MSM-04 Acguy Mobility Type – MechaBay

The MSM-04 Acguy Mobility Type was a custom amphibious mobile suit used by Zeon remnants during operations in the South Seas Alliance in August UC 0080. It was a specialised variant of the standard MSM-04 Acguy designed to provide mobile support to friendly units.

The “MS” in the model code referred to it being a mobile suit, while the “M” identified it as an amphibious model. The “04” indicated it was based on the fourth design in the MSM line, with “Mobility Type” denoting its enhanced manoeuvrability and support role.

History

The Principality of Zeon’s standard amphibious MSM-04 Acguy saw wide use on Earth during the One Year War in UC 0079. It continued to see use after the war with Zeon remnants committed to fighting the Earth Federation Forces.

In August UC 0080, Zeon remnants deployed a specially outfitted Acguy team under the command of Daryl Lorenz to retrieve a spy embedded in the South Seas Alliance. Two custom units, known as the Acguy Mobility Types, emphasised assisting friendly units through enhanced equipment and support capabilities.

Type A was armed with a compact heat blade and a forearm-mounted tinbe shield made from the head armour of an MSM-03 Gogg. Type B carried the same cross-shaped shield used by the MS-06K Zaku Cannon. The mission went awry when the Acguy team was spotted by civilians, which led to combat against the Alliance’s SRf-06 Dahles mobile suits.

Design

The Acguy Mobility Type retained the basic design principles of the standard MSM-04 Acguy, utilising the proven dual Minovsky fusion reactor system that provided efficient power output while maintaining the low heat signatures that made the Acguy ideal for covert operations.

The Mobility Type featured the same interchangeable forearm system as the base model, allowing for mission-specific weapon configurations. However, its equipment loadout was specifically configured to support other mobile suits in the team, carrying spare ammunition and defensive equipment rather than focusing on pure firepower.

Both Type A and Type B variants carried four spare drums for Zaku machine guns in their equipment packs, allowing them to resupply friendly units during extended operations. This support capability made them valuable assets for sustained combat missions where ammunition resupply was critical.

Armaments

The Acguy Mobility Type’s standard weapons were vulcan guns for point defence and a mega particle cannon for ranged combat, supplemented by specialised support equipment and defensive armaments.

105 mm vulcan guns

Four fire-linked 105 mm vulcan guns were mounted in the Acguy Mobility Type’s head. These rapid-fire weapons served multiple purposes: engaging lightly armoured targets, providing suppressive fire, and defending against incoming missiles and small craft. While not powerful enough to significantly damage heavily armoured mobile suits, sustained fire could damage sensors and joints at close range.

Mega particle cannon

Mounted in the right forearm, the mega particle cannon provided the Acguy Mobility Type with anti-mobile suit capabilities. This beam weapon offered excellent penetration against contemporary armour and was effective at medium to long ranges, allowing the mobile suit to provide fire support for advancing friendly units.

Heat blade

Type A was equipped with a compact heat blade, a superheated melee weapon that used technology similar to the heat hawk. The heat blade was effective in close combat situations and could cut through most mobile suit armour. Its compact size made it easier to handle in the confined spaces often encountered during amphibious operations.

Tinbe shield

Type A featured a forearm-mounted tinbe shield constructed from the head armour of an MSM-03 Gogg. This shield provided enhanced protection for the mobile suit while maintaining mobility. The use of Gogg head armour demonstrated the resourcefulness of Zeon remnant forces in repurposing salvaged components.

Cross-shaped shield

Type B carried the same cross-shaped shield design used by the MS-06K Zaku Cannon. This shield offered broader coverage than the tinbe shield but was held rather than mounted, requiring the use of one hand. The cross-shaped design provided protection from multiple angles while maintaining visibility for the pilot.

Spare ammunition

Both variants carried four spare magazines for Zaku machine guns, stored in their equipment packs. This support capability allowed the Mobility Types to resupply friendly units during extended operations, making them invaluable for sustained combat missions where logistics were critical.

Known pilots

Unknown Zeon remnant pilots (August UC 0080)

Behind the scenes

The Acguy Mobility Type appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga by Yasuo Ohtagaki and its subsequent ONA adaptation. The design showcased the continued evolution of the support role concept in mobile suit warfare, demonstrating how older designs could be adapted for specialised functions.

The Mobility Type’s focus on supporting friendly units rather than pure combat effectiveness reflected the tactical situation faced by Zeon remnant forces, who often operated with limited resources and needed to maximise the effectiveness of small unit operations.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (manga)
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA)

External links

MSM-04 Acguy Mobility Type on MAHQ
MSM-04 Acguy (Thunderbolt Ver.) on the Gundam Wiki