View source for RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron)

{{Infobox/Mobile Weapon
|image=GTO Guncannon First Type.png;Standard
GTO Guncannon First Type Commander.png;Commander
|kanji=RCX-76-02 ガンキャノン 最初期型（鉄騎兵中隊）
|production=Mass Production
|type=Suit
|transformable=No
|unitType=Main Battle Tank/Mass Produced-Mobile Suit
|archetype=RCX-76-01A Guncannon Mobility Test Type, RCX-76-01B Guncannon Firepower Test Type
|first=0078
|era=Universal Century
|series=Mobile Suit Discovery, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (Manga)~49,  Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin~4, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Advent of the Red Comet~7
|mechdesigner=Kunio Okawara, Hajime Katoki
|developer=Tem Ray (Origin)
|manufacturer=Anaheim Electronics (Origin)
|producedUnits=12
|operator=Iron Cavalry Squadron
|pilot=Erdush
|headheight=17
|width=8.1
|standardEquipment=2 × Manipulator
|fixedArmaments=2 × 60mm Vulcan Gun
Low Recoil Cannon
Gatling Gun
|handheldArmaments=Rifle
Shield
|optionalFixedArmaments=Missile Launcher
}}
The {{nihongo|'''RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron)'''|RCX-76-02 ガンキャノン 最初期型（鉄騎兵中隊）}} is a mass-produced [[mobile suit]] featured in the ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (Manga)|Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin]]'' manga, [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin|its OVA adaptation]], [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Advent of the Red Comet|the television recut]] and the ''[[Mobile Suit Discovery]]'' design series. It was developed from the [[RCX-76-01A Guncannon Mobility Test Type]] and [[RCX-76-01B Guncannon Firepower Test Type]] <ref name="MSD Chart 1"/>. As a successor to the [[RTX-65 Guntank Early Type]], it was categorized by the [[Earth Federation (Origin)|Earth Federation]] as a Main Battle Tank <ref name="en-mechanical-0400-04" />. It was used by the [[Iron Cavalry Squadron]], which functioned as a squadron made up of four teams, each consisting of three machines <ref name="en-mechanical-0400-05" />, thus 12 units were produced designated 101 to 112. 101 possessed a distinct color scheme, as it was piloted by the squadron's commander, Lieutenant Junior Grade [[Erdush]] <ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" />.

==Technology & Combat Characteristics==
Although developed from the Guntank Early type as a new type of MBT, it differed strongly in its functional concept. The Guntank Early Type placed little emphasis on mobility, and its main mission was long-range bombardment with its large-caliber cannons. Since the Guncannon First Type was intended for infantry-style operation, it had more versatile armament as well as better mobility <ref name="en-mechanical-0400-05" />.

Its specifications were decided based on evaluation tests using the RCX-76-01A Guncannon Mobility Test Type and RCX-76-01B Guncannon Firepower Test Type <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p1"/>. In addition to the long-range bombardment capabilities of the Guntank Early Type, it also emphasized bombardment from medium range, and it was designed so that its equipment could be changed depending on the mission and the team organization <ref name="en-mechanical-0400-05" />. The Guncannon First Type had an armament platform on its shoulders, and was equipped with medium to long-range firearms. Its three-fingered manipulators carried a rifle and shield, but were not outfitted with close combat weapons that would have maximized its humanoid features <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

The specifications thus lacked balance compared to Zeon's mobile suits, which were created with an emphasis on versatility. This was because the AE development team and the upper echelon of the [[Earth Federation Space Force (Origin)|Earth Federation Space Force]]. regarded the humanoid mobile weapon as an extension of large-scale combat vehicles. This was a "large mistake", as they later realized at the [[Battle of Mare Smythii]] <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

==Equipment==
===Manipulator===
The manipulators of the First Type did not envision close combat, so they were simplified to having three fingers <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2" />.

==Armaments==
===60mm Vulcan Gun===
Guns attached to both sides of the head that shot live rounds. They were frequently used not only in ground attacks but also in close combat in battles against other mobile suits as a means of containment <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2" />.

===Rifle===
A weapon for the mobile suit that shot live rounds. A metal fitting was attached to the breech to clasp the upper arm <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

===Low Recoil Cannon===
The Guncannon's main armament mounted on its left shoulder. The recoil from firing the cannon was lessened more than the large-diameter cannon of the RTX-65 Guntank Early Type <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

===Gatling Gun===
A firearm for ground attacks that utilized live rounds. The Gatling gun and Low Recoil Cannon could be attached to either shoulder <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

===Missile Launcher===
An armament attached to the shoulder that shot missiles. They were mounted on mobile suits VB111 and VB112 in the Iron Cavalry Squadron <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/><ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" />.

===Shield===
Protective gear for the mobile suit. A mount-latch for the upper arm and a grip for the manipulator to grasp was attached on its rear face <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

==Variants==
===Commander===
Lieutenant Junior Grade Erdush's machine had been given distinctive markings to differentiate it from the standard type and make it easier to identify as a squadron commander's unit <ref name="en-mechanical-0400-04" />.

==History==
[[Anaheim Electronics (Origin)|Anaheim Electronics]], which had been keeping a close eye on the [[Autonomous Republic of Zeon]]'s development of a new weapon, invited [[Tem Ray (Origin)|Dr. Tem Ray]], a personal pupil of [[Torenov Y. Minovsky|Dr. Minovsky]] to launch an in-house development of a humanoid mobile weapon. The RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type was developed at AE's [[Von Braun (Origin)|Von Braun]] plant, and was the first humanoid mobile weapon formally adopted by the Earth Federation Space Force <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2"/>.

===U.C. 0078: Battle of Mare Smythii===
<gallery type="slideshow" hideaddbutton="true">
GTO IC Guncannon head.jpg|Head close-up
GTO Iron Cavalry 1.png|Deploying from Pizarro-class transport
Gundam Origin Ep. 4 Iron Calvary.png|Squadron Commander's unit to the left
GTO Iron Cavalry 2.png|Commander unit close-up
GTO Iron Cavalry 3.png|Commander unit preparing to fire
GTO Iron Cavalry 4.png|Firing cannon
GTO Iron Cavalry 5.png
GTO Iron Cavalry 6.png|Units 111 and 112, equipped with missile launchers
GTO Iron Cavalry 7.png|Firing missiles
GTO IC Guncannon Gatling.jpg|Firing Gatling gun
</gallery>
Knowing that Zeon had mobile suits on the [[Moon (Origin)|moon]], a commander ordered the deployment of the entire Iron Cavalry Squadron which outnumbered the 4 Zeon suits they detected. Dr. Ray requested to come a long so he could see the Guncannons in action with his own two eyes <ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" />. A nerve-wrecking alarm pierced through the hangar of the Earth Federation's [[Pizarro-class|''Pizarro''-class]] Mobile Transport Ship as it rushed to the Mare Smythii on the surface of the moon. Soldiers in pilot suits dashed into the bellies of the moon-gray squadron Guncannon First Types in a well-trained manner. The hangar was jacked up, and a sharp glint lit up in the head visors <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p3" />.

The ''Pizarro''-class deployed its twelve RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Types led by Erdush, with the objective to protect Dr. Minovsky's buggy. Confident of scoring the Squadron's first victory <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p3" />, Erdush's Guncannon and Guncannons VB102 through to VB107 fired their cannons at the [[MS-04 Bugu]] and the [[Black Tri-Stars (Origin)|Black Tri-Stars]]. Unfortunately, the four targets leap out of the explosions undamaged. The Bugu dealt heavy damage to Erdush's Guncannon's chest with his main gun and then kicked it over. [[Miguel Gaia|Gaia]] laughed as he destroyed Guncannon VB107. [[Mash (Origin)|Mash]] then destroyed Guncannon VB105 with only a single shot from his [[MS-05 Zaku I ［Black Tri-Stars］|Zaku I's]] Bazooka and then [[Ortega (Origin)|Ortega]] destroyed Guncannon VB106. [[Ramba Ral (Origin)|Captain Ral]] commended the Black Tri-Stars for showing the "Federation Scumbags" what "real mobile suits" could do but noticed the buggy approaching Guncannons VB111 and VB112. He fired shots from his machine gun at the buggy while the two Guncannons returned fire from their Missile Launchers <ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" />.

Seeing the destroyed Guncannons, Dr. Ray was in awe at how far Zeonic have advanced. The captain of the ''Pizarro''-class mobile transport ship ordered a recall of the Guncannons but lost his voice when [[MS-05 Zaku I (Char Aznable)|a red shadow]] loomed into view in front of the ship <ref name="HG 1/144 MS-05 Char Aznable p1" />. Ortega bludgeoned Guncannon VB102's head with his Zaku I's heat hawk, declaring the Guncannons to not be mobile suits but playthings. Gaia brushed off a shot from Guncannon VB104 like nothing and bended his Zaku I over for Mash to stand upon and deal the final blow with a bazooka. The injured Erdush climbed out of his cockpit with a cracked helmet to see Ortega bludgeoning a Guncannon and collapsed. Captain Ral turned his Bugu around to see Gaia's Zaku I chasing an armless Guncannon VB103 and ordered him to let the Guncannon go, Gaia ignored the order and sliced the Guncannon's backpack reactor, causing it to fall on Dr. Minovsky <ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" />.

Sometime later, at AE, Dr. Ray presented footage of the battle where the RCX-76 squadron they delivered were annihilated by merely five mobile suits, making the score 12 to 0 ― a complete shutout. Anaheim officials believed Dr. Ray, who was part of the project, was as much to blame. Dr. Ray agreed and used tragedy to his advantage in urging the management to advance the development of the [[RX-78-02 Gundam|RX-78]] <ref name="MSG ORIGIN4" /><ref name="MSGTO50" />.

==Gallery==
<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
ms_modal_unit_tog_04.png|From Gundam Diorama Front 3rd patch.
HGGTO-Guncannon-Iron-Cavalry-Squadron-boxart.jpg|[[High Grade Gundam The Origin|HGGTO]] 1/144 RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron) (2016) - Box art
HG_Guncannon_First_Type_(Iron_Cavalry_Squadron_Commander).jpg|HGGTO  1/144 RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander) (2016) - Box art
</gallery>

==Notes & Trivia==
*Its kit was the first in the [[High Grade Gundam The Origin]] line to have official English translations in its manual <ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p3" />.

==References==
<references>
<!--Media-->
{{ref|MSG ORIGIN|4}}
{{ref|MSGTO|50}}

<!--Gunpla-->
<ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p1">{{Cite book|url=https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10413724/50/1|title=HG 1/144 RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron) Manual|publisher=Bandai|year=2016|month=November|page=p. 1|id=JAN 4573102606563}}</ref>
<ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p2">{{Cite book|url=https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10413724/50/2|title=HG 1/144 RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron) Manual|publisher=Bandai|year=2016|month=November|page=p. 2|id=JAN 4573102606563}}</ref>
<ref name="HG 1/144 RCX-02 p3">{{Cite book|url=https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10413724/50/3|title=HG 1/144 RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron) Manual|publisher=Bandai|year=2016|month=November|page=p. 3|id=JAN 4573102606563}}</ref>
<ref name="HG 1/144 MS-05 Char Aznable p1">{{Cite book|title=HG 1/144 MS-05 Zaku I (Char Aznable) Manual|url=https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10444044/20/9|publisher=Bandai|month=March|year=2017|page=p. 1|id=JAN 4573102577375}}</ref>

<!--Webpages-->
<ref name="en-mechanical-0400-04">{{Cite web|url=http://gundam-the-origin.net/en/mechanical/0400.html#04|title=MECHANICAL｜MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN|accessdate=2020-12-16|quote=Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander)}}</ref>
<ref name="en-mechanical-0400-05">{{Cite web|url=http://gundam-the-origin.net/en/mechanical/0400.html#05|title=MECHANICAL｜MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN|accessdate=2020-12-16|quote=Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron)}}</ref>
<ref name="MSD Chart 1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gundam-the-origin.net/msd/|title=MSD（Mobile Suit Discovery）｜機動戦士ガンダム THE ORIGIN 公式サイト|accessdate=2021-03-07|quote=地球連邦軍MS開発の流れ|language=Japanese}}</ref>
</references>

==External Links==
*[[w:c:gunpla:category:RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron)|Model Kits of the RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron) on Gunplapedia]]
*[[w:c:gunpla:category:RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander)|Model Kits of the RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type (Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander) on Gunplapedia]]

{{MechaNavBox|Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin,Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (Manga),Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin MSD: Cucuruz Doan's Island,Mobile Suit Discovery|Title=[[Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin]] Mechanics}}{{Project|The Origin}}