MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type)

Template:Infobox/Mobile Weapon Ver.2The MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type) is a variant of the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, originally featured in the 1/144 High Grade MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam model kit instruction manual and latter included in the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define manga.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The Wave Shooter Equipment is a draft plan to increase the Zeta Gundam's air combat capability. It uses the FXA-01K flying armor, which adds thermonuclear jet engines, making flight within the Earth's atmosphere possible by producing enormous thrust. It also features variable-sweep wings that improve takeoff and landing performance, cruising range, and low altitude flight. Also, the front skirt has been enlarged to increase propellant capacity.

Otherwise, all the regular armaments and systems of the Zeta Gundam are retained.

History

According to the Master Archive Mobile Suit MSZ-006 Z Gundam, this variant appeared around November U.C 0087, during the time when the Zeta Gundam was in Karaba possession (between the assault on Kilimanjaro and Char Aznable's speech in Dakar). Two sets of Flying Armor was tested during this period: The FXA-01K Wave Shooter, constructed based on data supplied by Anaheim, and the variable geometry of the FXA-01K-VW that apparently inspired for the wing design of the MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1. The latter showed good results during test flights, but was never used in combat.

In the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define manga, Kamille piloted the unit when he engaged the mobile suits of the Garuda-class Sudori. When the said aircraft attempted a kamikaze on the Audhumla, Four Murasame sacrificed herself to prevent it by crashing the MRX-009 Psyco Gundam into the Sudori.

Gallery

Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type): illustration by Hajime Katoki

Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type; MS Mode): illustration by by Kyoshi Takigawa

Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type; Waverider Mode): illustration by by Kyoshi Takigawa

Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type) as seen on Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Define

Fan Art

Fan's re-coloring of original Katoki's artwork

Gunpla

1/144 HG "MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam" (1990): box art by Yuji Kaida

1/144 HGUC "MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter)" (P-Bandai exclusive; 2017): box art

Notes and Trivia

• The Wave Shooter equipment was originally created because replicating the rotation of Zeta Gundam's wing binders in a transforming kit was beyond the capabilities of plastic models at the time, so Bandai borrowed ideas from their previous Gundam Sentinel MSZ-006C1 Ζeta Plus C1 kit, whose wings were more manageable.

References

Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type): illustration and specifications from 1/144 HG "MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam" (1990) by Kunio Okawara

External links

• MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam (Wave Shooter Equipment Type) on MAHQ