MS-21D1 Dra-C Custom
Limited production space assault mobile suit produced by the Delaz Fleet.
The MS-21D1 Dra-C Custom was a limited production space assault mobile suit produced by the Delaz Fleet in UC 0083.
The “MS” in the type code indicated it was a mobile suit. The code number “21” denoted it was the twenty-first design, and “D1” variant code meant it was first version of the fourth variation.
History
Following the end of the One Year War on 31 December UC 0079, many survivors from the Principality of Zeon refused to surrender and went into hiding. The Delaz Fleet under Aiguille Delaz was one such remnant group that remained in the Earth Sphere.
The Delaz Fleet developed the MS-21C Dra-C using parts salvaged from Gattle fighter-bombers and MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2. They later created the MS-21D1 Dra-C Custom variant with different shoulder thrusters for improved acceleration at the cost of maneuverability. Despite its capabilities, the Dra-C Custom saw limited production as the original Dra-C proved to be the superior design. The model was retired after the Delaz Fleet’s defeat in the Delaz Conflict.
Axis Zeon later deployed a heavy equipment variant with additional weaponry that served as escort units for the MS-14J ReGelgu.
Design
The Delaz Fleet developed the Dra-C Custom using salvaged parts due to limited resources. Unlike mobile suits built by Axis Zeon that used Gundarium alloy alloy, the Dra-C Custom used salvaged super hard steel alloy armor. Its torso and arms came from salvaged MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 units.
The mobile suit replaced the Dra-C’s spherical shoulder thruster pods with thrusters from an unspecified Zeon space assault ship. Instead of legs, it had five rocket thrusters that generated 159,500 kg of thrust, compared to the Dra-C’s 117,500 kg. Like the Dra-C, it lacked vernier thrusters or apogee motors for AMBAC (Active Mass Balance Auto-Control), relying solely on its main and shoulder thrusters. This configuration provided greater acceleration but significantly reduced maneuverability.
Unlike the Dra-C that had weapons replacing its right forearm, the Dra-C Custom retained standard manipulators to equip various handheld weapons. It used a standard cockpit mounted in the torso.
Armaments
The Dra-C Custom’s standard weapons were a 120 mm machine gun for ranged attacks and a shield-mounted beam saber for melee combat.
Shield
The Dra-C Custom mounted a shield made from battleship plating on its left arm. The shield incorporated a beam saber, along with a small generator, an energy capacitor system and cooling unit since the mobile suit’s reactor output was insufficient for beam weapons.
Beam saber
A beam saber was mounted in the shield. It used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam saber to cut through almost any material.
The beam saber drew power through an energy capacitor in the shield that recharged from the mobile suit’s reactor. This configuration was necessary as the Dra-C Custom’s reactor output was too low to power beam weapons directly.
120 mm machine gun
The MMP-78 120 mm machine gun served as the Dra-C Custom’s primary ranged weapon. Originally developed for the Zaku II series, it was salvaged by the Delaz Fleet. The weapon was fed from a 32-round magazine stored in the mobile suit’s waist armor. It featured an underslung grenade launcher for additional anti-mobile suit capability.
Variants
Behind the scenes
Natsumoto Masato was the mechanical designer for the mobile suit’s appearance in Anaheim Laboratory Log.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion
External links
- MS-21D1 Dra-C Custom on Gundam Wiki
- MS-21D1 Dra-C Custom on MAHQ