RX-104FF Penelope

The RX-104FF Penelope was a prototype transformable mobile suit produced by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation. The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model[foot]Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”.[/foot] and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “104” in the model number denoted that it was developed from the RX-104 Odysseus Gundam, while the “FF” variant code marked its Fixed Flight configuration. Although it lacked a Greek letter, the Penelope remained part of Anaheim Electronics’ Zeta Project.

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 Flight Form and achieve supersonic flight within atmosphere.

The Penelope was developed alongside the RX-105 Ξ Gundam that Anaheim Electronics produced for the anti-Earth Federation organisation Mafty. Both mobile suits were regarded as fifth-generation designs in the Universal Century.

Following a wave of assassinations targeting Federation bureaucrats, Federation High Command ordered Colonel Kenneth Sleg and the Circe Unit to eliminate Mafty. The Penelope was assigned to Lane Aim as the unit’s spearhead mobile suit.

Lane sortied on 21 April UC 0105 to engage Mafty forces over Davao in the Philippines. During the battle the Penelope was shot down by the Ξ Gundam and crashed into the ocean, forcing Lane to withdraw with Circe support craft.

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, and beam sabres for melee combat. The mobile suit also fielded composite weapon units and funnel missiles as secondary systems.

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. 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.

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 each side of the Penelope’s head.

The vulcan guns were used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and was 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 sabres 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 sabre 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 sabre and missiles.

Funnel missiles

The Penelope had 34 funnels mounted on its shoulder and front waist armour. These were Psycommu-guided missiles that could track targets to a certain degree even 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

Variants

No known variants.

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 released the 1/144 HGUC Penelope in 2019 and followed up with the 1/144 HGUC Xi Gundam vs Penelope Funnel Missile Effect Set in 2021 to recreate the duel between the two suits.

Later that year Bandai issued a Clear Color version of the 1/144 HGUC Penelope as an exclusive run for cinemas and The Gundam Base Tokyo.

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