RGM-79Q GM Quel

The RGM-79Q GM Quel was a prototype general purpose mobile suit developed by the Titans using Earth Federation technology as their first mass-produced unit.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “79” denoted that it was from the GM line developed during the One Year War, and the “Q” suffix stood for “Quel”.

The GM Quel was the first mass-produced mobile suit created by the Titans special forces, used during the organisation’s early stages mainly for peacekeeping, riot control and suppression purposes inside space colonies.

History

In the aftermath of the Delaz Fleet’s Operation Stardust in UC 0083, the Earth Federation Forces created an elite task force called the Titans to subdue Zeon activities and Spacenoid rebellions. The RGM-79Q GM Quel was developed by the Titans, who were established after the Delaz Conflict, using Earthnoid engineers.

Manufactured on Luna II, the GM Quel was developed using the EFSF’s own technology and capabilities as a demonstration of the early Titans’ commitment to their “Terra firma” policies. The mobile suit was based on the high-performing RGM-79N GM Custom from Augusta Base.

This mobile suit saw early deployment for the Titans; the Earth Federation Forces special forces established immediately following the Delaz Conflict. The GM Quel first appeared briefly in the final episode of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory.

This mobile suit saw operation during the Founding War by the Tristan faction of Titans remnants who travelled to Mars to join ReZeon following their defeat during the Gryps War. A notable incident involved a former Titans pilot named Donald who piloted a GM Quel during a “rabbit hunt”—a political demonstration conducted by ReZeon’s supreme commander.

Its frame served as the base for the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel]. In addition, the GM Quel featured a new arm design that later evolved into the movable frame concept utilised by the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II.

Design

Using the Augusta base’s high-performing RGM-79N GM Custom as the basis, the Titans simplified its design to make the machine lighter and less complex for ease of mass production, while keeping its high performance relatively unaffected. Despite the suit being a variant of the GM Custom, it’s a high-performance mobile suit suitable for elite forces, supporting the Titans’ battle strength early on as it underwent mission-specific upgrades.

The GM Quel featured various minor improvements over its predecessor. The shape of its forehead, chest and shoulder armour has been streamlined, and high performance multi-purpose sensor units installed on the lower calf area of both legs and above the left chest intake.

In the later officially adopted type, the arms were replaced with a new design incorporating new frame tech undergoing development (later known as a movable frame), while the legs were equipped with sensors for anti-personnel suppression, its primary function.

The GM Quel had an ultracompact Minovsky power plant that generated an output of 1,420 kW. It had rocket thrusters that generated 61,480 kg of thrust total. The mobile suit featured a standard cockpit in its torso and was armoured with titanium ceramic composite materials.

Armaments

The GM Quel’s standard weapons were a beam rifle for ranged attacks and a beam saber for melee combat.

Beam rifle

The beam rifle was the GM Quel’s primary weapon. The rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.

The beam rifle was powered by a rechargeable energy cap and could be stored in a storage rack on the rear waist armour when not in use.

60 mm vulcan guns

A pair of fire-linked 60 mm gatling vulcan guns were mounted on either sides of the GM Quel’s head. The vulcan guns were used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat. They also served as missile defence.

Beam saber

The GM Quel carried a beam saber for melee combat. The beam saber was powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor and had a power rating of 0.38 MW. It was stored in a recharge rack in the backpack and hand-carried when in use.

The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level. This meant that the beam saber could cut through almost any material.

Shield

The GM Quel used a shield mounted on the left forearm for defence. The shield was able to block most ballistic and explosive projectiles and was also effective in melee combat.

90 mm GM rifle

The 90 mm GM rifle was an optional hand armament that was clip-fed with 30 rounds per clip. This conventional projectile weapon provided an alternative to the beam rifle for missions where beam weapons might not be suitable.

Known pilots

• Erickson
• Ernest McGuire
• Hewitt Reines
• Souichi Obino
• Ford Romfellow
• Tokushima
• Jacobius Node
• Elias
• Donald (ReZeon pilot)

Variants

Several variants of the GM Quel were developed:

• RGM-79Q GM Quel [Confeito Forces Type] – A variant painted in red and white Earth Federation colours for forces incorporated into the Titans from regular Federation units.
• RGM-79Q GM Quel [Hazel Reserves] – A GM Quel with its head replaced by the Gundam-type head of the RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel], stationed aboard the Aswan as a reserve machine.
• RGM-79Q GM Quel Chobham Armour Type – A variant equipped with additional Chobham armour identical to that used on the RX-78NT-1 Gundam Alex.

Behind the scenes

The GM Quel first appeared in one scene near the end of final episode of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, with its key frame labelled “C.383”. At the time of the OVA’s production, it did not even have a name. Following the end of 0083’s production, Katoki Hajime drew line arts for the GM Quel, which were included as a bonus feature in the Laser Disc release of 0083.

Katoki Hajime and Fujioka Kenki were the original mechanical designers.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars
• Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans

External links

• RGM-79Q GM Quel on the Gundam Wiki
• RGM-79Q GM Quel on MAHQ