Dopp
Atmospheric fighter aircraft mass produced by the Principality of Zeon.
The Dopp was an atmospheric fighter aircraft mass produced by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War.
History
At the start of the One Year War, the Dopp formed the backbone of the Principality of Zeon air force. Because Zeon mobile suits lacked flight capabilities, they relied heavily on the Dopp for air support.
A notable deployment occurred when Captain Garma Zabi piloted a Dopp to attack the Earth Federation assault carrier White Base. During this engagement, Char Aznable tampered with the communication circuit, preventing Garma from contacting his Gaw carrier. Though the RX-78-2 Gundam severed one of the Dopp’s wings during the battle, the fighter’s thrust-based propulsion system allowed it to remain airborne.
The Dopp proved inadequate against the Federation air force. Its high fuel consumption necessitated frequent refuelling, requiring proximity to ground depots, Gaw carriers, or Dabude-class cruisers. Though the Dopp remained effective at destroying enemy bases, naval ships, and land battleships, Zeon failed to achieve air supremacy.
The fighter became obsolete when the Federation began deploying mobile suits, as its weapons could not penetrate their thick armor. Despite these limitations, the Dopp remained in service until Operation Odessa before being phased out after the war.
Design
Principality of Zeon engineers, inexperienced in atmospheric aircraft design due to their space colony origins, relied on computer simulations to develop the Dopp. The first four prototypes crashed during Earth testing. Though more agile than contemporary Earth Federation aircraft, the Dopp was slower, consumed more fuel, and had a poor climb rate.
The Dopp’s small size and speed made it difficult for ground units to target, particularly when Minovsky particles interfered with targeting systems. Its thrust-based propulsion allowed continued flight even with damaged wings.
Armaments
The Dopp’s standard weapons were missile launchers for ranged attacks and vulcan guns for close-range combat.
Missile launchers
Two six-tube missile launchers were mounted atop the Dopp, just behind the cockpit. These weapons were effective against ground bases, naval ships, land battleships, and other large, slow-moving targets. They could also engage enemy aircraft.
20 mm vulcan guns
A 20 mm vulcan gun was built into the tip of each missile launcher. These guns proved ineffective against heavily armored units like mobile suits but excelled in anti-aircraft and anti-personnel roles.
Known pilots
- Garma Zabi
- Norris Packard
- Hamble
- Gevil
- Bison
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer. Yamane Kimitoshi designed the version in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance