The Papua-class was a line of supply ship produced by the Principality of Zeon.
History
The Principality of Zeon embarked on an ambitious mobile weapons programme as part of its aggressive militarisation in preparation for war with the Earth Federation. The Papua-class supply ship was one of the first space ships developed by Zeon and it served as the mainstay of Zeon’s supply fleet throughout the One Year War.
Papua-class supply ship
A notable ship of the line was commanded by Captain Gadem during the War. The ship was deployed in September UC 0079 to resupply the flagship of Char Aznable. However, the Papua-class supply ship and the Musai-class light cruiser were discovered by the Federation’s Pegasus-class assault carrier White Base, and the Federation ship deployed its RX-78-2 Gundam and FF-X7 Core Fighter. The Papua-class vessel was destroyed in the battle.
The Papua-class was replaced by the Pazock-class transport ship in UC 0079.
Papua-class supply ship from MS IGLOO
Papua-class supply ship from MS IGLOO
Design
The Principality of Zeon developed the Papua-class ship to handle the resupply of the Zeon fleet. The ship was designed for independent supply missions to the front lines. Each ship carried enough supplies for two Musai-class light cruisers.
The ship often had an attached Gattle squadron. Some times a MS-05B Zaku I is assigned to the ship to assist in loading and unloading, as well as defending the ship.
Papua-class supply ship from MS IGLOO
Papua-class supply ship from MS IGLOO
Armaments
The Papua-class supply ship was armed with machine guns for anti-aircraft and anti-mobile suit defence.
Machine guns
There were many machine gun turrets mounted on the ship. These were used mainly for anti-aircraft and anti-mobile suit defence. The Earth Federation lacked have mobile suit capability early in the War, so the Papua-class ship was able to rely on the machine guns and its Gattle squadron for protection.
Behind the scenes
Kunio Okawara was the original mechanical designer. Hajime Katoki designed the version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO.