RX-178 Gundam Mk-II

The “RX” in the model code indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “178” in the model code indicated its was based on the RX-78-2 Gundam.

Production overview

Model number: RX-178

Code name: Gundam Mk-II

Type: Prototype general purpose mobile suit

Completed: UC 0086

First deployment: 3 March UC 0087

Manufacturer: Titans

Operator: Titans, AEUG

Developed from

Developed into

Variants

General characteristics

Crew: Pilot only

Cockpit: Standard cockpit in torso

Head height: 18.5 m

Total height: 19.6 m

Empty weight: 33.4 t

Gross weight: 54.1 t

Armour: Titanium alloy ceramic composite

Sensors: Standard

Sensor range: 11,300 m

Performance

Power plant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor

Power output: 1,930 kW

Propulsion:

  • Rocket thrusters: 4 x 20,300 kg
  • Vernier thrusters: 10

Max speed: Unknown

180° turn time: Unknown

Thrust-to-weight ratio: 1.50 G

Equipment

Fixed

  • 2 x beam sabre
  • 1 x shield
  • 1 x 60 mm vulcan pod (optional)

Handheld

  • 1 x beam rifle
  • 1 x 360 mm hyper bazooka
  • 1 x clay bazooka

History

After the One Year War, the Earth Federation elite unit Titans was secretly developing its own mobile weapons in preparation for its plan to subjugate the Earth Sphere. One of the earliest designs was the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II based on the famed RX-78-2 Gundam. The Titans designed the Gundam Mk-II for use in atmosphere under gravity, specifically in space colonies. They built three prototype units at their base in the Gryps colonies. The Titans planned to mass produce the Gundam Mk-II after the prototypes had proven to be a success.

When the AEUG received intelligence about the prototype Gundam Mk-II, it decided to capture a prototype unit for the movable frame technology and to also expose the Titans’s secret project to the Earth Sphere. On 2 March UC 0087, AEUG pilot Quattro Bajeena led a team of RMS-099 Rick Dias units into the Gryps II space colony on a reconnaissance mission, with the capture of a Gundam Mk-II unit as a secondary objective.

AEUG dismantling the Gundam Mk-II units
Gundam Mk-II Unit 03 repainted

Quattro managed to capture all three prototype units, marking the start of the Gryps Conflict. However, the Titans fought to recapture the Gundam Mk-II suits. They ultimately failed but managed to heavily damage Unit 02. The AEUG disassembled Unit 01 and Unit 02 and shipped them to the lunar factory of their ally Anaheim Electronics for reverse engineering. The AEUG frontline forces retained Unit 03 for their new pilot Kamille Bidan and repainted it in AEUG colours.

As the war progressed, the Titans deployed other mobile weapons that were more powerful than the Gundam Mk-II. Although Anaheim Electronics made progress with its Project Zeta to develop next generation mobile suits for the AEUG, the war was tilting in favour of the Titans and Anaheim Electronics had to provide the AEUG with the means to match what the Titans fielded. Anaheim Electronics developed parts for the Gundam Mk-II to increase its performance and capabilities.

The first was the Flying Armour, a sub-flight system based on the new waverider technology developed for the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam. When Kamille received the Zeta Gundam, the AEUG assigned the Gundam Mk-II Unit 03 to Emma Sheen. Anaheim Electronics developed the FXA-05D G-Defenser unit that could combine with the Gundam Mk-II to form the RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam.

The Gundam Mk-II Unit 03 was heavily damaged at the end of the Gryps Conflict in early UC 0088. It was repaired on the Anaheim Electronics ship La Vie En Rose and remained in service until it was critically damaged in Axis during the final battle of the First Neo Zeon War.

Besides the Super Gundam, there were two other variants of the Gundam Mk-II. The FA-178 Full Armor Gundam Mk-II used the FXA-03 Full Armour unit designed alongside the G-Defenser. The RX-178 Gundam Mk-II B was a mass production version of the Gundam Mk-II.

Although it was soon outstripped by newer models, the Gundam Mk-II design was revolutionary and became the basis for several mobile suits, including the MRX-007 Prototype Psycho Gundam designed by the Murasame Research Institute, the MSA-014 Σ Gundam and MSF-007 Gundam Mk-III designed by Anaheim Electronics, the RGM-86R GM III, RMS-154 Barzam and RX-166 Gundam Mk-III “Eagley” designed by the Federation, and the RX-272-2 Gundam Mk-III “Halpuley” designed by the Titans.

Design

The RX-178 Gundam Mk-II was a breakthrough with its movable frame concept. The Titans designed the Gundam Mk-II with a skeleton-like frame. All components such as the thrusters, fuel tanks, weapons and others were mounted on the frame. The Titans designed mobile suit with minimal armour. The argument was that the advent of portable beam weaponry meant a couple of well-placed shots would destroy a mobile suit regardless of its armour. Instead of weighing the suit down with armour that would ultimately prove useless in actual combat, the Titans engineers favoured a lighter design by sacrificing the armour. This made the Gundam Mk-II faster and more manoeuvrable.

The Gundam Mk-II had a powerful ultracompact fusion reactor that generated 1,930 kW to provide greater propulsion. Four rocket thrusters with a combined output of 81,200 kg provided main propulsion for the Gundam Mk-II. Its main set of four thrusters had an output of 20,300 kg each, while ten vernier thrusters and apogee motors allowed fine control.

A serious design flaw in the Gundam Mk-II was the use of titanium ceramic composite at a time when mobile suits were adopting the lighter and more durable Gundarium alloy armour.

The Gundam Mk-II had the new standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat in its torso.

It had a set of standard sensors with detection range up to 11,300 metres.

The Gundam Mk-II could equip the Flying Armour, a sub-flight system that allowed it to fly in Earth’s atmosphere. It could also equip the FXA-05D G-Defenser pack that gave it atmospheric reentry capabilities and increased its mobility in atmosphere.

Armaments

The Gundam Mk-II’s standard weapons were a beam saber for melee combat and an optional handheld rifle for ranged attack. It used different models of the weapons under the AEUG and the Titans. Unlike most mobile suits that come with close-in weapons systems built into their heads, the Gundam Mk-II equipped an optional vulcan pods instead.

Beam sabers

XB-G-1048L beam saber

The Gundam Mk-II had a pair of beam sabres for close combat. The Titans used the XB-G-1048L beam saber while the AEUG replaced it with the A·E-Br·G-Sc-L beam saber. Both models had power ratings of 0.45 megawatts.

The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. The beam saber could cut through almost any material. Minovsky particles were channelled into the sabers through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to their hilts. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Gundam Mk-II’s reactor when the saber was stored in the recharge rack in the rear waist armour of the mobile suit.

Beam rifle

BOWA·XBR-M-86-C2 beam rifle
BOWA·XBR-M-86-C2 beam rifle

The Gundam Mk-II carried a beam rifle for ranged attack. The Titans designed the BOWA·XBR-M-86-C2 beam rifle for the Gundam Mk-II, while the AEUG used the A·E-Br·XBR-87-C beam rifle. Both models had power rating of 2.6 megawatts.

The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), 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.

60 mm vulcan pods

60 mm vulcan pods

The Gundam Mk-II did not come with a standard close-in weapons system. It could optionally mount a 60 mm twin-barrel vulcan pod on its head. The Titans designed the VCU-505EX-Gry/Ver.009 for the Gundam Mk-II and the AEUG reverse engineered it to produce the VCU-505EX-V*B/Ver.012.

The vulcan pod was loaded with 1,400 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armoured support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.

360 mm hyper bazooka

H-Baz-85-Gry/Ver.045 360 mm hyper bazooka

The Gundam Mk-II could equip a 360 mm hyper bazooka in situations that required heavy fire power. The Titans used the H-Baz-85-Gry/Ver.045 while the AEUG reverse engineered the H-Baz-87-A*E/Ver.004 for their Gundam Mk-II unit. The bazooka was stored on a rack on the rear skirt armour when it was not in use.

Designed to fire adhesive rounds to immobilise enemies, the bazooka could also load other types of ammunitions such as explosive rounds or pellet shot rounds. Its chamber loaded one round while its magazine carried seven rounds.

Clay Bazooka

AE/ZIM.C-BAZ-531 300 mm clay bazooka

The GM Cannon II could equip the AE/ZIM.C-BAZ-531 300 mm clay bazooka that the RMS-099 (MSA-099) Rick Dias used. Designed to fire adhesive rounds to immobilise enemies, the bazooka could also load other types of ammunitions such as explosive rounds or pellet shot rounds.

Its chamber loaded one round while its magazine carried seven rounds.

Shield

The Gundam Mk-II had a shield mounted on either forearm for defence. The shield was made of titanium ceramic composite. The Titans used the RX·M-Sh-VT/S-00018 shield while the AEUG used the RX·M-Sh-VT/S-001 shield it reverse engineered.

The shield was able to block most ballistic and explosive projectiles. It was also effective in melee combat.

RX·M-Sh-VT/S-00018 shield

Known pilots

Variants

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio, Nagano Mamoru and Fujita Kazumi were the principal designers for the version in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam . Fujita Kazumi cleaned up the design.

Below are some early designs and colour schemes of the Gundam Mk-II.

Gunpla

The Gundam Mk-II is one of the most popular gunpla kits with many variants across the different build grades.

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Old kits

The original 1/144 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II gunpla was released in April 1985 as the first of the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Model Series. It sported AEUG colours and came with a water slide decal sheet with number markings for the Titans colours.

The 1/100 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II, the third release of Zeta Gundam Model Series, launched in May 1985 and included a 1/48 scale figure of Kamille Bidan. The 1/220 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II snap-fit kit was released in December 1985.

High Grade (HG)

Bandai released the HG 1/144 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) in July 1990 wearing AEUG colours.

HG 1/144 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)

Real Grade (RG)

Bandai launched the RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) and RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) in 2012. P-Bandai released a limited run of the (AEUG) RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) (RG Limited Color Ver) in 2017.

RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) (RG Limited Color Ver)
P-Bandai RG 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) (RG Limited Color Ver)

High Grade Universal Century (HGUC)

The HGUC 1/144 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) launched in May 2002 in Titans colours following the success of the MG Titans version, making it the first HG Gundam Mk-II in Titans colours.

The Gundam Mk-II in Titans colours was part of the HGUC 1/144 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Metallic Version Set launched in 2004 as a Chara Hobby exclusive quadruple pack.

The Gundam Mk-II in AEUG colours was part of HGUC 1/144 Zeta Gundam Gryphios War triple pack in a 2006 limited release.

HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
HGUC 1/144 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Metallic Version Set
HGUC 1/144 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Metallic Version Set
HGUC 1/144 Zeta Gundam Gryphios War
HGUC 1/144 Zeta Gundam Gryphios War

Bandai released the HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam-Mk II (AEUG) (Revive Ver) and HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam-Mk II (Titans) (Revive Ver) in 2015 as part of the 35th anniversary celebration Revive series. The Revive line features HG designs manufactured with modern technologies to give more details and improved poly-caps for better posing.

HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) (Revive Ver)
HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) (Revive Ver)
HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) (Revive Ver)
HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) (Revive Ver)

The HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk II (AEUG ) (Revive Ver) (21st Century Real Type Ver) is a Gundam Base exclusive launched in 2021 that features Real Type decoration and colours.

HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Revive Ver) (21st Century Real Type Ver)
HGUC 1/144 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Revive Ver) (21st Century Real Type Ver)

Master Grade (MG)

Bandai launched the MG 1/100 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) in July 1998, followed by the MG 1/100 RX–178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) in August 1998.

MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)

Both designs received the Ver 2.0 treatment in October 2005, giving them better joint articulation and build quality for better posing.

MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) Ver 2.0
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) Ver 2.0
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) Ver 2.0
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) Ver 2.0

Bandai released HD Color Ver for both Ver 2.0 models in 2008.

MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) Ver 2.0 (HD Color Ver)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) Ver 2.0 (HD Color Ver)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) Ver 2.0 (HD Color Ver)
MG 1/100 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) Ver 2.0 (HD Color Ver)

Perfect Grade (PG)

The Gundam Mk-II finally became inducted into the sacred halls of Perfect Grade with the release of the PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) in 2001. The PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) followed in 2002.

PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (AEUG)
PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)
PG 1/60 RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)

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