MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type – MechaBay

The MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type was a limited production commander-use mobile suit produced by the Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon.

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 “S” variant code identified it as a commander type.¹ It is often referred to as the S Type Zaku II.

History

The MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type was a hastily modified version of the MS-05B Zaku I. It was intended for deployment in rear positions such as guidance manoeuvre battalions or supply units to fill gaps left by production delays of the MS-06 Zaku II.

One notable unit was customised for Lieutenant Commander Garret Schmitzer, founder and leader of the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Before the One Year War, Schmitzer was already a decorated mobile suit pilot who proved his abilities in the opening days of the war. During an attack on a facility in New Guinea to clear the way for Operation British, Schmitzer was severely wounded when a booby-trapped railgun facility exploded. Though he survived, his injuries prevented him from returning to active combat duty.

Despite this handicap, Schmitzer persuaded Kycilia Zabi to create the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Migaki, head of the maintenance team, modified a Zaku I deployed in Fenrir’s unit. An acoustic sensor was added to compensate for Schmitzer’s optic nerve injury. Aboard this machine, he became the first pilot in history to defeat a Gundam with a Zaku when he bested the RX-78-6 Mudrock Gundam.

Design

The Zaku I Commander Type featured several modifications from the base Zaku I. It had a blade antenna on the head unit, and a round shoulder armor on the right shoulder. To ensure compatibility with Zaku II units, leg verniers were installed to compensate for thrust differences, along with a large-capacity backpack.

Armaments

The Zaku I Commander Type’s standard weapons were a machine gun for ranged attacks and a Heat Sword for melee combat.

90 mm machine gun

The MMP-80 90 mm machine gun was developed under the United Maintenance Plan, featuring significant improvements over the earlier Zaku machine guns. It used a box magazine instead of a drum magazine and could be fitted with an optional 197 mm grenade launcher.

Though reduced to 90 mm calibre, the weapon achieved improved hit rates and superior initial velocity. Standard magazines held 32 rounds, while triple magazines carried 100 rounds.

880 mm Raketen bazooka

The 880 mm Raketen bazooka was a heavy weapon featuring powerful rocket-propelled rounds and an improved targeting sensor with protective cover. It was fed by 5-round magazines.

Heat Sword Type-βIV

The Heat Sword Type-βIV was originally developed for the MS-07B Gouf. Like the Zaku’s heat hawk, its blade was heated to high temperatures to increase cutting capacity. The weapon was stored in the shield when not in use.

Shield

The shield was mounted on the left forearm and was primarily designed for close combat defence. It incorporated storage for the heat sword.

Known pilots

Garret Schmitzer

Variants

MS-05B Zaku I
MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type

Behind the scenes

Mark Simmons created the custom lineart.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front

External links

MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type on the Gundam Wiki
MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type on MAHQ

Commander in Japanese is shirei-kan, hence the use of “S”. ↩