RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel]

RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel]
RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] (RX-121 ガンダムTR-1［ヘイズル］)
Unit Type
Prototype Multi-Mode Mobile Suit
Profile
Developed from	RGM-79Q GM Quel ［Early Hazel］ RGM-79Q GM Quel ［Hazel Reserve Unit］
Developed Into	RX-124 Gundam TR-6 ［Hazel II］ RX-178 Gundam Mk-II
Variants	RX-121-1 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom] RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 ［Hazel II］
First Seen	0084 U.C.
Manufacturer	Konpeitoh Arsenal
Operator	Titans Test Team (Black Otter Team)
Known Pilots	Wes Murphy
General Characteristics
Overall Height	18.1 meters59.383 ft <br />712.598 in <br />
Max Weight	63.0 metric tons
Empty Weight	41.5 metric tons
Power-plant	Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor
Power Output	1420 kW1,904.251 hp <br />
Pilot Accommodations	Pilot only (in standard cockpit in torso)
Armor	Titanium Alloy Ceramic Composite Luna Titanium Alloy
Equipment
Standard	2-3 x Shield Booster
Standard Armaments
Fixed	Beam Saber
Handheld	XBR-M84a Beam Rifle Shield
Optional Armaments
Fixed	Vulcan Pod Shield Booster Multi-Purpose Launcher
Real World
Mechanical Designer	Kenki Fujioka
Appearances*
Manga	AoZ: FoT

The RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] is a Mobile Suit featured in the photo-novel and manga Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans.

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] was developed by the Titans at the Confeito Arsenal in U.C. 0084 to test and evaluate the latest mobile suit technologies. As the first prototype of the "TR Project", it served as an early stepping stone toward the creation of decisive weapon, the Gundam Inle. It was also designed as a prototype for a highly expandable mobile suit that would eventually form the core of the Inle. Based on a modified version of the high-performance GM Quel—sometimes referred to as the Early Hazel—the unit was officially designated as a "Gundam" and possessed performance that justified the title. However, some sources note that it only truly earned the name "Gundam" after being upgraded into the Hazel Custom.

The unit was also designed to assess the psychological impact its presence would have on both allies and enemies—particularly Zeon Remnants—by featuring a head unit modeled after the legendary Gundam of the One Year War, and was intended to influence the morale of surrounding forces and alter the dynamics of the battlefield itself. Because of this, the TR-1 [Hazel] is said to challenge the very definition of what it means to be a "Gundam."

The GM Quel was chosen as the base machine for its proven reliability and high compatibility. This decision significantly reduced the development time, while the addition of reinforced components across various sections resulted in performance levels on par with the newest mobile suits of the era. Despite its enhanced capabilities, the unit's handling characteristics differ greatly from the original GM Quel, requiring advanced piloting skills to operate it at full potential. Additionally, its modular design allows for the installation and replacement of optional parts, enabling it to adapt to a wide range of missions.

The head unit has been replaced with a Gundam-type design, featuring dual sensors and a distinctive V-shaped multi-blade antenna. Sensor performance has been significantly enhanced, with additional sensors installed around the top of the head to ensure full situational awareness, particularly in assault mode. Due to space limitations, the built-in 60mm Vulcan cannon typically mounted in the head has been omitted. However, the unit can be equipped with a Vulcan pod system of the same type used by the Gundam Mk-II, The chest section, which connects the torso to the backpack, has been replaced with auxiliary actuator units. This upgrade enhances the mobility and strength of the shoulder joints. Originally, this section on the GM Quel housed a composite intake duct, so the modification results in a slight decrease in exhaust efficiency. However, the redesigned interior now serves as a multi-purpose compartment.

The legs have been upgraded with reinforced components that incorporate thermonuclear rocket engines with high thrust output. Unlike most mobile suits, which typically only feature rear-mounted thrusters, this unit also includes forward-facing knee thrusters to enable braking via reverse thrust. Propellant tanks are integrated into both legs. Additionally, the ankle joint actuators have been reinforced to support the added weight of optional weaponry. The ankle joints themselves have been enlarged, providing additional protection.

A movable Booster Pod is mounted to the newly replaced backpack, connected via an articulated arm that allows it to function both as an AMBAC unit and a vectored thruster, The pod is equipped with a prototype hybrid thermonuclear fusion reactor, which serves as both a thermonuclear jet engine and a power generator. In atmospheric conditions, the front shutter of the engine opens to act as an air intake, while a sub-thruster is built into the lower hatch. A mount latch on the top of the pod allows for the attachment of a Shield Booster. To improve propulsion and defense, the rear armor has been upgraded with a refined version of the Chobham armor used on the Gundam NT-1. The internal components of the new reactor—common across the TR-series—are classified as “TOP SECRET,” and their exact specifications remain undisclosed.

Armaments

• Vulcan Pod

Although the TR-1 [Hazel] does not have vulcan guns installed in its head due to space limitations, it can be outfitted with an external vulcan pod. The vulcan pod has an asymmetrical design, its left side houses two 60mm vulcan guns that fire alternately, while its right side houses the counter weight and the vulcan guns' magazine

• Beam saber

The standard close combat armament for Earth Federation mobile suits, it is a small cylindrical device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-field and is capable of cutting through any metal alloy. The RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] stores one in the right side of the backpack.

• XBR-M84a Beam Rifle

The XBR-M84a Beam Rifle is an experimental weapon developed by Blash, featuring a trial implementation of the E-pack system. Due to the high energy consumption in rapid-fire mode, the rifle is equipped with dual E-packs. Multiple configurations were tested, including short-barrel and long-barrel variants—each designed for ease of handling in close-quarters combat. An improved version of this beam rifle would later be adopted for use by the Gundam Mk-II. Spare E-packs are stored via holders mounted on the waist and forearm, attached to latches. Even after the E-packs are removed, the holders continue to function as a form of supplemental armor.

• Multi-Purpose Launchers

Multi-purpose launchers are primarily installed within the multi-purpose compartment of the chest auxiliary actuator unit. When deployed, it unfolds into a twin grenade launcher configuration. Depending on mission requirements, the launcher can fire a variety of munitions, including grenades, smoke rounds, etc. When an externally mounted Vulcan pod is installed on the head to compensate for the omission of the built-in Vulcan cannons, the multi-purpose compartment remains empty. This ensures proper clearance and prevents any interference with the operation of the Vulcan pod.

• Shield

The same type of shield used by the GM Quel.

Special Equipment & Features

• Dual Shield Booster

Two Shield Boosters are attached to both arms of the Gundam TR-1 [Hazel], which contains propellant tanks and a single thruster with an output of 22,000 kg. This device is a further evolution of the sturm boosters (a device which contains thrusters for increasing propulsion purposes) used by earlier mobile suits, but unlike its ancestors the shield booster is retained as a shield after its propellant supply is exhausted, rather than being discarded when empty.

Configurations

• RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] Full Armor Form

Like the RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1 developed during the One Year War, the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] is designed to use a Full Armor system. The Hazel is based on the RGM-79Q GM Quel, with enhancement parts added to each section to give it the high performance of a Gundam-type mobile suit. Of these enhancement parts, the "white parts" of the backpack, rear skirt armor, and leg sections are fixed in place, and only the armor on the front of its torso constitutes a detachable Full Armor system. When this detachable bulletproof armor is installed on the front of its torso, the armor damaged in battle can be easily replaced, which is an advantage in terms of maintenance. However, since the extra armor also increases the machine's weight, it has the drawback of impairing the Hazel's maneuverability.

• RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] High Mobility Form

The High Mobility Form of the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] is equipped with a total of three shield boosters, one on each arm and one on the movable booster pod attached to its enhancement backpack. When equipped with all its options, including the Full Armor system and the shield boosters, this is also known as the "Final Form." By orienting the thrusters of its three shield boosters in the same direction for maximum acceleration, it can achieve speeds comparable to those of a mobile armor. Holding grips designed specifically for this High Mobility Form can be installed in the shoulders of the [Hazel], and it can grasp them to fix its arms in position for stable cruising. This High Mobility Form and its concept of orienting the thrusters in a single direction would have a significant influence on the later development of transformable mobile suits by the Titans.

History

The Hazel would be used by the Titans Test Team, also known as the "Blue Otter Team," a year after the end of the Delaz Conflict.

Variants

• RX-121-1 Gundam TR-1 ［Hazel Custom］
• RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 ［Hazel II］

Picture Gallery

Head Views

Development lineage

Shield Booster

Boost Pod

Auxiliary actuator units

Multi-purpose launchers

Unknown 'messala' hazel variant

SD RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] as it appears in SD Gundam G Generation Overworld

SD RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] Full Armor Form as it appears in SD Gundam G Generation Overworld

TR-1 Hazel marking

Full Armor Hazel marking

Gunpla

RX-121-5 Gundam TR-5 (Dengeki Hazel; non-canon)

Action Figures

Mobile Suit in Action (MSiA / MIA) "RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [HAZEL]" (2007): package front view

Notes and Trivia

• The Hazel's name is derived from the character "Hazel" (fictional rabbit character from Watership Down).

References

RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] / RX-121-1 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom]: T3 Colors and information (from "Master Archive Mobile Suit RGM-79 GM Volume 2"; Softback Creative; 2015)

RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] / RX-121-1 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom]: Titans Colors and information ("Master Archive Mobile Suit RGM-79 GM Volume 2")