot

HGUC 1/144 Zeta Plus A1: sample test shot for magazine promotion

Zeta Plus variation in Wave Rider Mode (from Model Graphix)

Action Figures

1/144 Gundam Fix Figuration (GFF)

GFF #0017a "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (2003): package front view

GFF #0017a "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (2003): package rear view

GFF #0017a "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (MS mode)

GFF #0017a "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (Waverider mode)

GFF #0017b "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): package front view

GFF #0017b "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): package rear view

GFF #0017b "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (MS mode)

GFF #0017b "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (Waverider mode)

1/100 Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite (GFFMC)

GFFMC #1005 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): package front view

GFFMC #1005 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): package front view

GFFMC #1005 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (MS mode)

GFFMC #1005 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Red)" (2003): Zeta Plus A1 (Waverider mode)

GFFMC #0000 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (Limited release; 2003): package front view

GFFMC #0000 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (Limited release; 2003): package back view

GFFMC #0000 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (Limited release; 2003): Zeta Plus A1 (MS mode)

GFFMC #0000 "Zeta Plus A1 / C1 [Bst] (Blue)" (Limited release; 2003): Zeta Plus A1 (Waverider mode)

Gashapon

Notes & Trivia

• In episode 7 of the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA , the cockpit monitor of a Gustav Karl shows an allied Zeta Plus A1 erroneously as "Zeta Plus C1".
• The orange-red and white rollout color of the Zeta Plus A1 would later be known as Amuro Ray's personal colors, and was carried over to the MSK-008R Rick Dijeh.
• In the Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation 2 game, the Zeta Plus A1 uses the beam rifle of the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki instead of its own custom rifle.
• In the Gundam Narrative manga, the Zeta Plus A1 is called a Gundam by the Fairlady III.

References

Zeta Plus A1/C1 (GFF Metal Composite Ver.): specification

Information from Great Mechanics