MS-06GD Zaku II High Mobility Type (Ground Use)
Custom high mobility ground combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic.
The MS-06GD Zaku II High Mobility Type (Ground Use) was a custom high mobility ground combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon.
The “MS” in the model code meant it was a mobile suit, the “06” indicated it was based on the MS-06 Zaku II, the “G” designated it as a ground type variant, and the “D” likely indicated its custom high mobility configuration.
History
The MS-06GD was utilised by the elite Brown Southern Cross team during the One Year War. The mobile suit could hover over the ground thanks to its high mobility leg thrusters. The Brown Southern Cross was a five-member elite unit once led by Cucuruz Doan before his desertion from Zeon forces.
Painted with a brown camouflage scheme, each of the five Zakus carried various armaments that fit each pilot’s role, including close-range combat and long-range support. Commanded by Egba Atler, the team saw combat in multiple fronts, including a battle against the Earth Federation Forces in the North African city of Casablanca.
In Morocco, the unit was nicknamed the “Brown Southern Cross” because of its successes, to the extent that it was said to be able to support the front line with a single unit. The team became greatly feared by Federation forces as one of the best Zeon mobile suit teams and they dished out a one-sided massacre on the GMs with their High Mobility Zakus, easily turning the battle’s tide in Zeon’s favour.
On M’Quve’s orders, the team was deployed to the island of Alegranza on a special mission to initiate a manual launch of nuclear missiles secretly stored under the island’s surface. However, they encountered resistance in the form of Cucuruz Doan, their former commander, who was living on the island and working to sabotage the missiles. At the same time, the Earth Federation Forces assault carrier White Base deployed mobile suits to find missing pilot Amuro Ray and his RX-78-2 Gundam.
The Southern Cross Corp would successfully disable Kai Shiden and Hayato Kobayashi’s Guncannons, but not before Cucuruz Doan himself would participate in the battle to protect the island from his former teammates. All five members of the Southern Cross team were ultimately destroyed during the mission.
Design
The MS-06GD was a variant of the Zaku deployed by the Southern Cross Corps following Cucuruz Doan’s desertion. It was a high-mobility type Zaku for land combat with thrusters added to its legs and waist, and could move at high speeds by hovering. The MS-06GD could hover over the ground thanks to the high mobility leg thrusters from the MS-06R-1A Zaku II R-1A.
As the name “Brown Southern Cross” implies, it was painted in brown camouflage, and its colour pattern and armament differed from one machine to another. This customisation allowed each pilot to configure their mobile suit according to their specific combat role and preferences.
The MS-06GD featured the same basic construction as other Zaku II variants, with super hard steel alloy armour materials and a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor for power. The key enhancement was the addition of high mobility thrusters that enabled ground hovering capabilities, making it an effective predecessor to later hovering mobile suits like the MS-09 Dom.
Armaments
The MS-06GD’s armaments varied between individual units, with each pilot customising their loadout for their specific role within the team.
Spike shield
The MS-06GD was equipped with a spike shield, mounted on the right shoulder. This defensive armament provided protection against projectile weapons while also serving as a close-combat weapon when needed.
Machine gun
Some units, particularly those piloted by Egba, Danan, and Yun, were equipped with machine guns. These rapid-fire weapons were effective against light armour and infantry targets, providing sustained suppressive fire capability.
Anti-ship rifle
Waldo Ren’s unit was equipped with an anti-ship rifle for long-range engagements. This weapon excelled at sniping and had spare magazines mounted on the right shoulder shield. The anti-ship rifle provided the team with precise long-range fire support capabilities.
Type B2 MS bazooka
Selma’s unit carried a Type B2 MS bazooka. This heavy weapon provided significant anti-mobile suit firepower, capable of destroying enemy units with a single well-placed shot.
Heat weapons
The MS-06GD units were equipped with various heat weapons including heat knives (used by Yun and Selma), heat sabers (used by Egba), and heat hawks (used by Danan and Waldo). Unit 1, piloted by Egba Atler, had a blade antenna on its head and was equipped with a Zaku machine gun with a heat dagger bayonet and a heat saber. These superheated melee weapons could cut through most armour materials with ease.
Known pilots
The MS-06GD units were piloted by Egba Atler, Selma Livens, Danan Rashica, Waldo Ren, and Yun Sangho.
- Egba Atler - Team commander, piloted Unit 1
- Selma Livens - Team member, piloted Unit 2
- Danan Rashica - Team member, piloted Unit 3
- Waldo Ren - Deputy leader and sniper, piloted Unit 4
- Yun Sangho - Team member, piloted Unit 5
Behind the scenes
The original mechanical designer was Kunio Okawara. The MS-06GD was specifically created for the 2022 film Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island, which was directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and served as an expanded adaptation of the 15th episode of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series.
The total amount of information published for the MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility (Surface Type) was quite limited, with the entirety of the coverage for it in the Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island Deluxe Edition book consisting of just two sentences.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island
See also
- MS-06R-1A Zaku II R-1A
- MS-06G Zaku II High Mobility Ground Type
- Southern Cross Corps
- Cucuruz Doan
External links
- MS-06GD Zaku II High Mobility (Surface Type) on MAHQ
- MS-06GD Zaku High Mobility (Surface Type) on the Gundam Wiki