MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type – MechaBay

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type was a prototype ground combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic to overcome the limitations of the standard Gouf’s weaponry.

The “MS” in the model code denoted it was a mobile suit, “07” indicated it was the seventh mobile suit design series, “C” signified it was the third major revision of the Gouf line, and “3” marked it as the third variant within the C-series. The mobile suit was also known as the Gouf Heavy Arms Custom and European Front Gouf, reflecting its intended deployment theatre.

History

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type was developed as part of Zeonic’s ongoing efforts to address the operational limitations of the MS-07B Gouf. Whereas the standard Zaku II could rely on a wide variety of hand armaments depending on the mission, the Gouf was limited by its permanently mounted tentacle heat rod and 75 mm machine gun hand. This restriction significantly reduced the Gouf’s tactical flexibility in extended combat operations.

To overcome these limitations, the Zeon military developed several mission-specific Gouf variants to operate on different fronts of the One Year War. The MS-07C-3 was one such variant, deployed primarily in Europe where its enhanced firepower could be effectively utilised against Federation forces.

The Heavy Armed Type represented a significant departure from the standard Gouf’s close-combat philosophy. In contrast to the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom, which eliminated fixed armament for better versatility, the MS-07C-3 was a further development of the MS-07C-1 Gouf Late Modification Type, which strengthened the Gouf’s fixed armament to improve its combat power.

Zeon remnants continued to use the Heavy Armed Type as late as UC 0096 as part of an attack on Australia’s Torrington Base, demonstrating the design’s longevity and continued effectiveness even decades after the war’s end.

Design

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type was designed with an emphasis on improving firepower and armor protection. Unlike most machines in the MS-07 Gouf series, which specialised in close combat, the Heavy Armed Type was more suited for ranged combat engagements, representing a significant tactical shift in the Gouf line’s operational doctrine.

The mobile suit featured a fundamentally different approach to armament integration compared to its predecessors. Where the standard Gouf used permanently mounted weapon systems that limited flexibility, the Heavy Armed Type incorporated replaceable weapon systems whilst maintaining the enhanced firepower concept through improved specifications.

The Heavy Armed Type featured smaller spike armor on the shoulders and a rod-shaped heat dissipation system, distinguishing it visually from other Gouf variants. Due to the increased calibre of its weaponry, the mobile suit’s manipulators became non-standard size, sacrificing versatility for enhanced firepower capability.

Armaments

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type’s standard weapons were twin 85 mm machine gun hands for ranged attacks and a 30 mm machine gun mounted in the forehead for close-range support.

5-barrel 85 mm machine gun

The finger vulcans on both hands of the Gouf Heavy Armed Type were more powerful versions of those found on the C-1 model, featuring 5-barrel 85 mm vulcans that provided significantly heavier firepower than the B-type Gouf’s 5-barrel 75 mm vulcans. This increase in calibre substantially improved the mobile suit’s ability to engage armored targets effectively.

The old heat rod and single 75 mm machine gun hand was replaced by heavier 85 mm machine gun hands on both arms, fed by large-capacity ammunition clips. To address the ammunition supply issues that plagued the B-type Gouf, the weapon’s magazine was made replaceable, with spare clips carried on the hip armor as replacements. This system allowed for sustained combat operations without the ammunition limitations that had hampered previous Gouf variants.

30 mm machine gun

A single 30 mm machine gun was mounted in the forehead along with sensors to improve firing accuracy and make the most effective use of the more powerful finger vulcans. This supplementary weapon provided additional close-range firepower and enhanced the mobile suit’s ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.

The forehead-mounted weapon was positioned to work in coordination with the enhanced finger vulcans, creating a comprehensive short to medium-range fire support system. The inclusion of targeting sensors alongside the weapon improved accuracy and allowed for more effective use of the available ammunition.

Additional equipment

Extra thrusters were added to the legs to help the mobile suit overcome the additional weight of its new weapons systems. This modification ensured that the Heavy Armed Type maintained acceptable mobility despite its increased armament load.

The Gouf Heavy Armed Type could be equipped with a Gouf shield, but due to its strengthened armor, the shield was not considered necessary for most combat operations. This optional equipment provided additional flexibility for specific mission requirements whilst maintaining the mobile suit’s enhanced combat effectiveness.

Known pilots

Unknown

Variants

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type had no known direct variants, though it was part of the broader Gouf development programme that produced numerous specialised variants for different combat roles.

Behind the scenes

The MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type was originally created as part of the Mobile Suit Variation (MSV) series, which expanded the One Year War mobile suit roster with additional designs that provided greater tactical variety. The design later received animated appearances, including a cameo in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer for the MSV series, including the Gouf Heavy Armed Type.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Variation
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

External links

MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Armed Type on MAHQ
MS-07C-3 Gouf Heavy Arms Type on the Gundam Wiki