RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 Hazel II – MechaBay

The RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 Hazel II was a prototype mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces for the Titans Test Team.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “121” in the model code denoted that it was part of the TR-1 series developed in UC 0085, and the “2” suffix meant it was the second unit in the line.

History

The RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel II] was produced by modifying a RGM-79Q GM Quel [Hazel Reserve Unit]. The original unit, that was stationed aboard the Titans Test Team mothership Aswan for parts exchanges, was equipped with a tri booster unit.

Originally the Tri Booster unit was supposed to be installed and tested on one of the main Hazel units but due to the massive toll that was taken by Titans Test Team Murphy’s MS team roster, they had to instead have it installed and tested on the Reserve GM Quel unit.

Because the Hazel II was constructed in a hurry, its balance couldn’t be considered entirely satisfactory. The designation “Early Type” refers to the machine in the first stage of its conversion from Hazel Reserve Unit to Hazel II, before a crest-shaped sensor enhancement was added to its head.

The unit was primarily piloted by Eliard Hunter, who successfully persuaded the Titans command to officially redesignate the machine from a GM variant to a Gundam-type unit. This kind of re-designation normally requires a great deal of time and complicated formalities, but the authority the Titans enjoy within the military enabled them to complete the process very quickly.

Design

The Hazel II had a unique development history, being based on a GM Quel rather than starting from scratch as a Gundam-type unit. It still shares many of the same characteristics that you would find on the GM Quel, although the only difference this unit has over the normal mass-produced version is that it was equipped with the Gundam head, and eventually the Tri Booster unit.

While its head remains unchanged from the Hazel Reserve Unit, the [Hazel II] Early Type is equipped with the same backpack and shoulder units as the original Hazel. However, since it doesn’t carry shield boosters, its shoulders are usually fitted with multipurpose launchers rather than holding grips.

The machine’s colours were also the same as those of the RGM-79Q GM Quel on which it is based, and it had not yet been painted with the Titans Test Team’s characteristic yellow pinstripes in its early configuration.

Tri Booster Unit

The most revolutionary aspect of the Hazel II was its Tri Booster Unit. The Tri Booster Unit is a propulsion unit made up of two universal thrusters and a large central sturm booster. The direction of the universal thrusters can be freely controlled thanks to the articulated frame that connects them to the backpack, and this kind of technology would later provide the foundation for the movable frame.

Unlike previous sturm boosters, the device used in the tri booster unit is freely movable, enabling it to be used for AMBAC maneuvering. This technology represented a significant advancement in mobile suit propulsion systems and would influence future mobile suit design.

It also lacks the movable booster pod of the original RX-121 Gundam TR-1 Hazel, since the attachment point is taken up by the tri booster unit.

Head modifications

The RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel II] was given a new colour scheme when it formally entered service as Eliard Hunter’s machine. Its head was also equipped with an enhanced sensor unit like that of the original RX-121 Gundam TR-1 Hazel. From this point on, the tri booster unit became standard equipment for the Hazel II.

Armament

Fixed armaments

Beam saber

The standard close combat armament for Earth Federation mobile suits, it is a small cylindrical device held in the mobile suit’s hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-field and is capable of cutting through any metal alloy.

Shield

Standard defensive equipment that could be mounted on either arm. The shield could be swapped with a shield booster for enhanced propulsion capabilities.

Optional armaments

Multipurpose launchers

Since the Hazel II doesn’t carry shield boosters in its standard configuration, its shoulders are usually fitted with multipurpose launchers rather than holding grips.

Shield booster

The Hazel II could be equipped with shield boosters similar to those used by the original Hazel, though this was not part of its standard configuration.

Handheld armaments

XBR-M84a beam rifle

The particle beam fired from a beam rifle can penetrate almost any armor that has not been treated with specific counter-measures. Unlike most beam weapons of the period, which draws power from a E-Cap; it is powered by a newly-developed replaceable E-Pac. If the beam rifle runs out of energy, the current E-Pac can be replaced by a new one.

90mm machine gun

A portable, mobile suit-use 90mm rifle built based on the ‘system weapon’ structure, its effective range and accuracy is superior to the HWF GMG·MG79-90mm machine gun. With the extended barrel, the GM Rifle sees a 15% increase in muzzle velocity, leading to increased armor penetration capability.

Forms and configurations

Early Type

The “Early Type” refers to the machine in the first stage of its conversion from Hazel Reserve Unit to Hazel II, before a crest-shaped sensor enhancement was added to its head. In this configuration, the machine retained the original GM Quel colour scheme.

Standard Type

After receiving the head upgrades and the new three-tone Titans Test Team colours, the machine was officially re-designated as the RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel II].

Full Armor Form

Like the original Hazel, the Hazel II can be configured in Full Armor Form. Although Wes Murphy concluded that this armor was too heavy for the original Hazel, the Hazel II can overcome this handicap because it has high output thrusters in the form of a tri booster unit or double shield boosters.

Known pilots

Eliard Hunter - Primary pilot and advocate for the machine’s official Gundam designation

Variants

The Hazel II served as the foundation for the more advanced RX-121-2A Gundam TR-1 Advanced Hazel, which incorporated lessons learned from the Hazel II’s operation.

Behind the scenes

The story is by Bin Konno, the mechanical designs by Kenki Fujioka, and the character designs by Takuya Saito. Because team leader Wes Murphy is fond of rabbits, all the TR Series machines assigned to the Titans Test Team are given nicknames derived from Watership Down, a novel by Richard Adams which recounts the adventures of a group of rabbits.

The original mechanical designer was Fujioka Kenki.

Appearances

Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans (manga)
Advance of Zeta: The Flag of Titans (novel)

External links

RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel II] on the Gundam Wiki
RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 “Hazel II” on MAHQ

Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩