Samson
Ground transport vehicle mass produced by the Principality of Zeon.
The Samson was a ground transport vehicle mass produced by the Principality of Zeon for transporting mobile suits during the One Year War.
History
The Principality of Zeon developed the Samson as a mega-size truck to ensure strategic mobility of its mobile suits on Earth. It played a vital role in transporting mobile suits through civilian areas while concealing their presence.
Captain Ramba Ral’s unit used Samsons extensively to transport mobile suits and vehicles. After Ral’s death, his partner Crowley Hamon utilised the detached Samson Tops as combat vehicles against the White Base due to her troops’ lack of weaponry.
In Eastern Europe, Zeon ground units including the Stein Battalion used Samsons for resupplying mobile suit weapons and ammunition after recapturing the Federation military headquarters in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in November UC 0079. Another Samson transported Iria Solari’s MS-06F Zaku II to the Odessa space port later that month.
The Earth Federation Forces recognised the vehicle’s value after the war. In UC 0080, they began producing Samsons using captured production lines, leading to widespread use in certain parts of Earth. A civilian variant was also manufactured.
Design
The Samson consisted of a trailer platform towed by a detachable front tractor unit known as the Samson Top. The trailer could transport one standard Zaku-type mobile suit or an MS-07B Gouf, with a canopy cover available to conceal the cargo.
The Samson Top could detach from the trailer and function independently as a combat hovercraft. While primarily designed as an escape mechanism, it could also serve as a troop transport due to its large cabin. However, the trailer section had no auxiliary engine or driver’s seat, rendering it immobile if separated from the Samson Top.
Armaments
The Samson’s armaments were mounted on the Samson Top, allowing it to defend itself when detached from the trailer.
2-barrel machine guns
A pair of 2-barrel machine gun turrets were mounted on top of the cab. These weapons could be used while the Samson Top was attached to the trailer or operating independently. They provided defence against infantry and light vehicles.
Behind the scenes
Okawara Kunio designed the Samson for Mobile Suit Gundam, while Yamane Kimitoshi redesigned it for Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance.
The vehicle was known simply as Samson since the release of Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979. It was renamed Samson Trailer when released as a 1/144 EX Model kit in 2006.
Gunpla
Bandai released the 1/144 EX Model Samson Trailer in 2006.