MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type (H-8)
Prototype ground combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic.
The MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type (H-8) was a prototype 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, “H” indicated it was a flight-capable variant, and the “8” suffix denoted it was the eighth iteration in the flight test programme.
History
During Zeon Armed Forces’ Earth Invasion campaign in UC 0079, the slow movement speed of mobile suits and slow troops deployment were seen as a major problem that affected not only tactics but also strategy. There was some progress in transporting mobile suits using aircraft such as the Gaw attack carrier and the Dodai YS bomber, but they were vulnerable in situations where there was no air superiority.
While the breakthrough in ground mobility was manifested in the hovering and nimble MS-09 Dom, the development of aerial MS ended tragically with mid-air explosion of MS-07H-4 Gouf Flight Test Type and the death of its pilot. With the serious problems encountered in the attempt to develop an atmospheric flight-capable mobile suit during the One Year War, the Zeon military halted its program to actively develop a flying mobile suit.
However, the idea continued to linger, and experimental units still occasionally found their way into the field for testing. The eighth incarnation of the MS-07H Gouf Flight Test Type was the MS-07H-8, which was equipped with an improved backpack and more powerful thrusters and thermonuclear jet engines.
Unfortunately, the H-8 still suffered some of the same problems encountered by previous versions: engine overheating and rapid fuel consumption at high altitudes and high speeds, limiting its range and flight time. Despite these limitations, the experience gained from the H-8 would later contribute to the development of the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom.
Design
The MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type represented the culmination of Zeon’s attempts to create a truly flight-capable mobile suit during the One Year War. Aerodynamic control surface wings were added to the backpack and waist armor, giving the Gouf Flight Type more stability in flight compared to earlier iterations.
The mobile suit was equipped with an improved backpack and more powerful thrusters and thermonuclear jet engines, generating 108,400 kg total thrust. This represented a significant increase over standard Gouf variants and was necessary to achieve atmospheric flight capability.
The H-8 was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor with an output rated at 1,130 kW, an improvement over the standard Gouf’s 1,034 kW to support the additional power requirements of the flight systems.
The MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type’s cockpit hatch retained the characteristics of the MS-07H/YMS-07A model because the anime staff wanted to emphasise the mobile suit’s difference from the Gouf Custom. Katoki Hajime, mechanical designer of the Gouf Flight Type, opposed this idea, citing inconsistency with the previous setting and the inconvenience of reusing parts when modelling, but Bandai’s model design staff said that “it will not hinder modelling,” and the anime staff’s wishes were given priority.
Armaments
The Gouf Flight Type shared its armament options with the Gouf Custom, reflecting the technological transfer between the two programmes.
3-barrel 35mm machine gun
The 3-barrel 35mm machine gun was clip-fed and mounted on the left forearm. This weapon provided ranged firepower while allowing the left hand to function as a normal manipulator, essential for the complex operations required during flight testing.
Gatling shield
The Gatling shield mounted a 75mm Gatling gun that was drum-and-belt fed. This heavy weapon provided significant firepower during atmospheric flight operations, though the additional weight had to be carefully balanced against flight performance requirements.
Heat saber
The heat saber was battery powered, stored in the Gatling shield, and hand-carried in use. The blade of Heat Sword Type D III did not change color or glow when it was used by Zhukov’s Gouf Flight Type, similar to Norris Packard’s Gouf Custom. It was speculated that the sword blades could be super-heated without any change in color or glowing, or that the MS units simply did not switch on the heating mechanism for unknown reasons.
Known pilots
- Gotter
- Zhukov
Behind the scenes
Katoki Hajime was the original mechanical designer. The Gouf Flight Type was designed to represent the challenges and limitations of early atmospheric flight attempts, serving as both a technological demonstration and a cautionary tale about the difficulties of achieving reliable mobile suit flight capability.
The design incorporated lessons learned from previous flight test failures while acknowledging that the fundamental problems of engine overheating and fuel consumption had not been fully resolved. This realistic approach to technological development reflected the series’ commitment to portraying the practical limitations of even advanced military technology.
Appearances
See also
- MS-07H Gouf Flight Test Type
- MS-07H-4 Gouf Flight Test Type
- MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom
External links
- MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type on the Gundam Wiki
- MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type on MAHQ