Zaku Machine Gun is the colloquial name for a series of mobile suit firearms primarily used by the Principality of Zeon's MS-05 Zaku I and MS-06 Zaku II lines of mobile suits. The most common and well-known model of Zaku Machine Gun was the M-120A1 (ZMC38III) 120mm machine gun.
Variants[]
ZXM-1[]
The ZXM-1 was a 100mm machine gun developed by Zeonic for the MS-04 Prototype Zaku, based on an existing 100mm cannon. It adopted a drum magazine, a feature that future Zaku Machine Gun models would inherit. However, its performance in certain aspects, such as operability and reliability, were unsatisfactory.[1][2] In addition, during simulation, it was pointed out that its effectiveness in anti-ship combat was limited, leading to the development of larger caliber weapons, such as bazookas.[3] Unlike future models, the ZXM-1 did not feature an electric motor.[2]
ZMP-47D[]
Having learned from the development of the ZXM-1, Zeonic engineers developed the ZMP-47D, the first production model Zaku machine gun and the primary weapon of the MS-05B Zaku I.[1][2] Initially, it was a 105mm caliber machine gun, which was thought to be sufficient. However, it was later pointed out that the 105mm rounds were still not powerful enough, so it was upgraded to 120mm caliber prior to the start of the One Year War. 120mm would become the primary caliber of Zeon mobile suit firearms for the war.[1]
Its drum magazine held 145 rounds.[1]
M-120A1 / ZMC38III[]
Synonymous with the term "Zaku machine gun", the M-120A1 was a 120mm machine gun developed for the MS-06 Zaku II series. It was the most produced mobile suit weapon, with more than 15,000 total units produced, including variants and minor changes. M-120A1 was its official designation by the Principality of Zeon, while ZMC38III was the in-house development codename used by Zeonic's firearms development division. Compared to the ZMP-47D, the drum magazine was moved from the side to the top for improved operability.[1][4]
The large optical scope on its side was designed with consideration for Minovsky particle interference. Rather than looking through the scope, it was laser-linked with the Zaku's monoeye for improved firing accuracy. The laser link could be maintained as long as the rifle was placed in front of the Zaku's head, and the rifle could be fired even without the laser link.[5]
Its drum held 145 rounds.[1] Its rate of fire was 280 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 4,200m on the ground when using the laser-linked scope. It could fire a large variety of rounds, including APHE rounds, anti-ship AP rounds, shaped charge rounds, smoke rounds, signal rounds, flare rounds, and tracer rounds.[5]
Rounds[]
- Armor-Piercing Shell Ap-3
- An Armor-Piercing Capped (APC) shell using soft metal for its cap. Also known as "Type 73". It was developed for the Zaku machine gun based on shells used by armored vehicles, in parallel with the Zaku itself. Due to its high versatility, it was widely used.[5]
- Anti-Ship Armor-Piercing Shell St-4
- An Armor-Piercing Composite Rigid (APCR) shell designed to be used against armored space vessels. Also known as "Type 75". Though it was larger than the Ap-3, its mass was smaller, allowing it to be fired at a higher velocity. It has a much higher penetration than the Ap-3, and since it was primarily used in space, the greatest weakness of APCR shells - low velocity over long distances in the atmosphere - is not a problem.[5]
- Shaped Charge Explosive Shell Ht-3
- An anti-tank explosive shell for use against terrestrial combat vehicles. Also known as "Type 79". As its name suggested, it was developed after the Ap-3 and the St-4, since Zeon initially expected to win the war early with its initial blitzkrieg attacks. When used against large targets such as space vessels, the Zaku machine gun is usually fired automatically. However, the Ht-3 is mostly fired in short bursts or single shots.[5]
ZMP-50D[]
The ZMP-50D was nearly identical to the M-120A1. The only differences were its drum magazine being shifted to the right side and a differently shaped foregrip. It was widely used in the Far Eastern Front by the MS-06JC Zaku II and other Zeon mobile suits.[6]
M-120AS[]
A variant of the Zaku machine gun developed for combat in desert areas. While maintaining the basic structure of the M-120A1, its barrel and stock were shortened, and the optical sight was removed. The clearance in its mechanism was also increased to the design limit to prevent sand and dust from interfering with its operation. Because of these changes, the accuracy of the M-120AS was reduced. However, it boasted incredible reliability, and there were veteran pilots who preferred this model even outside desert environment.[1]
This machine gun was primarily used by the MS-06D Zaku Desert Type and the MS-06D Desert Zaku.[7][8] A long barrel variant of the machine gun was produced alongside the late production model Zaku Desert Type.[9]
According to two accounts, its drum magazine held either 800 rounds[8] or 145 rounds.[1]
M-120AC[]
A custom machine gun equipped with a heat sword bayonet. For better ease of handling, the stock was changed to a grip. This weapon was only used by a small number of ace pilots, such as the MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type piloted by Mash and Johnny Ridden.[10]
MMP-78[]
The MMP-78 was a late production model Zaku Machine Gun. This was the primary weapon of the MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type. For increased maintainability on the field, it was structured so that all of its parts could be swapped out.[11] In addition to the usual 120mm drum magazine, it could be loaded with a vertical magazine for anti-air shells. It could also be fitted with an underslung grenade launcher.[12] Its drum magazine held 100 rounds.[13]
A variant of the MMP-78 known as the Middle Type was the primary weapon of the MS-06G Zaku II High Mobility Ground Type. Compared to the MMP-78 Early Type, it featured the addition of a barrel jacket and a handguard.[14]
Another variant was the MMP-78/WG, a wide grip variant that had its grip and trigger guard enlarged for use by the MS-09 Dom and the MS-09R Rick Dom. Like the Late Type, this variant could be equipped with a grenade launcher.[15]
MMP-80[]
The primary weapon of the MS-06FZ Zaku II Kai. Compared to previous models, the MMP-80's form and mechanism were completely redesigned, and the precision of its sight was increased.[16] It was a 90mm caliber machine gun with a box magazine that held 32 rounds. A folding stock was located on its rear[17]
Though it was designed for the Zaku II Kai, the universalization of manipulators enabled other mobile suits that integrated the United Maintenance Plan to use it.[18] At least two variants of the MMP-80 existed: the Early Type and the Late Type. The Late Type featured a mounting point for an underslung grenade launcher.[13]
Zaku Machine Gun Kai[]
Created by the Earth Federation Forces following the One Year War, the Zaku Machine Gun's basic design was the same as Zeon's MMP series 120mm machine guns.[19] Its side scope, however, adopted a Federation-spec optical sensor, and it was noted to be more accurate than Zeon-made machine guns.[20] It was the primary weapon of the RMS-106 Hizack.
Behind the Scenes[]
Despite resembling the version of the Zaku Machine Gun seen in the Mobile Suit Gundam TV series, the ZMP-50D was actually a Gunpla-original weapon introduced in the Master Grade MS-06S Zaku II model kit released in 1995, designed by Kunio Okawara. The design of the Zaku Machine Gun was changed because the original design would interfere with the model's chest.
When Okawara designed the MS-06JC Zaku II for Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, he based it on his artwork for the Master Grade Zaku, hence why the Zaku Machine Gun appearing in the OVA were all ZMP-50D.[21]
According to some sources, the Zaku machine gun from the original series was the MMP-78 Early Type, while the version introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory was the Late Type.[11][13]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 U.C. ARMS GALLERY (2005)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Official Gundam Perfect File Vol.93 (2013), p.12
- ↑ MSV: The Second Generation - 1986-1993 (2019), p.34
- ↑ The Official Weekly Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol.2 (2018), p.29
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Mobile Suit Museum book (2006),
- ↑ The Official Weekly Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol.125 (2018), p.8
- ↑ MSV Zaku Desert Type (1983) instruction manual
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 NGZZ Desert Zaku (1986) instruction manual
- ↑ MSV-R Zaku Edition (2013), p.100-101
- ↑ MSV-R Zaku Edition (2013), p.68-71, p.92
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Master Grade MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type EFF Variant (2002) instruction manual
- ↑ HGUC MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 (2010) instruction manual
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Comic BomBom Special 84 - Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 MS Wars (1992), p.113
- ↑ MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden Material-A004: 3 on 3
- ↑ Master Grade MS-09RS Char's Rick Dom (2003) instruction manual
- ↑ NG0080 MS-06FZ Zaku-FZ (1989) instruction manual
- ↑ The. Official Weekly Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol.104 (2021), p.8
- ↑ Reborn-One Hundred Zaku II Kai (2019) instruction manual
- ↑ Master Grade RMS-106 Hi-Zack (2004) instruction manual
- ↑ HGUC RMS-106 Hi-Zack (2000) instruction manual
- ↑ Kunio Okawara Gundam Design Works (1999), p.118