Musai-class (Late Production Type)
Late production variant of the Musai-class light cruiser operated by the Principality of Zeon.
The Musai-class (Late Production Type) was a light cruiser variant produced by the Principality of Zeon in the latter stages of the One Year War.
History
The Principality of Zeon’s Musai-class light cruiser underwent several revisions throughout the course of the One Year War in UC 0079. The late production type was fielded in the latter stages of the war and featured significantly upgraded mobile suit storage capacity and launching capability compared to earlier variants.
As the war neared its end, multiple late production type vessels serving with the Delaz Fleet retreated from the final battle at A Baoa Qu and spent the next three years hiding in a makeshift base known as the Garden of Thorns. These ships would later play crucial roles in Operation Stardust when it began in October UC 0083.
On 23 October UC 0083, two late production type vessels successfully recovered Anavel Gato and the stolen RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A “Physalis” in Earth’s orbit, destroying two Salamis-class cruisers in the process. One of these ships, the Peer Gynt, carried Gato and the captured Gundam back to the Garden of Thorns, serving as the ace pilot’s base of operations throughout the operation.
The late production type also featured in a significant intelligence operation when the Cima Fleet secretly rendezvoused with the Federation battleship Birmingham on 8 November to sell information about Operation Stardust. However, this meeting was interrupted by the arrival of the Albion, forcing the Birmingham to fire on the Cima Fleet to conceal their secret deal. During this engagement, one Musai-class vessel, the Nibelung, was destroyed by Federation fire. From the wreckage, Federation pilot South Burning recovered a briefcase containing the Operation Stardust plans, though he was killed when his mobile suit exploded from battle damage before he could complete reading them.
Design
The late production type represented a significant advancement over the standard Musai-class design. The most notable improvement was the addition of dedicated mobile suit hangars located in the aft section, which resulted in increased overall width compared to the original version. This enhancement allowed for improved mobile suit storage and maintenance capabilities.
Two mobile suit hangars were installed independently on the left and right sides of the bridge, each equipped with two launch catapults—one mounted on the top and one on the bottom of each hangar. This configuration included hatches positioned longitudinally, allowing up to four mobile suits to launch simultaneously, representing a significant tactical advantage in combat operations.
The late production type also utilised the upgraded Komusai II atmospheric entry shuttle, providing enhanced logistical support and atmospheric deployment capabilities.
Armaments
The late production type featured substantially enhanced armament compared to earlier Musai-class variants, with additional mega particle cannons and comprehensive defensive systems.
Mega particle cannons
Five twin-barrel mega particle cannons were mounted across the vessel’s forward, midship, and aft sections. However, due to the increased strain on the power generator caused by the additional main guns, three radiator panels were installed on the left and right sides of the hull to offset the increased power requirements.
Machine gun turrets
Ten twin-barrel 120 mm machine gun turrets were distributed across the forward, midship, and aft sections of the vessel. These defensive weapons were specifically added to help defend against enemy mobile suits and fighters, addressing a critical vulnerability of earlier Musai-class variants.
Missile launchers
Ten missile launchers were mounted in the neck midship section, providing additional firepower for both anti-ship and anti-mobile suit combat.
Mobile weapons
The late production type could accommodate up to four mobile suits in its dedicated hangars, with the enhanced launch and maintenance facilities designed to support high-performance units such as the MS-09R Rick Dom and MS-14 Gelgoog.
Ships and captains
- Peer Gynt
- Nibelung
Behind the scenes
Kawamori Shoji was the original mechanical designer for the late production type variant.
Appearances
See also
External links
- Musai class (late production type) on MAHQ
- Musai-class Late Production Type on the Gundam Wiki