MS-07B Gouf

The MS-07B Gouf was a mass-produced ground combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War. It was Zeon’s first mobile suit designed specifically for Earth-based ground combat operations.

The “MS” in the type code indicated it was a mobile suit. The “07” model number denoted it was the seventh design in the MS series. The “B” suffix designated it as the second production variant.

The Gouf was designed to address the limitations of the MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type in terrestrial combat. Its specialised armaments and improved ground mobility made it a formidable close-quarters combatant, earning a fearsome reputation among Federation forces.

History

Following the outbreak of the One Year War and Zeon’s successful invasion of Earth, combat experience revealed that the space-optimised MS-06F Zaku II required significant modifications for effective ground operations. Whilst the hastily adapted MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type served as an interim solution, Zimmad recognised the need for a purpose-built ground combat mobile suit.

Development began with the YMS-07A Prototype Gouf in early UC 0079. The prototype incorporated lessons learned from the Zaku II’s terrestrial deployment, featuring enhanced ground mobility, specialised close-combat armaments, and improved armor distribution for Earth’s gravity environment.

The production model MS-07B was completed in May UC 0079 and entered service the following month. Initial deployment focused on Earth’s European and African fronts, where its superior ground performance quickly established Zeon dominance in ground engagements.

The Gouf’s most famous pilot was Captain Ramba Ral, who commanded a unit operating from Zeon’s African base. Ral’s distinctive blue Gouf Custom engaged the White Base multiple times, nearly destroying the ship on several occasions. His declaration “This is no Zaku, boy! No Zaku!” whilst battling Amuro Ray’s Gundam became legendary, highlighting the Gouf’s significant superiority over the Zaku in ground combat.

Despite its effectiveness, the Gouf’s production run was relatively brief. By September UC 0079, Zimmad had already moved to produce the more advanced MS-09 Dom, which offered even greater ground mobility through its hover capabilities. The Gouf remained in frontline service throughout the remainder of the war, particularly in regions where Dom deployment was limited.

Many Goufs participated in Operation Odessa in November UC 0079, where they formed the backbone of Zeon’s defensive forces. However, the Federation’s overwhelming numbers and the introduction of mass-produced RGM-79 GM mobile suits gradually turned the tide against Zeon’s Earth forces.

Design

The MS-07B Gouf represented a significant evolution in mobile suit design philosophy, being the first unit engineered from the ground up for terrestrial warfare. Unlike the space-to-ground conversions that preceded it, every aspect of the Gouf’s design prioritised Earth-based combat effectiveness.

The Gouf’s frame incorporated reinforced leg joints and enhanced balance systems to handle Earth’s gravity more effectively than the Zaku II. Its center of gravity was lowered compared to space-optimised designs, improving stability during high-speed ground movement and close-quarters combat manoeuvres.

The mobile suit’s distinctive blue-grey color scheme—a departure from Zeon’s standard green—served both tactical and practical purposes. The darker coloration provided better camouflage in European and Middle Eastern theatres, whilst the unique appearance helped establish battlefield presence and intimidate Federation forces.

The Gouf’s most revolutionary feature was its integrated weapons systems. Rather than relying solely on handheld armaments, the Gouf mounted a 75 mm machine gun directly into its left forearm, freeing the hand for grappling whilst maintaining ranged firepower. This integrated approach influenced subsequent mobile suit designs throughout the Universal Century.

The cockpit featured improved shock absorption systems essential for ground operations, protecting the pilot during high-impact combat and reducing fatigue during extended terrestrial campaigns. Enhanced panoramic displays provided better situational awareness in Earth’s more visually complex environments compared to space.

Armaments

The MS-07B Gouf’s standard armament configuration prioritised close-quarters combat effectiveness. Its left arm mounted a 75 mm machine gun and 3-barrel 35 mm machine gun for continuous firepower, whilst the right arm featured the devastating heat rod for close combat. This loadout made the Gouf exceptionally dangerous at short range.

75 mm machine gun

The Gouf’s primary ranged weapon was a 75 mm machine gun integrated directly into its left forearm. This unique mounting allowed the mobile suit to maintain constant firepower whilst keeping both manipulator hands free for grappling or wielding melee weapons.

The integration of the weapon into the forearm structure provided exceptional stability, reducing recoil and improving accuracy compared to handheld weapons. The gun’s placement also protected it from being knocked away or destroyed in close combat, a common issue with handheld armaments.

The 75 mm rounds were effective against light-armored vehicles and could damage mobile suit extremities, though they lacked the penetrating power to threaten vital areas of contemporary Federation mobile suits. The weapon’s true value lay in its ability to suppress enemy movements whilst the Gouf closed to melee range.

3-barrel 35 mm machine gun

Mounted beneath the 75 mm gun, the 3-barrel 35 mm machine gun provided additional firepower for engaging soft targets. Its rotating barrels allowed for sustained fire without overheating, making it particularly effective for suppressing infantry and light vehicles.

The smaller calibre rounds had limited effectiveness against mobile suit armor but excelled at destroying support equipment, sensor arrays, and communications gear. Many Gouf pilots used this weapon to methodically disable an enemy mobile suit’s external systems before moving in for the kill.

Heat rod

The Gouf’s signature weapon was its heat rod, a flexible electro-thermal whip capable of slicing through mobile suit armor. This revolutionary weapon extended from the right forearm, giving the Gouf unprecedented reach in melee combat.

The heat rod consisted of a segmented metal cable lined with heating elements. When activated, the segments heated to extreme temperatures whilst an electric current ran through the weapon, allowing it to cut through armor like a conventional blade. The rod’s flexibility made it nearly impossible to block with conventional shields, as it could wrap around defensive barriers to strike vulnerable points.

Skilled pilots like Ramba Ral used the heat rod with devastating effectiveness, entangling enemy mobile suits before pulling them off balance or severing limbs. The weapon’s 17-metre reach allowed Gouf units to strike from beyond the effective range of most handheld melee weapons.

Heat saber

For close-quarters combat situations where the heat rod’s reach was excessive, the Gouf carried a heat saber. This superheated blade worked on principles similar to the heat rod, using extreme temperatures to slice through armor with minimal resistance.

The heat saber was stored in a recharge rack on the rear waist armor when not in use. The blade’s design emphasized cutting power over Federation beam weapons, proving highly effective against mobile suits lacking beam-resistant coatings.

Shield

The Gouf was typically equipped with a standard Zeon shield for defensive purposes. The shield featured a spike on its surface that could be used as an additional melee weapon, ramming enemy units or breaking through defensive barriers.

When combined with the Gouf’s integrated weapons, the shield allowed for a highly aggressive combat style—blocking with the left arm whilst firing the integrated guns, then counter-attacking with the heat rod or saber.

Optional armaments

Gouf units could be equipped with various handheld weapons depending on mission requirements. Common options included the 120 mm machine gun for suppressive fire, the 360 mm giant bazooka for anti-armor work, and the heat hawk as a backup melee weapon.

Known pilots

Ramba Ral (Gouf Custom variant)
Norris Packard (Gouf Flight Type)

Variants

The MS-07B spawned several variants optimized for specific combat roles:

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Arms Type featured additional weapons at the cost of mobility. The MS-07H Gouf Flight Type added flight capability for enhanced tactical flexibility. The MS-07C-5 Gouf Test Prototype served as the testbed for technologies later incorporated into the MS-09 Dom.

Behind the scenes

The MS-07B Gouf was designed by Kunio Okawara for the original Mobile Suit Gundam television series. Its distinctive blue color scheme and unique heat rod weapon made it one of the most memorable Zeon mobile suits, despite its relatively brief screen time.

The Gouf’s design philosophy—integrating weapons directly into the mobile suit’s frame—proved influential on later Universal Century designs. The concept of fixed armaments would be further developed in later series, becoming a standard feature of many mobile suits.

Ramba Ral’s famous line “This is no Zaku, boy! No Zaku!” became one of the most iconic quotes in the Gundam franchise, cementing the Gouf’s reputation as a fearsome combat machine distinct from the more common Zaku II.

The mobile suit has been featured in numerous model kit releases:

High Grade Universal Century (HGUC)
- 1/144 MS-07B Gouf (2000)
- 1/144 MS-07B Gouf (Revive) (2019)
Master Grade (MG)
- 1/100 MS-07B Gouf (2000)
- 1/100 MS-07B Gouf Ver. 2.0 (2008)
Real Grade (RG)
- 1/144 MS-07B Gouf (2019)
Perfect Grade (PG)
- None produced

Appearances

Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam (episodes 12-19)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front

Films

Mobile Suit Gundam I
Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow

OVAs

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

Manga

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

Games

The Gouf has appeared in numerous Gundam video games, including the Federation vs. Zeon series, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series, Gundam Battle Operation, and various Gundam vs arcade games.

External links

MS-07B Gouf on the Gundam Wiki