The AMX-001 (MSN-08) Prototype Qubeley was a prototype Newtype-use mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon. The “AMX” in the model code refers to it being a mobile weapon developed in the Zeon asteroid base Axis. The “001” in the model code indicates that it was the fourth mobile weapon designed in Axis
History
The emergence of Newtypes, people with heightened spatial awareness and precognition, led to the Principality of Zeon looking into their military potential in the One Year War. The Flanagan Institute was assigned to study Newtypes and develop weapons to tap on their abilities.
The Flanagan Institute developed the mobile armour MAN-08 Elmeth tailored for Newtype pilots. The Elmeth was a sucess despite its destruction in a battle with the Earth Federation mobile suit RX-78-2 Gundam. The Institute proceeded to developed the AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley in UC 0080 based on the data gathered from the remains of the Elmeth.
Before the Prototype Qubeley could be built, Zeon had lost the war. The blueprints for the prototype were brought to Axis by fleeing Zeon engineers, where it was redesignated as AMX-001 under the Axis Zeon mobile suit development program. The Axis Zeon engineers refined the design of the Prototype Qubeley using data gathered from the MS-09R4 (MS-09RN) Psycommu Rick Dom “Schnee Weiss” to produce the AMX-004 Qubeley.
In UC 0088, the Qubeley was developed into the AMX-004-2 Qubeley Mk-II and AMX-004-3 Qubeley Mk-II. The Qubeley MK II served as the basis for the mass production version, the AMX-004G Mass-Production Type Qubeley.
Design
The Flanagan Institute designed the AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley for the Principality of Zeon as a Newtype-use mobile suit with the features of the MAN-08 Elmeth in a frame of regular mobile suit size. However, due to the technological limitations at that time, the psycommu system could not be made small enough to fit a mobile suit frame that small. The Prototype Qubeley was 25 metres tall, making it significantly larger than regular mobile suits.
Despite failing to realise their vision, the Prototype Quebley was still a success for Zeon. The prototype mobile suit was almost half the size of the Elmeth, which stood at a staggering height of 47.7 metres, not to mention its monstrous length of 85.4 metres. The breakthrough in shrinking the size of the psycommu system so drastically was a vital step towards achieving the goal of fitting the system into a regular mobile suit. Axis Zeon reaped the fruits of their labour by producing the AMX-004 Qubeley, the first regular-sized mobile suit equipped with a psycommu system.
As brainwaves were unaffected by Minovsky particlesinteference, Newtypes were able to control remote weapon units with the psycommu system. The Prototype Qubeley saw another technological breakthrough in the development of funnels. These remote weapons were smaller and cheaper version of the bits used by the Elmeth. The funnels drew power from an energy capacitator that required recharging. They were recalled to the mounts to recharge.
The mobile suit had a panoramic monitor with linear seat in its cockpit located in its torso.
Armaments
AMX-001 Prototype Qubeley’s standard weapons were a pair mega particle cannons for ranged attack and a pair of beam sabres for melee combat. It also had remote-controlled funnels that had beam guns mounted on them. The funnels allowed the Prototype Qubeley to strike at enemies at long ranges.
Mega particle cannons
A pair of mega particle cannons were built into the main torso of the Prototype Qubeley, near its arms. These powerful cannons drew power from the suit’s reactor. They were capable of penetrating mobile suit armour and other heavily armoured vehicles.
Beam sabres
The Prototype Qubeley had a pair of beam sabres for melee combat. These were stored in its palms when not in use. The beam sabres used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam sabres could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles] were channelled into the sabres through an energy capacitator (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Prototype Qubeley’s reactor when the sabres were stored in the suit’s palms.
Vulcan guns
A pair of vulcan guns were built into the chest of the Prototype Qubeley. These were used primarily against light-armoured support units and missiles. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.
Funnels
The Prototype Qubeley had six funnels stored in its tail binder. These were smaller and cheaper versions of the bits used by the MAN-08 Elmeth. The Elmeth’s bits had on-board reactors to provide power, allowing them to function for extended periods. In contrast, each of Qubeley’s funnels was powered by an E-cap. Although this allowed the to operate remotely for a certain amount of time, they had to be recalled to the tail binder for recharging when their power was drained. The E-caps recharged with Minvosky particles from the mobile suit’s reactor.
Each funnel was a beam gun with thrusters. The Prototype Qubeley’s psycommu system allowed the funnels to be controlled remotely by the pilot’s brainwaves. The funnels responded almost instantly to the pilot’s thoughts. The funnels were small and fast, making them undetectable visually. Coupled with their ability to function with the Prototype Qubeley remaining beyond enemy visual range, the funnels made a deadly weapon system. The pilot could operate the funnels to attack the enemy from all angles, closing off all possible escape vectors for enemy mobile weapons.
Behind the scenes
Junya Ishigaki was the original mechanical designer.
The Qubeley was named after the Greek goddess Cybele. In Greek mythology, Cybele is associated with mountains, town and city walls, fertile nature, and wild animals, especially lions.[foot]Cybele on Wikipedia.[/foot]