RX-104FF Penelope
Prototype transformable mobile suit produced by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation.
★
By Jenxi Seow
Published
Updated
Mecha Database File
Production
Model number: RX-104FF
Code name: Penelope
Type: Prototype transformable mobile suit
Completed: Unknown
First deployment: 21 April UC 0105
Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics
Operator:
Specifications
Crew: Pilot only
Cockpit: Panoramic monitor with linear seat
Cockpit location: Torso
Height: 26.0 m (head); Unknown (total)
Mass: 36.4 t (empty); 112.0 t (gross)
Armor: Gundarium alloy
Sensors: Standard; unknown range
Performance
Power plant: Minovsky fusion reactor
Power output: 4.050 kW
Propulsion: 168,000 kg (total)
Flight system: Fixed Flight Unit
Max speed: Unknown
180° turn time: Unknown
Thrust-to-weight ratio: Unknown
Armaments
Fixed:
- 2 x vulcan gun
- 2 x mega particle cannon
- 2 x composite weapon unit
- 34 x funnel missile
Optional:
- 1 x Argos unit (optional)
Handheld:
- 34 x funnel missile
Development
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 model code meant it was a Federation model[1] and the “X” designated it as an experimental mobile suit. The “104” in the model code 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” suffix was a reference to its Flight Form capabilities or use of a Fixed Flight Unit.
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.
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 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 either sides 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 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 sabre could cut through almost any material.
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 armour. 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
Behind the scenes
Hajime Katoki and Seiichi Nakatani 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 Greek writer Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.
Gunpla
Bandai has released the HGUC 1/144 Penelope in 2019 and a special HGUC 1/144 Xi Gundam vs Penelope funnel missile effect set featuring the battle between the two Gundams.
Buy through our links helps us earn a commission to keep the site alive.
Appearances
See also
External links
- RX-104FF Penelope on the Gundam Wiki
- RX-104FF Penelope on MAHQ
- RX-104FF Penelope (Hathaway’s Flash) on the Gundam Wiki
- HGUC 1/144 RX-104 Penelope on Amazon (affiliate)
References
- Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩