Zanzibar II-class – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

The Zanzibar II-class was a variant of the Zanzibar-class mobile cruiser fielded by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War in UC 0079. The class represented an improved design with enhanced firepower and mobile suit capacity compared to its predecessor.

History

The Zanzibar II-class was developed as part of Zeon’s United Maintenance Plan, an initiative launched near the end of the One Year War to optimise existing machine performance whilst streamlining construction and maintenance costs. The class incorporated lessons learned from the original Zanzibar-class operations and featured significant improvements in combat capability.

The most notable deployment of the class occurred during Operation Stardust in UC 0083, when the Lili Marleen served as the flagship of the Cima Fleet. Under the command of Cima Garahau, the vessel joined the Delaz Fleet for the operation aimed at demonstrating Zeon’s continued military capability.

However, Cima ultimately betrayed Anavel Gato and the Delaz Fleet during the final phase of Operation Stardust. The Lili Marleen was subsequently destroyed by Kou Uraki piloting the RX-78GP03 Gundam GP03 Dendrobium near the conflict’s conclusion.

Design

The Zanzibar II-class retained the basic atmospheric flight capabilities of the original Zanzibar design whilst incorporating substantial improvements in firepower and operational capacity. Like its predecessor, the class was capable of operating on Earth through sustained rocket thrust, though it remained dependent on external boosters for atmospheric launch into space.

The most significant enhancement was the addition of four 2-barrel secondary gun turrets, which dramatically increased the vessel’s combat effectiveness. This upgrade made the Zanzibar II-class as powerful as the Earth Federation’s Magellan-class battleships, a considerable achievement for a mobile cruiser.

Dimensional specifications

The Zanzibar II-class measured 255 metres in overall length, 120 metres in height, and 223 metres in width. With a maximum gross weight of 42,500 tonnes, the class represented a substantial investment in materials and construction resources during a period when Zeon was facing increasing supply constraints.

Propulsion system

The class featured an improved propulsion system with six primary rocket engines compared to the four engines of the original Zanzibar design. This enhancement provided better atmospheric flight performance due to increased thrust and more aerodynamic design characteristics.

The additional engines enabled improved manoeuvrability in atmospheric operations whilst maintaining the capability for sustained flight periods necessary for Earth-to-space transit missions.

Mobile suit capabilities

The Zanzibar II-class could carry eight mobile suits in its hangar, representing a significant increase over the original design’s capacity. Alternatively, the vessel could accommodate four mobile suits plus one mobile armor, providing flexibility in mission loadouts.

The class featured two notable improvements in mobile suit operations: an external side-mounted catapult for faster deployment and a rear launch/recovery deck located between the engines. These enhancements allowed more efficient mobile suit operations compared to the original Zanzibar’s ventral hatch deployment system.

Armaments

The Zanzibar II-class carried a substantial armament suite that significantly exceeded its predecessor’s firepower.

Main guns

Two 2-barrel main gun turrets provided the primary offensive capability. One turret was mounted on the ship’s dorsal hull aft of the bridge, whilst the second was positioned on the ventral hull in a chin mount configuration. These weapons could engage both surface vessels and aerial targets with considerable effect.

Secondary guns

Four 2-barrel secondary gun turrets supplemented the main armament, providing the class with multiple engagement capability against various target types. Unlike the fixed cannons of the original Zanzibar-class, these secondary guns featured limited traverse capability, though their field of fire could not cover the vessel’s rear arc.

Anti-aircraft defence

Eight 120mm machine gun turrets provided defensive capability against mobile suits, missiles, and fighter aircraft. Four guns were mounted on the dorsal hull behind the main gun turret, whilst four were positioned on the ventral hull. These rapid-fire weapons were housed in retractable hatches and proved effective against small, fast-moving targets.

Missile systems

Two large launch tubes could fire J-missiles, weapons capable of seriously damaging or destroying enemy vessels in a single attack. These missiles provided long-range strike capability and served as a significant deterrent against enemy capital ships.

Support craft

The Zanzibar II-class was equipped with a Komusai II shuttle, an upgraded version of the atmospheric entry craft used by the original Zanzibar design. This shuttle provided additional transport capacity and atmospheric entry capability for personnel and small equipment loads.

Operational history

The Zanzibar II-class proved effective during its limited operational deployment, demonstrating the value of the improvements incorporated into the design. The enhanced firepower and mobile suit capacity made the class a formidable opponent for Federation forces during the later stages of the conflict.

The class’s atmospheric flight capabilities proved particularly valuable during Earth-based operations, allowing Zeon forces to maintain mobile cruiser support even in planetary environments where space-optimised vessels could not operate effectively.

Behind the scenes

The Zanzibar II-class was designed by Katoki Hajime, Shoji Kawamori, Mika Akitaka, Junya Ishigaki, and Yasushi Ishizu for Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The design represented an evolution of the original Zanzibar concept whilst maintaining the distinctive Zeon aesthetic.

The class name continues the Zeon tradition of naming vessels after geographical locations, with Zanzibar referencing the island archipelago off the East African coast.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

External links

Zanzibar II class on MAHQ
Zanzibar II-class on the Gundam Wiki