The YMS-07A Prototype Gouf (YMS-07A プロトタイプグフ Purototaipu Gufu?) is a mobile suit introduced in the design series Mobile Suit Variation.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
Originally, mobile suit was a space warfare weapon, and its operational efficiency on Earth was very low.[1] For the Earth Invasion campaign which began in March UC 0079, the Zeon forces developed the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type by removing space equipment unnecessary for ground battles and replacing the software, but this was ultimately a stopgap measure.[1] The development of new land warfare MS was a major undertaking, and its development began almost at the same time as the start of J-Type Zaku's production.[1] Under Zeon's First Phase Ground Combat MS Development Plan,[2] two new designs were created and competed against each other, namely the YMS-07A Prototype Gouf by Zeonic, and the YMS-08A High Mobility Test Type by Zimmad.[1]
The Prototype Gouf was developed as an experimental MS to achieve the land combat performance required by the Zeon Army.[3] Despite previous attempts to develop a mobile suit for land combat in Space, the fact that this MS was developed in Zeon's California Base meant that it could be tested on the ground, and the practical data obtained helped shorten the Gouf's development time.[3] The Prototype Gouf was said to be an expanded design of the MS-06 Zaku II, and in fact they shared many parts.[1] Its head design had been modified with a mono-eye sensor that could rotate 360 degrees, and it was equipped with a forehead-mounted antenna for communication with the Dodai YS bomber, a clear indication that cooperation between the two machines was planned from an early stage.[3] Unlike Zaku II, the Prototype Gouf had pauldrons on both shoulders and they featured distinctive bull horn-like design instead of Zaku's conical spikes.[3] In addition, it was equipped with an arm-mounted shield for better protection in close combat.
For testing purpose, the Prototype Gouf retained Zaku II's manipulators, and was not yet equipped with fixed weapons such as finger vulcans or heat rod.[3] Its backpack was equipped with a trio of thruster nozzles and thought to be in the verification stage.[4] Internally, it has the same structure as the Zaku II, but with a new generator for operational testing.[3] Furthermore, the prototype also featured strengthened armor, changed cockpit equipment, and modified leg parts.[3] Although the Prototype Gouf had more armor than the Zaku II, it had better maneuverability than the latter due to thorough weight reduction of parts and improved cooling system functions.[1]
Armaments
- M-120A1 120mm Machine Gun
- The same portable firearm used by the Zaku II. It could switch between semi-automatic and automatic fire. Although ineffective against Luna Titanium Alloy, it could still destroy weaker armor material with multiple shots. It fired 120mm caliber rounds that were stored in a 100-rounds drum magazine.
- H&L-SB25K/280mmA-P Zaku Bazooka
- A portable, physical projectile-type firearm. It was primarily used for anti-ship combat and displayed its power in hit-and-run attacks. It could also be used against enemy mobile suits, but it was harder to hit a constantly moving target.
- Shield
- A defensive armor that could be attached to the Prototype Gouf's left forearm. Its main purpose was to defend in close combat rather than at long range.
History
The YMS-07A Prototype Gouf was completed on March 13, UC 0079 in time for the First Phase Ground Combat MS Development Plan,[2] with several prototypes produced for testing the effectiveness of new features including strengthened body armor, generator and operation system.[3] After Zeonic won the competition and with the development of the eventual MS-07B Gouf completed, the YMS-07A prototypes were used as test bases for further new models, including three units used in the development of MS-07H Gouf Flight Test Type,[4] while other units were armed and deployed to the battlefield.[3]
Immediately after completion of the MS-07 Gouf, rollout of the first production type began, with the third prototype unit, the YMS-07B with fixed armaments,[4] assigned to Cpt. Ramba Ral's corps in October UC 0079.[5][3] As such, the specifications of the mass-produced MS-07B Gouf were officially confirmed.[3][4] On the other hand, the YMS-07A, which was not equipped with fixed armaments, were also mass-produced as MS-07A Gouf in limited numbers, and they were deployed to the Zeon’s Earth Resource Mining Division and other units such as the Midnight Fenrir Corps to participate in actual combats.[3][6] It could be said the stance and features of MS-07A were inherited from the Prototype Gouf.[3]
Gallery
Linearts
Games
Fan Art
Gunpla
References
The Official Gundam Perfect File
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 (June 2000) 機動戦士ガンダム MSV コレクションファイル [地球編] (in Japanese). 講談社, 95. ISBN 9784063465518.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 (December 2011) ガンダム パーフェクト・ファイル No.14 (in Japanese). デアゴスティーニ, 20A. ISBN 4910205620124.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 (October 2011) 双葉社MOOK グレートメカニック・スペシャル モビルスーツ全集4 MS07/09グフ&ドムBOOK (in Japanese). 双葉社, 42. ISBN 9784575464610.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 (May 2019) 双葉社MOOK グレートメカニック・スペシャル モビルスーツ全集13 ジオン陸戦モビルスーツ&兵器BOOK (in Japanese). 双葉社, 29. ISBN 9784575465150.
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 12, The Threat of Zeon
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front