MS-14F Gelgoog Marine

The MS-14F Gelgoog Marine was a mass production space combat mobile suit developed by Zeonic for the Principality of Zeon’s marine troops during the last weeks of the One Year War.

The “MS” in the model code meant it was a mobile suit, the “14” indicated it was from the Gelgoog series, and the “F” stood for “Marine” (using the German word “Flotte” for fleet).

History

In the last weeks of the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon introduced its last mass-produced mobile suit line, the MS-14A Gelgoog. Variants also appeared to fill specific mission roles, and one variant was the MS-14F Gelgoog Marine. Built exclusively for Zeon’s marine troops, the Gelgoog Marine was developed from the MS-14B Gelgoog High Mobility Type.

Being designed for the Zeon Marine Corps, its power-to-weight ratio, mobility, and maneuverability were all greatly improved, rivalling the later MS-14JG Gelgoog Jäger. Though the Gelgoog Jäger’s performance was still superior, the Gelgoog Marine’s production cost was lower.

With its good cost performance, the Gelgoog Marine was perhaps the most heavily mass-produced Gelgoog variant built, with many units surviving the war. The mobile suit continued to serve with various Zeon remnant groups in the years following the One Year War.

Design

The Gelgoog Marine featured improved thrusters, speed and maneuverability, as well as external propellant tanks to increase its range while offsetting the extra fuel used by its more powerful thrusters. The mobile suit measured 19.2 meters in head height (20.2 meters overall) and weighed 45.1 metric tons empty, with a maximum gross weight of 81.3 metric tons.

It was constructed from super hard steel alloy armor and powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor with an output of 1,440 kW. The propulsion system consisted of rocket thrusters with a total output of 55,000 kg (2 x 20,500 kg, 2 x 7,000 kg), giving it a 180-degree turn time of 1.6 seconds.

The original Gelgoog’s large and burdensome shield was replaced with a modified MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 shoulder shield, called a “knuckle shield,” which could be used as a punching weapon. Unlike most Gelgoogs made during the One Year War, the MS-14F was not equipped with a beam naginata for close combat.

Armaments

The Gelgoog Marine’s armament was optimised for marine operations and cost-effectiveness.

110 mm machine cannons

One of the new features of the Gelgoog Marine are a pair of 110mm machine cannons mounted in the forearms, one cannon per arm. These projectile firing weapons are highly effective against most mobile suit armor at close range.

Beam sabers

The twin beam sword of the original Gelgoog was replaced with two standard beam sabers, stored in recharge racks in hip armor, hand-carried in use. These used I-field technology to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade.

MMP-80 machine gun

A small caliber machine gun for mobile suits developed under the United Maintenance Plan. The overall shape and mechanism of the Zaku Machine Gun, which was previously deployed, has been changed. It was clip-fed with 32 rounds per clip.

Knuckle shield

The knuckle shield is a modified Zaku II shoulder shield carried on the arm, with the curve of the armor fitting over the mobile suit’s hand. One of the modifications is the additions of three spikes placed on the plate that rests in front of the hand. These spikes make the knuckle shield an effective bashing weapon.

Optional armaments

As an alternative to the Knuckle Shield, the Gelgoog Marine can also use a large shield similar to one used by the Gelgoog Marine Commander Type. The mobile suit could also mount external propellant tanks for extended operations.

Variants

MS-14Fs Gelgoog Marine Commander Type

An improved version of the MS-14F with increased thruster output, vulcan guns, and a heavy beam rifle. Used by commanders like Cima Garahau.

Behind the scenes

The MS-14F Gelgoog Marine was designed by Mika Akitaka for Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory.

The camouflage pattern seen in The Mayfly of Space 2 resembles erbsenmuster, which was issued to the Waffen-SS during World War II.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
• Gundam Evolve

External links

• MS-14F Gelgoog Marine on the Gundam Wiki
• MS-14F Gelgoog Marine on MAHQ