RX-104FF Penelope – MechaBay

The RX-104FF Penelope was a prototype transformable mobile suit produced in UC 104 by the neutral Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation. It was first deployed in UC 105, assigned to Lane Aim of the Circe Unit.

The “R” in the type code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “X” designated it as an experimental mobile suit. The “104” in the model number denoted that it was developed from the RX-104 Odysseus Gundam. The number also indicated that both mobile suits were manufactured in UC 0104. The “FF” variant code stands for Flight Form.

It is part of Anaheim Electronics’ Zeta Project despite not using a Greek letter code name.

History

Anaheim Electronics developed the transformable mobile suit for the Earth Federation in UC 104 by equipping the RX-104 Odysseus Gundam with a Fixed Flight Unit. The unit allowed the RX-104FF Penelope to transform into Fight Form and achieve supersonic flight in atmosphere.

The Penelope was developed alongside the RX-105 Ξ Gundam that Anaheim Electronics was working on for the anti-Earth Federation group Mafty. They were both considered fifth-generation mobile suits in the Universal Century.

In response to the assassinations of Federation bureaucrats, the Federation Kenneth Sleg’s Circe Unit to hunt down Mafty members. The Penelope was assigned to the Unit and was piloted by Lane Aim.

It first deployed on 21 April UC 105 to engage Mafty forces in the Philippine city of Davao. It was downed by the Ξ Gundam and crashed into the ocean.

RX-104FF Penelope Flight Form bottom view

Design

While Anaheim Electronics designed the RX-105 Ξ Gundam with an integrated Minovsky Flight Unit, it developed the RX-104FF Penelope by equipping the RX-104 Odysseus Gundam with a Fixed Flight Unit. This allowed the mobile suit to change into Flight Form that generated beam barriers to allow it to achieve supersonic flight in atmosphere.

The mobile suit had a standard cockpit in its torso with a panoramic monitor and linear seat. It also came with a psycommu system.

The Penelope had an ultracompact Minovsky power plant that generated an output of 4,050 kW. It had an array of rocket thrusters that generated 168,000 kg of thrust. Although it had a larger power output compared to the Ξ Gundam, it was heavier.

Armaments

The Penelope’s standard weapons were mega particle cannons for ranged attacks that could transform into beam sabers for for melee combat. It had funnel missiles and a pair of composite weapon units as secondary weapons

Beam rifle

The Beam Rifle was the Penelope’s primary weapon. It had an initial velocity that was almost double that of previous beam rifle models.

The rifle drew its rounds from energy packs (E-packs), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armor. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.

These E-packs were used by the RGM-89 Jegan Type-A and other modern mobile suits.

Vulcan guns

A fire-linked gatling vulcan gun was mounted on either sides of the Penelope’s head.

The vulcan guns were used primarily against light-armored 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.

Mega particle cannon

The Penelope had two mega particle cannons mounted on its shoulders. These provided ranged attacks, and could also function as beam sabers using 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.

RX-104FF Penelope Flight Form mega particle cannon

Composite weapon units

The mobile suit mounted a composite weapon unit on each forearm. These units each had a mega particle cannon, beam saber, and missiles.

Funnel missiles

The Penelope had 34 funnels mounted on its shoulder and front waist armor. These were psycommu-guided missiles that could track targets to a certain degree despite being in environments with high Minovsky particle density.

Argos unit

The mobile suit had an optional armament known as the Argos Unit, but its details are unknown.

Known pilots

Lane Aim

Behind the scenes

Katoki Hajime and Nakatani Seiichi were the original mechanical designers. Its design is based on the design of the RX-104FF Penelope in the Hathaway’s Flash novel.

The names Penelope, Odysseus and Argos come from the Greek writer Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.

RX-104FF Penelope Flight Form top lineart

RX-104FF Penelope Flight Form bottom lineart

RX-104FF Penelope Flight Form side lineart

Gunpla

Bandai has released the 1/144 HGUC Penelope in 2019, and a special 1/144 HGUC Xi Gundam vs Penelope funnel missile effect set in 2021, featuring the battle between the two Gundams.

Later that year, an exclusive Clean Color version of the 1/144 HGUC Penelope Gundam was released as an exclusive kit for Theater and The Gunam Base Tokyo.

Buy through our links helps us earn a commission to keep the site alive.