Klimt
Transport spacecraft used by the Vist Foundation for ferrying artwork and prisoners.
The Klimt was a civilian transport spacecraft operated by the Vist Foundation during UC 0096. The vessel was primarily used for transporting artwork and other valuable cargo for the Foundation’s cultural preservation activities.
History
The Klimt served the Vist Foundation in a dual capacity as both an art transport vessel and, when necessary, a prisoner transfer craft. The Foundation, with its extensive cultural and political influence, required discrete transportation capabilities for its various operations.
In UC 0096, during the Laplace Incident, the Klimt was tasked with a sensitive mission to transport a captured Neo Zeon prisoner to Augusta, the site of the former Newtype Labs. The prisoner, a Cyber Newtype, required specialised treatment that could only be provided at the Augusta facility’s medical infrastructure.
The vessel rendezvoused with the Nahel Argama to transfer the prisoner, demonstrating the Vist Foundation’s coordination with Earth Federation forces when their interests aligned. This operation highlighted the Foundation’s role as an intermediary between various factions during the politically turbulent period following the Neo Zeon conflict.
Design
The Klimt was designed as a versatile civilian transport capable of operating both in space and atmospheric environments. The spacecraft featured a distinctive configuration with VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) nozzles that allowed for flexible landing operations on various surfaces.
The vessel’s fuselage incorporated a lower cargo section equipped with retractable landing gear, including tyres for surface operations on Earth. This dual-environment capability made the Klimt particularly suitable for the Vist Foundation’s operations, which often required discrete movement between space colonies and terrestrial locations.
The spacecraft’s cargo bay was spacious enough to accommodate valuable artwork collections, rare artefacts, and when necessary, mobile suit-sized cargo. This flexibility allowed the Foundation to adapt the vessel’s mission profile according to their operational requirements.
Civilian specifications
As a civilian vessel, the Klimt was unarmed and relied on its Foundation registration and diplomatic status for protection. The spacecraft’s sensors and navigation equipment were standard civilian grade, sufficient for routine cargo transport operations but not equipped for military reconnaissance or combat situations.
The vessel’s VTOL capabilities were particularly advantageous for operations requiring discrete arrivals and departures, allowing the Klimt to access locations that might be difficult for conventional spacecraft to reach safely.
Behind the scenes
The Klimt appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, reflecting the complex political and cultural landscape of the Universal Century era, where private foundations wielded significant influence alongside military and governmental organisations.
The vessel’s name likely references Gustav Klimt, the renowned Austrian symbolist painter, fitting with the Vist Foundation’s role in preserving and transporting valuable cultural artefacts.
Appearances
External links
- Klimt on the Gundam Wiki