AMX-107R ReBawoo – MechaBay

The AMX-107R ReBawoo was a prototype transformable Newtype-use mobile suit developed by Neo Zeon as an upgraded version of the AMX-107 Bawoo from the First Neo Zeon War.

The “AMX” designation indicated it was an Axis/Neo Zeon experimental mobile suit, the “107” denoted it was developed from the Bawoo line, and the “R” suffix likely stood for “Refine” or “Refit,” indicating its upgraded nature. The name “ReBawoo” reflected its status as an enhanced version of the original Bawoo.

History

The AMX-107R ReBawoo was developed by the Sleeves as a modified and renovated version of the AMX-107 Bawoo. The original Bawoo was a transforming suit that could separate into two fighters: the manned Bawoo Attacker and unmanned Bawoo Nutter. The ReBawoo improved upon this concept by adopting Psycho-Frame technology in the nose portion of the lower torso (ReBawoo Nutter) and around the cockpit (ReBawoo Attacker).

The ReBawoo’s red colour and elaborate decorations signified that the suit was originally intended for use by Neo Zeon leader Full Frontal, but it was assigned to other pilots after he acquired the MSN-06S Sinanju Stein. The plan was dropped when the Sleeves acquired and modified the Sinanju Stein into the MSN-06S Sinanju as Full Frontal’s personal machine.

The ReBawoo was used in multiple battles by Neo Zeon, including one in UC 0095, when it encountered the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee and RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex.

Design

The ReBawoo incorporated several significant improvements over the original Bawoo design. By adopting psychoframe in the nose portion of the lower torso (ReBawoo Nutter) and around the cockpit (ReBawoo Attacker), coordination during the ReBawoo’s separation was performed more smoothly. Moreover, the psychoframe allowed Newtype pilots to control the ReBawoo more easily than the original Bawoo.

The mobile suit had a head height of 19.6 metres and weighed 40.4 metric tons empty, with a maximum gross weight of 71.2 metric tons. It was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor rated at 3,020 kW output, providing increased power compared to the original Bawoo. The mobile suit’s rocket thrusters generated 112,240 kg of total thrust.

The ReBawoo retained the transformation capability of the original Bawoo but with enhanced coordination between its two components. The mobile suit had a standard cockpit in its torso with a panoramic monitor and linear seat, enhanced by the psychoframe installation.

Transformation system

The ReBawoo could separate into two distinct units: the ReBawoo Attacker and ReBawoo Nutter. The transformed form of the suit’s torso, arms, head, backpack and some of its weaponry was dubbed the “ReBawoo Attacker”. The transformation process involved unfolding the nose unit of the Attacker, tilting the head forward, rotating the arms to the bottom of the fuselage, extending the flexible wing binders and lifting the backpack unit.

The transformed form of the suit’s lower body was called the “ReBawoo Nutter”. Unlike the original Bawoo Nutter, the ReBawoo Nutter was primarily controlled through use of the psychoframe-equipped cockpit. It formed a lifting body by deploying part of the side skirt armour into a canard arrangement, and rotating its legs 90 degrees. Also unlike the original, the ReBawoo Nutter carried more offensive capabilities, with its machine cannons, flexible beam guns and missiles.

Armaments

The ReBawoo’s armaments were similar to the original Bawoo, but it also featured flexible beam guns and a pair of beam axes that could combine into a naginata.

Beam vulcan guns

A pair of beam vulcans were mounted on the inner side of the chest intakes. These rapid-fire beam weapons were effective against lightly armoured targets and served as point-defence systems against incoming missiles and aircraft.

Machine cannons

A pair of machine cannons were mounted in the top of the side skirt armour. These projectile weapons provided additional firepower and were particularly effective in the ReBawoo Nutter configuration, where they could engage targets independently of the main body.

Flexible beam guns

Attached to the side of each leg was a flexible beam gun that positioned themselves for the ReBawoo Nutter to use. These weapons provided the lower body component with independent offensive capability during separation, making the ReBawoo Nutter more combat-effective than its predecessor.

Grenade launchers

A 4-tube grenade launcher was mounted on each forearm. These weapons provided area-effect firepower and were useful for engaging multiple targets or dealing with fortified positions.

Beam sabers

Close combat weapons that emitted a beam blade when used. A pair of beam sabers were stored on ReBawoo’s forearms and were automatically placed in its hands when deployed. The beam sabers provided the mobile suit with effective melee combat capability.

Beam rifle

The ReBawoo used the same beam rifle as used by the MSN-06S Sinanju. When the ReBawoo separated into the ReBawoo Attacker and ReBawoo Nutter, the beam rifle was attached to the underside of the Attacker. This powerful beam weapon provided excellent long-range firepower and was effective against most mobile suit armour.

Shield

Though similar in shape to the original Bawoo’s shield, the ReBawoo’s shield lacked the mega particle cannons of the original and instead stored the ReBawoo’s beam axes as well as a grenade launcher. When the ReBawoo separated into the ReBawoo Attacker and ReBawoo Nutter, the shield was attached to the underside of the Attacker, improving its aerodynamics.

Beam axes

The ReBawoo could be equipped with a pair of beam axes that could combine into a naginata-type weapon. These melee weapons provided the mobile suit with additional close-combat options and could be stored on the shield when not in use.

Missiles

The ReBawoo could carry three missiles on each flexible wing binder and also three on each side skirt armour, for a total of twelve missiles. The missiles could be used in ReBawoo Attacker mode and mobile suit mode, providing additional ranged firepower options.

Propellant tanks

The ReBawoo could be equipped with a pair of external propellant tanks to extend its operating time. These tanks increased the mobile suit’s operational range and endurance, making it suitable for extended missions.

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime and Seiichi Nakatani were the original mechanical designers. The ReBawoo design originated from the Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash novels and appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two short animation.

The name “ReBawoo” combines “Re” (indicating a refit or upgrade) with “Bawoo,” clearly identifying it as an enhanced version of the original mobile suit.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two (short animation)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash (novels)

External links

AMX-107R ReBawoo on the Gundam Wiki
AMX-107R ReBawoo on MAHQ