XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom
Quatre's upgraded Sandrock with ZERO System integration.
The XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom was the upgraded version of the XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Piloted by Quatre Raberba Winner, it was upgraded by Mike Howard aboard the battleship Peacemillion in AC 195. Modified for space combat, it featured enhanced verniers for zero-gravity mobility and gained a beam machine gun for mid-range combat capability. Like the original, the Sandrock Custom could function as a commander unit for team operations.
Overview
An upgrade of the original Gundam Sandrock to make it capable of space combat, the Sandrock Custom featured verniers added to the shoulder, back skirt, backpack, and legs to increase mobility in space. As the added backpack vernier took the place of the mounting point for the shield, the Gundam Sandrock Custom could no longer use the cross crusher, although it gained a handheld beam machine gun for better mid-range combat capability.
Like the original, the Sandrock Custom could function as a commander unit for team operations, utilizing its advanced communication and information analysis systems. This capability was temporarily enhanced when Heero Yuy secretly installed a component of the ZERO System to assist Quatre in coordinating the other Gundams during a critical assault.
Design
Concept and development
As the military and political strife plaguing the Earth Sphere in AC 195 would reach a decisive conclusion in space, Quatre Raberba Winner returned to space with his Sandrock to join the battle, despite the fact the Gundam was specifically designed for terrestrial operations. Aboard the independent battleship Peacemillion, Gundam supporter Mike Howard and his team upgraded the mobile suit for space combat, creating the Gundam Sandrock Custom.
The upgrade focused on enhancing mobility in space through additional verniers whilst maintaining the mobile suit’s close-combat specialization. The mobile suit retained its Gundanium alloy construction and robust armor. The addition of a beam machine gun addressed the original’s lack of mid-range firepower, though the trade-off was the loss of the cross crusher capability.
Later, over Quatre’s protests, Heero Yuy temporarily installed a component of the XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero’s ZERO System into the Sandrock Custom, allowing Quatre to coordinate the other Gundam pilots in an assault against White Fang’s mobile dolls. Unlike Wing Gundam Zero, Sandrock Custom’s ZERO System had to be manually activated by keying in the command code “ZERO”. After using the system successfully, Quatre removed it upon returning to Peacemillion as he felt it was unnecessary.
Technical features
The Gundam Sandrock Custom’s primary modifications centered on space combat capability. Verniers were added to the shoulders, back skirt, backpack, and legs, significantly enhancing the mobile suit’s mobility in zero-gravity environments. These thruster improvements addressed the original Sandrock’s limitations in space combat.
The backpack vernier placement necessitated relocating the shield’s storage point, preventing the formation of the cross crusher weapon. However, the trade-off was deemed acceptable given the enhanced mobility and the addition of ranged firepower through the beam machine gun.
The advanced communication and information analysis systems from the original design were retained, maintaining the mobile suit’s commander unit capabilities. The temporary ZERO System installation further enhanced these capabilities, though Quatre chose to remove it after successfully using it.
Armament
Heat Shotels
These heat-radiating curved blades remained the Gundam Sandrock Custom’s main weapons. With one in each hand, the mobile suit could cut an enemy in half simultaneously. They could also be used as throwing weapons. When not in use, they were stored on the backpack. The distinctive curved shape maximized cutting power whilst the heat emission weakened enemy armor.
Beam Machine Gun
A compact, handheld beam firearm that addressed the original Sandrock’s lack of mid-range capability. Whilst its shots were weaker than those of standard beam rifles, its rate of fire was much greater, providing sustained firepower against multiple enemies or for suppressing enemy forces.
Shield
Designed with a snakehead motif, the shield featured two claws as “fangs” and two shield flashers as “eyes”. The shield possessed anti-beam coating for defense against beam weapons. The shield flashers could release a blinding flash to confuse enemies. The shield remained mounted but could no longer be used as part of the cross crusher due to the backpack vernier modifications.
Vulcan Guns
A pair of shell-firing armaments built into the head. Whilst possessing low offensive power, they were used to restrict enemy movement and lay down suppressive fire due to their rapid-fire capability.
Homing Missiles
A small automatic tracking missile stored in both shoulders, providing limited long-range capability. These missiles were the mobile suit’s primary ranged weapons aside from the beam machine gun.
Special equipment
ZERO System (temporary)
A component of the Wing Gundam Zero’s cockpit interface system was secretly installed by Heero Yuy to assist Quatre in leading the other Gundams during a critical battle. Unlike Wing Gundam Zero, the Sandrock Custom’s ZERO System had to be manually activated by keying in the command code “ZERO”. After using the system successfully to coordinate an assault against White Fang’s mobile dolls, Quatre removed it upon returning to Peacemillion as he felt it was unnecessary.
Self-destruct system
The Gundam Sandrock Custom was built with a self-destruct system that the pilot could activate via a remote detonator in the cockpit. The system was designed to overload the mobile suit’s power systems and had sufficient explosive power to destroy several city blocks.
Shield Flashers
Mounted on the shield as the “eyes” of the snakehead design, these devices could release a blinding flash to confuse and disorient enemy pilots.
Operational history
Eve Wars
The Gundam Sandrock Custom participated in the battles against White Fang during the Eve Wars, the final conflict of AC 195. The mobile suit’s enhanced space combat capabilities proved effective against enemy mobile doll squadrons, whilst its commander unit functions enabled coordination of the Gundam team.
During a critical assault against White Fang’s mobile dolls, Quatre used the temporarily installed ZERO System to coordinate the other Gundam pilots, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining the Sandrock Custom’s command systems with the predictive capabilities of the ZERO System.
The Sandrock Custom participated in the final battles to prevent White Fang’s Libra space fortress from dropping on Earth, utilizing its heat shotels and beam machine gun to engage enemy forces whilst coordinating allied movements.
Production
Design and development
The Gundam Sandrock Custom was designed by Okawara Kunio for the 1995 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. The design retained the Middle Eastern aesthetics and snakehead shield motif of the original Sandrock whilst adding visible thruster enhancements.
The “Custom” (or “Kai”, meaning “modified” in Japanese) designation indicated the mobile suit’s upgraded status for space combat.
Reception
The Gundam Sandrock Custom has been featured in model kit releases and various video games. An HGAC version was released as a P-Bandai exclusive in 2021. The mobile suit appears in Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON and other titles.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | XXXG-01SR2 |
| Code Name | Gundam Sandrock Custom |
| Unit Type | Custom desert combat close-quarters commander mobile suit |
| Manufacturer | Mike Howard |
| Operator | G Team |
| Pilot | Quatre Raberba Winner |
| Overall Height | 16.5 metres |
| Weight | 7.9 tonnes |
| Armor Material | Gundanium alloy |
| Power Plant | Ultracompact fusion reactor |
| Accommodation | Pilot only, in spherical cockpit in torso |
| Fixed Armament | 2 × vulcan gun; 2 × homing missile |
| Hand-carried Armament | 2 × heat shotel; beam machine gun; shield with 2 × shield flasher |
| Optional Equipment | ZERO System (temporary); self-destruct system |
Appearances
The XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom appeared in the following works:
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (anime series, episodes 44-49)
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (replaced by EW version)
- Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Glory of the Losers (manga)
- Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE (episode 25)
- Various video games including Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxi Boost ON and SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays
External links
- XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom at The Gundam Wiki
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