RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 – MechaBay

The RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 was a ground combat mobile suit created by field modification of the RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type, piloted by Shiro Amada.

The model designation “Ez-8” stood for “extra zero-eight,” referring to the 08th MS Team’s extra unit. The name was also a direct reference to the real-life World War 2 M4A3E8 Sherman tank nicknamed “Easy Eight,” which received protection upgrades in a similar manner.

History

During the battle with the Apsaras II, Shiro Amada’s RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type was heavily damaged, necessitating major repair and overhaul. Based on the combat data collected up until that point, as well as feedback from Shiro Amada himself, the Gundam received various modifications. The result became known as Gundam Ez8.

With a very limited number of spare parts available for the Gundam Ground Type, the engineers of the 08th MS Team had to find whatever they could to repair and rebuild the damaged unit. This field modification process resulted in a mobile suit that was lighter and more durable than the original Ground Type, despite the lack of proper Luna Titanium materials.

The Ez8 first saw action in a parachute drop when Shiro and his team were on their way to locate the completed Apsaras III mobile armor. During the same mission, it made its combat debut against Norris Packard’s MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom in a city, where it scored its first major victory, although it lost its left arm in the process.

The Ez8 then finally faced the Apsaras III piloted by Ginias Sahalin in its heavily damaged condition. The complexity of the situation and the Ez8’s battle damage led to it using up its final attack to stop the massive mobile armor, resulting in both units being heavily damaged.

Design

The RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 retained the same beam sabers in the legs and standard RX-79[G] hand armaments. However, its other fixed weapons were changed out, with a pair of 35 mm machine guns mounted in the head and a turret-mounted 12.7 mm anti-personnel machine gun in the chest.

The Ez8’s armor plating and placement was improved overall, with enhanced protection around critical systems. The traditional Gundam “V-fin” on the head was replaced with a sturdier communications antenna better suited for field operations and extended communication range.

The Ez8 retained the backpack equipment rack from the standard RX-79[G], allowing it to keep its ability to mount parachute packs or other field equipment options. The mobile suit’s weight was reduced compared to the original Ground Type, improving its mobility and response time.

Armaments

The RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8’s standard weapons were head-mounted 35 mm machine guns for ranged attacks, and two beam sabers for melee combat.

35 mm machine guns

A pair of 35 mm machine guns were mounted in the head of the Ez8, replacing the periscope equipment of the original Ground Type. These rapid-fire weapons provided effective anti-mobile suit and anti-aircraft capabilities with a higher rate of fire than conventional vulcan guns.

12.7 mm vulcan gun

A turret-mounted 12.7 mm anti-personnel machine gun was installed in the chest. This weapon was specifically designed for engaging infantry and light vehicles, providing the Ez8 with enhanced battlefield versatility. The mount allowed for a limited degree of independent targeting.

Beam sabers

The Ez8 had two beam sabers stored in the side of each lower leg. The beam saber was a small device held in the mobile suit’s hands when operated and was powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emitted a blade of plasma contained by an I-field and was capable of cutting through almost any armor not treated with anti-beam coating.

100 mm machine gun

The standard armament for Federation’s mobile suit ground forces during the One Year War that was developed by Yashima Heavy Industries. Equipped with a box magazine and folding stock, it had excellent rate of fire and was easy to wield. The weapon could utilize three different types of ammunitions: HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank), APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding-Sabot), and HESH (High Explosive Squash Head).

Like the Gundam Ground Type, the Gundam Ez8 carried two spare magazines on its side skirt armor.

Beam rifle

The same beam rifle as used by the Gundam Ground Type, it was a redesign of the RX-78-2 Gundam’s XBR-M-79-07G beam rifle. Instead of the 79-07G’s large movable sensor, this rifle was fitted with the BP-SS-001 composite box-type sensor system, granting the weapon improved targeting precision.

180 mm cannon

A transportable cannon developed by Yashima Heavy Industries as a long-range weapon for use in 1G environment. Its design was thought to have referenced the Zimmad Corporation’s ZIM/M-T-K175C Magella Top Cannon. It used a six-rounds box magazine that was inserted into the top. The most notable feature of this weapon was that it could be broken down into compact components for transport in the weapon container carried by the mobile suit.

Improved short shield

Also known as “Improved Shield”, this forearm-mounted shield was a reinforced version of the shield commonly used by the Gundam Ground Type, with a small additional armor plate attached to the surface that provided additional protection against projectiles and increased overall durability. It retained the Gundam Ground Type’s color, and was not repainted in Ez8’s white color.

Optional equipment

Like the Gundam Ground Type, the Ez8 had a container rack on its back for carrying weapon containers, parachute packs, etc. In addition, the rack was equipped with a foldable searchlight and certain sections could unfold into a forklift-like mechanism for attaching the container.

Known pilots

Behind the scenes

The RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 was designed by Okawara Kunio for Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. The design emphasised the harsh realities of field maintenance and repair during wartime, showing how military units adapted and modified equipment based on available resources and battlefield experience.

The “Ez8” designation and the mobile suit’s development philosophy directly referenced the M4A3E8 Sherman tank from World War II, which received similar field upgrades and modifications. This historical parallel reinforced the series’ focus on realistic military operations and the ingenuity of frontline personnel.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

External links

RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 on the Gundam Wiki
RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 on MAHQ