MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type

By Jenxi Seow

Published

Updated

MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type

The MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type was a commander high efficiency mobile suit developed by the Principality of Zeon.

History

After the Earth Federation‘s deployment of the RX-78-2 Gundam during the One Year War, Zeon responded by changing its mobile suit development plans. Work on the high performance mobile suit MS-11 Gelgoog was abruptly cancelled. Zeon wanted its new mobile suits to be able to equip handheld beam armaments. The model number MS-11 was reassigned to the Act Zaku from the Pezun Project.

The Gelgoog project was rebooted under the model number MS-14 and it led to the development of the experimental MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type. Thirty units were produced and they were deployed in October UC 0079. Twenty-nine units were assigned to Zeon’s elite Ace Corps in the Corregidor Shoal Zone for field testing. The last unit was given to Zeon ace pilot Char Aznable, who customised it with his trademark red paint.

After the successful tests in Corregidor, the twenty-nine Gelgoog units were re-designated with the model number MS-14S and placed into active combat.

Design

The MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type was developed together with energy cap-based armaments to fulfil Zeon’s goal of arming its new mobile suits with handheld beam weaponry.

The Gelgoog was a high performance mobile suit that matched the Earth Federation‘s RX-78-2 Gundam. It was actually faster, had a power plant higher output, and was armed with more beam weaponry. Its superiority was evident during the first clash between the two units during the One Year War.

However, the battle also exposed the shortcomings of the Gelgoog. It had lighter armour of an inferior material compared to the Gundam. The Gelgoog also lacked fixed armament, so it was left weapon-less once it was disarmed.

Armaments

The standard weapons used by the Gelgoog Commander Type were a ranged beam weapon and a twin beam sword for melee combat.

Twin beam sword

The twin beam sword was a melee weapon designed for the Gelgoog. It had a long handle that gave it with a greater reach. The sword had beam emitters on both ends. It could be used with a single blade as a halberd or with dual blades. This gave it greater flexibility during close-ranged combat.

MS-14S Gelgoog twin beam sword

Twin beam sword

It was stored in a recharging dock on the back of the Gelgoog when not in use.

Beam rifle

The beam rifle fired concentrated mega particles drawn from rechargeable energy caps. The energy caps allowed the rifle to discharge beams without having to draw power from a nuclear reactor.

MS-14S Gelgoog beam rifle

Beam rifle

Shield

The Gelgoog Commander Type could equip a large shield for increased protection. It was noticeably larger compared to the shields used by earlier mobile suits.

MS-14S Gelgoog shield

Shield

Known pilots

Char Aznable

During the One Year War, the Zeon ace Char Aznable piloted his Gelgoog in combat against the Earth Federation‘s prototype RX-78-2 Gundam inside the abandoned Texas Colony at Side 5.

Behind the scenes

Kunio Okawara was the original mechanical designer.

Appearances