Galcezon
Manned sub-flight system used by Mafty for mobile suit atmospheric operations.
The Galcezon was a manned sub-flight system used by the anti-Earth Federation military group Mafty to provide atmospheric flight capability to mobile suits during UC 0105.
History
The Galcezon was developed as an enhanced sub-flight system based on the Base Jabber design used by various forces throughout the Universal Century. Mafty required these aircraft to provide atmospheric flight capability to their mobile suits, particularly the Me02R Messer series, which featured high mobility but could not fly independently in Earth’s atmosphere.
In April UC 0105, Mafty deployed multiple Galcezon units during their operations surrounding the Adelaide Conference. The aircraft served as essential support platforms, allowing Mafty’s mobile suits to conduct atmospheric operations against Earth Federation forces.
A specially equipped Galcezon with a rocket booster system was used in a critical mission to retrieve the RX-105 Ξ Gundam from the Cargo Pisa transport craft in satellite orbit. Hathaway Noa piloted this unit to intercept the orbital delivery, demonstrating the versatility of the Galcezon design beyond standard atmospheric support roles.
The Galcezon proved instrumental in Mafty’s tactical operations, providing the organisation with the ability to deploy mobile suits effectively in atmospheric combat scenarios where they would otherwise be severely limited.
Design
The Galcezon was designed as a manned sub-flight system capable of carrying and supporting mobile suits during atmospheric operations. Based on the proven Base Jabber concept, the Galcezon incorporated several improvements to better serve Mafty’s operational requirements.
The aircraft featured a rear hatch system that allowed it to accommodate two mobile suits positioned vertically. This configuration provided secure transport whilst maintaining the ability to rapidly deploy the mobile suits when combat was imminent. The vertical positioning also optimised the aircraft’s aerodynamic profile during flight operations.
The Galcezon’s cockpit was designed to accommodate up to four pilots, providing redundancy and allowing for complex mission profiles that required multiple crew members with different specialisations. This crew capacity also enabled the aircraft to serve as a command platform for coordinating multiple mobile suit operations.
Propulsion and performance
The Galcezon utilised advanced propulsion systems that provided sufficient thrust to carry two mobile suits whilst maintaining good atmospheric performance. The aircraft was capable of high-speed flight and demonstrated excellent manoeuvrability despite its substantial payload capacity.
For special missions requiring orbital capability, the Galcezon could be equipped with additional rocket boosters. This configuration allowed the aircraft to reach satellite orbit, as demonstrated during the Cargo Pisa operation where it successfully intercepted an orbital transport.
Armaments
The Galcezon was armed for both offensive operations and self-defence during missions.
Beam cannons
The aircraft was equipped with three beam cannons that provided both offensive capability against enemy forces and defensive fire to protect the mobile suits it carried. These weapons allowed the Galcezon to engage enemy aircraft and provide fire support during mobile suit deployment operations.
Missiles
The Galcezon carried an unknown number of missiles for engaging enemy aircraft and ground targets. These weapons provided additional offensive capability and enhanced the aircraft’s ability to operate independently when necessary.
Operational deployment
The Galcezon served as the primary atmospheric support platform for Mafty’s mobile suit operations. The aircraft was typically paired with Me02R Messer mobile suits, which relied on the Galcezon for atmospheric flight capability.
During combat operations, the Galcezon would transport mobile suits to the operational area, deploy them for combat, and provide fire support as needed. The aircraft could also serve as a recovery platform, retrieving mobile suits after operations for return to base.
The versatility of the Galcezon design allowed it to adapt to various mission profiles, from standard mobile suit support to complex orbital interception missions requiring specialised equipment modifications.
Known pilots
Notable pilots who operated Galcezon aircraft included:
- Raymond Cain
- Civet Anhern
- Hendrix Hiyo
- Gawman Nobile
Behind the scenes
The Galcezon was designed by Hajime Katoki, Kimitoshi Yamane, Nobuhiko Genba, and Seiichi Nakatani for the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film. The design was based on the original concept by Yasuhiro Moriki from the Hathaway’s Flash novels.
During development, Hajime Katoki had prepared a draft design that resembled a false meteor with facilities inside, similar to its depiction in the novels. However, the final design was changed to appear as a normal aircraft without external disguise for the animated film.
Appearances
See also
- Base Jabber
- Me02R Messer
- Cargo Pisa
- Mafty