MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom – MechaBay

The MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom was a mass production 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 “07” designated it as part of the Gouf series, “B” indicated it was the mass production type, and the “3” suffix denoted it was the third iteration of the B-type variant.

History

Intended to be a replacement for the aging MS-06JC Zaku II (J Type), the ground combat MS-07B Gouf proved effective in close combat, but was limited by its lack of long-range weapons. Production of the Gouf was soon halted when the Zimmad produced the popular ground-skimming MS-09 Dom.

However, some pilots preferred the Gouf, and limited development of that model continued at Side 3. A flight-capable Gouf was finally perfected in the form of the MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type, and parts from that model were used to produce a high-performance upgrade of the standard ground model.

The MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom was one of the MS-07 Gouf series machines produced at the very end of the One Year War, and it was based on the MS-07B Gouf. Despite the mass-produced B-type Gouf having better mobility than the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type it was replacing, its fixed armaments suffered from limited effectiveness at long range.

This high-performance upgrade was called the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom, which had the same capabilities as its MS-07B predecessor but enabled it to be more effective in long-range combat. The Gouf Custom proved to be an excellent unit, with one of these rare mobile suits operated by Norris Packard out of Zeon’s Southeast Asian research base. Two units were also used by the Midnight Fenrir team at the assault on Jaburo and later at the defence of the California Base.

Design

While having similar appearance as the MS-07B Gouf, the Gouf Custom had better weapons, better mobility, was lighter overall and thus faster. Some of the components of flight-capable prototypes were used to develop and create the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom.

The original 5-fingered machine gun left hand was replaced by a normal manipulator hand, and instead a 3-barrel 35mm machine gun was mounted on the left forearm. The original thick tentacle heat rod, somewhat limited in length, was replaced with a magnetic grappler mounted on a thin cable, allowing the right forearm to store a much greater length of heat wire and giving the weapon a much greater reach.

The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1,034 kW, the same as the standard MS-07B Gouf. It had rocket thrusters generating 40,700 kg total thrust, providing adequate ground mobility for its intended role.

The Gouf Custom unit piloted by Norris Packard featured a Flare Launcher which was installed at the back of the mobile suit. The flare fired from the launcher was for signalling friendly forces nearby.

Armaments

The Gouf Custom’s primary weapons were a heat wire for close combat and various ranged weapons for improved long-range effectiveness.

Heat wire

The heat wire was a retractable, superheated slicing/grappling/shocking weapon mounted in the right forearm. This was an evolution of the original Gouf’s heat rod, featuring a magnetic grappler mounted on a thin cable that allowed the right forearm to store a much greater length of heat wire and giving the weapon much greater reach than the original design.

The heat wire could be used as either a superheated slicing weapon capable of cutting through mobile suit armor, or as a grappling weapon with an electric shock effect to disable enemy units. Its extended reach made it particularly effective in close-quarters combat where the pilot could ensnare enemy mobile suits from a distance.

3-barrel 35mm machine gun

The 3-barrel 35mm machine gun was clip-fed and mounted on the left forearm. This weapon replaced the original Gouf’s 5-fingered machine gun hand, providing more conventional ranged firepower while allowing the left hand to function as a normal manipulator. The machine gun was particularly effective against lightly armoured targets and for suppressing enemy positions.

Gatling shield

The Gatling shield mounted a 75mm Gatling gun that was drum-and-belt fed. Another major improvement was the option of this heavy weapon on the shield, which could be ejected at a moment’s notice when the heavy weapon ran out of ammo or became a burden in close combat. This gave the Gouf Custom significant firepower while maintaining defensive capability.

Heat saber

The heat saber was battery powered, stored in the Gatling shield, and hand-carried in use. This melee weapon used superheated energy to cut through enemy armor and provided the Gouf Custom with additional close-combat options beyond the heat wire. The blade of Heat Saber Type-DIII did not change color or glow when it was used by Norris Packard’s Gouf Custom, suggesting either advanced heating technology that didn’t produce visible effects or specific operational circumstances.

Known pilots

Norris Packard
Lou Roya
Manning
Lance Garfield
Loft
Anessa

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer for the 08th M.S. Team version, with Ark Performance designing the version for The Plot to Assassinate Gihren and Yamane Kimitoshi designing the Requiem for Vengeance version.

The Gouf Custom is one of two Zeon mobile weapons that had its cockpit modified to be piloted by someone with one arm, the other being the MA-06 Val Walo. This reflected Norris Packard’s physical condition and demonstrated Zeon’s adaptability in accommodating skilled pilots despite physical limitations.

When Norris’ Gouf Custom battled Shiro Amada’s RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8, the heat saber only crippled the Gundam Ez8’s arm without slicing it. No official explanation for this was provided, though it may relate to the specific heat saber variant used or tactical considerations during the engagement.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

External links

MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom on the Gundam Wiki
MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom on MAHQ