Magella Eins – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam

The Magella Eins was an airborne main battle tank used by the Principality of Zeon for colony invasion operations and Earth-based combat during the One Year War. Despite sharing the “Magella” designation, it was a conventional tank design distinct from the transformable HT-01B Magella Attack.

The Principality of Zeon developed the Magella Eins as a combat vehicle optimised for aerial transportation and airborne assault tactics. The tank was specifically designed for colony invasion operations where rapid deployment and mobility were essential requirements. Its compact chassis was engineered to improve operability during airborne insertion missions.

History

The Magella Eins entered service with Zeon forces prior to the One Year War as part of the military’s preparation for large-scale invasion operations. The tank was designed to address specific tactical requirements for colony assault missions where conventional ground forces needed to be rapidly deployed and sustained in hostile environments.

On 1 March UC 0079, Magella Eins tanks participated in Zeon’s First Earth Landing Operation as part of the initial invasion force. The tanks were deployed in large numbers during this crucial operation, demonstrating their capability in combined arms operations alongside Zeon mobile suits and aircraft.

Throughout the One Year War, Magella Eins units operated extensively across multiple theatres, particularly in the European front before the Battle of Odessa. The tanks proved effective in conventional armoured warfare despite their smaller size compared to later main battle tanks, providing valuable fire support and serving as a backbone for Zeon ground forces where mobile suits were unavailable or impractical.

Despite their effectiveness in conventional roles, the Magella Eins faced significant challenges when confronting Earth Federation mobile suits. Like most conventional armoured vehicles of the era, the tank’s weaponry proved inadequate against mobile suit armour, requiring tactical coordination with Zeon mobile suits to remain effective on the battlefield.

Design

The Magella Eins featured a conventional tank design philosophy that differed significantly from the experimental HT-01B Magella Attack. The tank was built around a compact chassis optimised for aerial transport and rapid deployment operations. This smaller profile improved the vehicle’s utility during airborne insertion missions whilst maintaining sufficient firepower for ground combat operations.

The tank’s design incorporated lessons learned from early mobile suit encounters, emphasising mobility and tactical flexibility over raw firepower. The chassis was engineered to accept various mission-specific modifications, including additional armour packages and specialised equipment for different operational environments.

The crew compartment accommodated four personnel, following conventional tank design practices rather than the reduced crew requirements of more advanced Zeon vehicles. This crew configuration provided better situational awareness and operational capability during sustained combat operations.

The Magella Eins shared more operational characteristics with the Earth Federation’s M61A5 Tank than with other Zeon armoured vehicles, reflecting its conventional tank design philosophy. This similarity demonstrated Zeon’s pragmatic approach to developing effective conventional forces alongside their revolutionary mobile suit technology.

Armaments

The Magella Eins mounted a balanced armament package designed for both anti-armour and anti-personnel operations.

133 mm tank gun

The main armament was a 133 mm tank gun mounted in a rotating turret. This weapon provided effective anti-armour capability against contemporary Federation tanks and armoured vehicles. The gun could fire various ammunition types including high-explosive and armour-piercing rounds, making it versatile for different tactical situations.

Whilst the 133 mm gun proved effective against conventional targets, it struggled against mobile suit armour except at very close range with direct hits. This limitation required Magella Eins crews to employ careful tactical positioning and coordination with mobile suit forces.

MG74 machine gun

The MG74 anti-personnel machine gun provided defensive capability against infantry and light vehicles. This weapon was particularly effective in urban combat situations and during base defence operations where infantry threats were primary concerns.

The machine gun’s rapid-fire capability made it valuable for suppressive fire missions and perimeter defence, complementing the main gun’s anti-armour role.

Coaxial machine gun

A coaxial machine gun was mounted alongside the main gun, providing immediate suppressive fire capability without requiring separate crew operation. This weapon enhanced the tank’s effectiveness against infantry targets and provided defensive capability during main gun reloading.

Smoke dischargers

Multiple smoke dischargers were fitted to provide concealment and defensive capability. These devices could create screening smoke to mask the tank’s movement or provide cover during tactical withdrawals.

The smoke discharge system proved particularly valuable during mobile suit encounters, where concealment could provide crucial seconds for repositioning or withdrawal.

Behind the scenes

Yamane Kimitoshi was the original mechanical designer for the Magella Eins as featured in Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front.

The tank’s design philosophy deliberately emphasised conventional tank warfare principles rather than the exotic technologies featured in other Zeon vehicles. This approach provided a realistic grounding for Zeon ground forces and demonstrated the military’s combined arms doctrine.

The design of the Magella Eins closely resembles the real-world Israeli Merkava main battle tank, reflecting the designers’ intention to create a believable conventional armoured vehicle within the Gundam universe.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front

External links

Magella Eins on the Gundam Wiki
Magella Eins on MAHQ