TGM-79C GM Cannes
Two-seat training mobile suit for École Du Ciel academy.
The TGM-79C GM Cannes was a TGM-79 GM Trainer variant built for training the pilots of the École Du Ciel academy. It was one of the primary training mobile suits employed by the École Du Ciel academy along with the TGM-79C GM Canard to help new pilots adapt to the GM series of mobile suits.
Development
The GM Cannes was developed specifically to address the unique training requirements of the École Du Ciel academy. Unlike standard training mobile suits, the GM Cannes featured an expanded cockpit fitted with two seats to accommodate both a student and instructor simultaneously, allowing for real-time guidance and instruction during training exercises.
The mobile suit incorporated a wireless remote-control system, termed “Synchro Mode”, that allowed the instructor/pilot to take control of nearby GM Canards during an emergency. This innovative safety system represented a significant advancement in training mobile suit technology, ensuring that instructors could intervene immediately when students encountered difficulties or dangerous situations.
Model number
The TGM-79C GM Cannes model number can be broken down as follows: ‘T’ indicates it’s a training variant, ‘GM’ denotes it as a GM-series mobile suit, ‘79’ refers to the base RGM-79 GM design, ‘C’ likely indicates an improved or custom variant, and ‘Cannes’ refers to the French city, maintaining the French naming convention used throughout the École Du Ciel mobile suit series.
Design features
The GM Cannes features an expanded cockpit fitted with two seats to accommodate a student and instructor. This dual-cockpit configuration allowed for immersive training experiences where instructors could provide real-time guidance whilst students operated the mobile suit’s primary controls.
The Cannes incorporated a wireless remote-control system, termed “Synchro Mode”, that allowed the instructor/pilot to take control of nearby GM Canards during an emergency. This system represented a crucial safety feature that could prevent training accidents and allowed a single instructor to oversee multiple student pilots simultaneously.
The mobile suit maintained the robust construction typical of training units, designed to withstand the rigours of inexperienced pilots whilst providing a stable platform for learning fundamental mobile suit operation techniques.
Armament
Beam saber
The GM Cannes has a beam saber stored in the left side of the backpack. It is a small device held in the mobile suit’s hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. It emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through most armour not treated with anti-beam coating.
Rifle (loadable paint ball ammo)
A weapon with non-lethal ammo used for mock battles. This specialised training weapon allowed students to engage in realistic combat exercises without the lethal consequences of actual beam weaponry. The paintball ammunition provided visual confirmation of hits whilst maintaining training realism.
Operational history
The GM Cannes saw extensive use at the École Du Ciel training academy, where it served as the primary instructor mobile suit. Multiple pilots operated the GM Cannes throughout its service life, including Asuna Elmarit, Erisia Nocton, Kerry Signet, Forma Guardner, Linny, Yahagi Franziback, and Emilu Voigtlander.
The mobile suit’s dual-cockpit configuration made it invaluable for advanced training scenarios where close instructor supervision was required. The Synchro Mode system proved particularly useful during large-scale training exercises involving multiple GM Canards, allowing single instructors to maintain oversight of entire training squadrons.
During combat situations involving Marie Albertia’s Pirates, the GM Cannes likely provided command and control functions whilst coordinating the defensive efforts of student pilots operating GM Canards.
Known pilots
- Asuna Elmarit - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
- Erisia Nocton - Student pilot who later became a Titans ace
- Kerry Signet - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
- Forma Guardner - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
- Linny - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
- Yahagi Franziback - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
- Emilu Voigtlander - Student pilot at École Du Ciel academy
Variants
No known variants of the TGM-79C GM Cannes exist, though it was part of a family of training mobile suits that included the TGM-79 GM Trainer and TGM-79C GM Canard.
Behind the scenes
The TGM-79C GM Cannes was designed by Sayama Yoshinori for the Mobile Suit Gundam École du Ciel manga series written and illustrated by Mikimoto Haruhiko. The mobile suit represents an innovative approach to training mobile suit design, emphasising safety and instruction capabilities over combat performance.
The Synchro Mode system concept reflects real-world training aircraft designs where instructors can take control from students when necessary, translated into the mobile suit context. This feature demonstrates the practical considerations involved in designing effective training equipment for complex military systems.
Appearances
Manga
- Mobile Suit Gundam École du Ciel (2001-2011)