RX-93 ν Gundam DFF – MechaBay | Char's Counterattack Mobile Suit Variations

The RX-93 ν Gundam DFF (Double Fin Funnel) was a modified version of the RX-93 ν Gundam used by Londo Bell during the Second Neo Zeon War.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model¹ and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “93” in the model code denoted it was developed in UC 0093. The “DFF” designation stood for “Double Fin Funnel”, indicating the mobile suit’s enhanced remote weapon configuration.

Development

The RX-93 ν Gundam DFF was developed as an enhanced variant of the standard ν Gundam by Anaheim Electronics. The modification was implemented to increase the mobile suit’s all-range attack capabilities during the Second Neo Zeon War in UC 0093.

The upgrade involved replacing the ν Gundam’s backpack beam saber slot with a joint to mount an additional rack of remote-controlled fin funnels, thus doubling their number from six to twelve. This modification sacrificed one beam saber to achieve significantly enhanced all-range combat capabilities.

Design

The ν Gundam DFF retained all the advanced features of the original ν Gundam, including the psychoframe cockpit frame that enhanced Newtype pilot responsiveness. The mobile suit’s learning computer system continued to collect battle data and adapt to the pilot’s fighting style.

The primary modification was the addition of a second fin funnel rack on the backpack, positioned opposite the original rack. This configuration provided improved balance and allowed for more complex attack patterns using the doubled complement of remote weapons.

The mobile suit could also mount the Heavy Weapon System designated as FA-93HWS, making it compatible with additional armor and weapon systems when required for extended combat operations.

Armaments

The ν Gundam DFF utilised the same core armament as the standard ν Gundam, with the notable exception of reduced beam saber complement to accommodate the additional fin funnel rack.

Vulcan guns

A pair of vulcan guns were mounted in the ν Gundam DFF’s head. The vulcan guns were used primarily against light-armored support units and for missile defence. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.

Beam saber

Unlike the standard ν Gundam which carried two beam sabers, the DFF variant carried only one beam saber stored in the recharge rack in the left forearm. The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade.

Beam rifle

The beam rifle had a power rating of 3.8 MW and was powered by rechargeable energy caps. It included an attached grenade launcher with 1 round, providing additional firepower options during combat.

New hyper bazooka

The new hyper bazooka was clip-fed with 4 rounds per clip plus 1 round in the chamber, and could be stored on the backpack storage rack when not in use. This weapon delivered devastating damage against heavily armored targets.

Shield

The shield mounted on the left forearm included a beam cannon with a power rating of 7.8 MW and 4 small missiles, providing both defensive protection and additional offensive capabilities.

Fin funnels

The defining feature of the ν Gundam DFF was its complement of twelve fin funnels stored on dual backpack storage racks. This doubled the standard ν Gundam’s fin funnel count, providing exceptional all-range combat capabilities.

The fin funnels were remote-controlled weapons that could be deployed independently to attack targets from multiple angles. Each fin funnel was equipped with a beam weapon and could operate at considerable distances from the main mobile suit. The doubled complement allowed for more complex attack patterns and provided redundancy in case of individual unit loss during combat.

Service history

The ν Gundam DFF served as a testbed for enhanced all-range combat capabilities during the Second Neo Zeon War. The mobile suit demonstrated the effectiveness of increased fin funnel complements in engaging multiple targets simultaneously and providing comprehensive battlefield coverage.

The DFF variant’s compatibility with the Heavy Weapon System designation FA-93HWS made it a versatile platform capable of adapting to various combat scenarios during the conflict.

Legacy

The ν Gundam DFF concept demonstrated the potential for modular upgrades to successful mobile suit designs. The variant’s enhanced all-range combat capabilities influenced later mobile suit developments and established design principles for remote weapon systems that would be applied to future projects.

The DFF variant’s success in testing led to consideration of similar upgrades for other mobile suit platforms, contributing to the evolution of Newtype use mobile suits in the post-Second Neo Zeon War period.

Known pilots

Amuro Ray

Behind the scenes

Hitoshi Fukuchi was the original mechanical designer of the ν Gundam DFF. The mobile suit first appeared in Char’s Counterattack Mobile Suit Variations (CCA-MSV), expanding the design variations available from the original Char’s Counterattack movie.

The ν Gundam DFF represents one of several variant designs that explored enhanced capabilities for the ν Gundam platform, showcasing how the mobile suit could be adapted for different tactical requirements during the Second Neo Zeon War.

Gunpla

Bandai has released the ν Gundam DFF as expansion parts for existing ν Gundam model kits. The Master Grade 1/100 “Double Fin Funnel Custom Unit for RX-93 ν Gundam (Ver. Ka)” was released as a Premium Bandai exclusive in 2013, whilst the Real Grade 1/144 “Expansion Parts for ν Gundam Double Fin Funnel Custom Unit” was released as a Premium Bandai exclusive in 2019.

These expansion sets allow builders to convert their standard ν Gundam kits into the DFF configuration, demonstrating the modular nature of the original design concept.

External links

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