The YFX-M56S Core Splendor is a transformable fighter craft introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. It was modified into the YFX-M56E Core Splendor for the movie Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The main module of ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam's modular design, the YFX-M56S Core Splendor's primary role is to serve as the cockpit of the Impulse Gundam. However, it can also transform into a fighter craft to provide tactical flexibility or as an escape system when the suit is badly damaged. It is armed with two nose-mounted MMI-GAU19 20mm machine guns, and two wing-mounted QF908 6-tube anti-air missile launchers that are loaded with several AGM33 "Ladybird" guided missiles, and although these are light armaments, they can nevertheless cause moderate damage to enemy units. The missile launchers will detach and return to the LHM-BB01 Minerva when the Core Splendor is docking with other modules to form the Impulse Gundam. Sometime between the end of the Second Alliance-PLANT War and the outbreak of the Foundation Conflict in C.E.75, the Core Splendor was given a new model number and color scheme, becoming the YFX-M56E Core Splendor.[1][2] This Core Splendor was used by the ZGMF-56E2 Impulse Gundam Spec II.[1][2]
Armaments[]
- MMI-GAU19 20mm Machine Gun
- Built into the nose cone, the pair of 20mm machine guns are weak, rapid-fire weapons that can destroy lightly armored targets or restrict enemy movement. They can also destroy unarmored parts of a mobile suit, such as the thrusters.[3]
- QF908 6-tube Anti-Air Missile Launcher
- Two anti-air missile launchers are mounted under the wings, and they are loaded with AGM33 "Ladybird" Guided Missiles.[4] When docking to form the Impulse Gundam, the missile launchers detach and return to the Minerva.
History[]
Development[]
When ZAFT created the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, they built the mobile suit as a modular unit, capable of splitting into three different modules. The cockpit of the suit was located in the YFX-M56S Core Splendor, a fighter craft which could operate on its own and serve as an escape system. This Core Splendor system was first tested on the ZGMF-X101S ZAKU Splendor. The new battleship LHM-BB01 Minerva was outfitted with a unique catapult to launch the Core Splendor as well as the other modules of the Impulse. At least two Core Splendors were produced by ZAFT.
Combat Record[]
The Core Splendor saw its combat debut on October 2, CE 73, when Shinn Asuka used its missiles to briefly attack the stolen ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam before combining with the other modules to form the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam.[4] After this, the Core Splendor was mainly deployed as part of the Impulse, and rarely operated on its own. In one such rare instances, the Core Splendor was used to fly through a cave system in the Gulnahan Ravine for a surprise attack on an Earth Alliance base.[5]
Another notable instance was during Impulse's battle with the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam. During the fight, the Impulse's head and arm were damaged by Freedom, so Shinn disassembled the Impulse and flew the Core Splendor and damaged Chest Flyer towards the Freedom. As the Chest Flyer collided with the Freedom, Shinn fired the Core Splendor's machine guns to destroy the module and distract the Freedom long enough for him to connect with another Chest Flyer and reassemble the Impulse.[3] When Shinn switched to the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam, the Impulse and its Core Splendor was handed down to Lunamaria Hawke.[6]
Another Core Splendor was piloted by Courtney Hieronymus during the Battle of Messiah, before combining with other modules into the ZGMF-X56S/θ Destiny Impulse Gundam Unit 03.[7]
Foundation Conflict[]
In CE 75, it was revealed that Lunamaria's Impulse was covertly upgraded into the ZGMF-56E2 Impulse Gundam Spec II by Erica Simmons and stored in a secret underground hangar located in Orb Union's Akatsuki Island. As part of this upgrade, the Core Splendor gained a darker color scheme and a new model number, YFX-M56E. The Impulse Gundam Spec II was then loaded onto the LHM-BB03S Millennium to confront the Kingdom of Foundation's forces in space. During the ensuing battle, Lunamaria launched directly in the Impulse Gundam Spec II, as the Millennium did not have a dedicated catapult for the Core Splendor.[1]
Gallery[]
Linearts[]
Animation[]
Gundam SEED Destiny[]
.png "Core Splendor in Hangar 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep01).png (3.7 MB)")
.png "Core Splendor Side View 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep01).png (3.63 MB)")
_YFX-M56S_Core_Splendor_Preparing_For_Launch.png "MSGSD (Remastered) YFX-M56S Core Splendor Preparing For Launch.png (1.47 MB)")
.png "Core Splendor Front 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep34).png (2.49 MB)")
.png "Core Splendor Machine Guns Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep34).png (1.99 MB)")
.png "Core Splendor Undergoing Maintenance 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep38).png (5 MB)")
Gundam SEED Freedom[]
Games[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- Given its usage, function, and name, it is likely that the Core Splendor is inspired by the FF-X7 Core Fighter from Mobile Suit Gundam.
Appearances[]
- Television Series
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
- PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
- First Appearance
- PHASE-18, Attack the Lohengrin!
- PHASE-34, Nightmare
- PHASE-38, A New Flag
- PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 RG 1/144 ZGMF-56E2/α Force Impulse Gundam Spec II model kit manual
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-34, Nightmare
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-01, Angry Eyes
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-18, Attack the Lohengrin!
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-38, A New Flag
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny MSV Field 03: The Vicinity of Messiah (Chinese translation)
External links[]