Gaw
Atmospheric attack carrier produced by the Principality of Zeon.
The Gaw was an atmospheric attack carrier produced by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War.
History
The Principality of Zeon developed the Gaw as a mobile fortress to spearhead their invasion of Earth at the start of the One Year War. When the Earth Federation Forces began deploying mobile suits of their own, the vulnerability of these attack carriers became apparent.
A notable incident occurred when Garma Zabi was killed while commanding a Gaw unit after being betrayed by Char Aznable. The White Base shot down his Gaw.
Multiple Gaw carriers participated in the Battle of Jaburo on 30 November UC 0079, during which Zeon attempted to capture the Federation’s General Headquarters. The carriers conducted night-time carpet bombing to distract Federation defences while Mad Angler-class submarines infiltrated the base. However, they suffered heavy damage from Federation anti-aircraft fire.
In UC 0096, pirates operated a Gaw as their command centre during an attack on a retreating Zeon Remnants base in New Guinea. The Earth Federation Forces intercepted and destroyed it using the RX-160S Byarlant Custom and RX-160S-2 Byarlant Custom 02.
Design
The Gaw was designed as an attack carrier capable of transporting mobile suits over long distances, as early mobile suits had limited mobility range. It could carry up to eight Dopp fighters and three mobile suits in its hangars.
The carrier was powered by two Minovsky-type thermonuclear reactors that gave it virtually unlimited operating range. However, despite having eighteen thermonuclear jet engines, 30 percent of the total thrust had to be directed downwards to provide lift. This significantly reduced its maximum flying speed and made it vulnerable to attack.
The Gaw’s design was conceived in space, with atmospheric resistance and gravity simulations conducted in colony environments. This led to reduced performance when operating in Earth’s actual atmosphere. Its sluggish mobility was further hampered by relying solely on its vertical tail stabilizer for steering.
Armaments
The Gaw’s standard weapons were three twin mega particle guns for ship-to-ship combat, anti-aircraft guns for defence, and a bomb bay for tactical bombing missions.
Twin mega particle guns
Three twin mega particle guns provided the Gaw’s main firepower, with one mounted in each wing and one atop the main fuselage. Each retractable cannon could rotate in its mount, allowing for flexible targeting.
Anti-aircraft guns
Multiple anti-aircraft machine gun turrets were mounted at various points for defence against enemy aircraft. While effective against conventional aircraft, these guns proved inadequate against mobile suits.
Bomb bay
A large bomb bay in the fuselage bottom carried explosives for carpet bombing enemy positions and facilities.
Known pilots
- Garma Zabi
- Bone Abust
- Otto Eichmann
- Darota
- Rainer Cziommer
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the Mobile Suit Gundam version. Yamane Kimitoshi designed the version seen in The 08th MS Team.
Gunpla
Bandai released a 1/1200 scale “Gaw Attack Carrier” model kit in 1982.
Variants
- Garuda-class
- Gaw Kai
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance