MS-05A Zaku I Early Type

The MS-05A Zaku I Early Type was the first successful mass-produced mobile suit developed by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon. It was the world’s first nuclear-powered mobile suit to achieve combat status in the Universal Century.

The “MS” in the type code indicated that it was a mobile suit. The “05” denoted that it was the fifth design of this type, and the “A” variant code identified it as the first version.

History

In UC 0074, the Principality of Zeon commissioned Zeonic and Zimmad to develop competing designs for a mass production mobile suit. After Zimmad’s EMS-04 Zudah failed its testing, Zeonic’s MS-04 Prototype Zaku was selected for further development as the MS-05B Zaku I.

Zeonic produced only 27 units of the MS-05A Zaku I Early Type for evaluation. Notable test pilots included the Blue Giant Ramba Ral and the Black Tri-Stars Gaia, Ortega, and Mash. Their feedback led to improvements that resulted in the MS-05B.

Though considered obsolete before the One Year War, heavy losses after Operation British and the Battle of Loum forced Zeon to return these machines to frontline service. Several units were assigned to the newly formed Midnight Fenrir Corps during the Second Earth Descent Operation due to shortages of the MS-06F Zaku II.

The Zaku I Early Type continued serving throughout the war in limited roles, primarily as patrol units and workers at remote bases. Zeon Remnants were still deploying the mobile suit as late as UC 0096.

Design

The MS-05A Zaku I Early Type incorporated technologies that became standard in all subsequent mobile suits. It used a thermonuclear reactor developed by Zahra Al Saad (ZAS) that provided unlimited power. The reactor utilised liquid hydrogen cooling for space operations and air cooling for atmospheric use.

The mobile suit featured the distinctive head-mounted mono-eye camera system, complemented by multiple cameras around its body that provided excellent visibility from the enclosed cockpit. It also incorporated laser sensors, infrared sensors, and an advanced computer system to aid pilot operation.

Armaments

The Zaku I Early Type’s standard weapons included a 105 mm machine gun for ranged combat and a Heat Hawk for melee combat. It could also be equipped with various bazookas for anti-ship warfare.

105 mm machine gun

The ZMP-47D 105 mm machine gun was the standard ranged weapon for early Zaku-type mobile suits. It featured a 100-round drum magazine mounted vertically on its right side. Spare magazines could be stored on the waist armor racks.

Heat Hawk

The Heat Hawk was an axe-like melee weapon, shortened from “tomahawk”. It used thermal energy to superheat its blade, allowing it to slice through enemy armor. When not in use, it could be stored on the waist armor racks.

Initial type bazooka

THe Zaku I could carry an early bazooka design that featured a block ammunition cartridge and a single exhaust port. This was later replaced by the 280 mm bazooka.

280 mm Zaku bazooka

Designed for the Zaku-type mobile suits, the 280 mm Zaku bazooka was a portable, physical projectile weapon primarily used for anti-ship combat. While effective in hit-and-run attacks against warships, its limited accuracy made it less effective against mobile targets.

Double bazooka

The double bazooka combined two 280 mm Zaku bazookas into a single weapon for increased firepower.

Shotgun

The Zaku I could also equip a pump-action shotgun similar to the type used by the MS-18E Kämpfer.

Known pilots

• Matt Austin
• Lee Swaggard
• Manning
• Ramba Ral
• Gaia
• Mash
• Ortega

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the Mobile Suit Variations version.

Appearances

• MSV (Mobile Suit Variations)

External links

• MS-05A Zaku I Early Type on the Gundam Wiki
• MS-05A Zaku I Early Type on MAHQ