MS-05 Zaku I

In the Mobile Suit Gundam universe, the MS-05 Zaku I was the first successful mobile suit design to be developed by the Zeonic Company in the Principality of Zeon's quest to develop a combat-capable mobile suit that used the AMBAC System and the Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor. The Zaku I was first designed and built in U.C. 0075, winning over the EMS-04 Zudah (later renumbered the EMS-10 Zudah in Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO) in a special competition to decide Zeon's first-ever active-service mobile suit. It was put into mass-production later that year as the MS-05B Zaku I. The last production run of the MS-05B is in U.C. 0077, before it was replaced by the newer MS-06 Zaku II.

The MS-05A Zaku I was the first attempt made by the Principality of Zeon. It was also the first mobile suit to use the Minovsky-lonesco fusion reactor and mimic human movements. Called the Early Type by later pilots, this was a suit on which many famous ace pilots trained. During November 0075, 27 of these units were assigned to new pilots for evaluation. Among them were Ramba Ral, the "Blue Giant," and the Black Tri-Stars Gaia, Mash, and Ortega. The feedback from the pilots helped engineers in their development of the MS-05B, which was different from the A model with its redesigned cockpit, higher-output power plant, and redesigned armor.

The MS-05A was not mass-produced as intended, labeled unfit for combat before the start of the One Year War. Still, the success of these suits prompted the Zeon Navy to commission ships that could carry them into combat, primarily the Musai-Class Light Cruiser. The service entry of the Zaku II relegated all Zaku Is for rear-guard use as supply and construction suits, although they would be used for colony-gassing operations in the early stages of the war. Later, with the number of machines lost after Operation British and the Battle of Loum, many of these machines were brought back to the front lines until losses could be replaced. Many units were assigned to the Midnight Fenrir Corps on the eve of the Second Earth Descent Operation. The MS-05A would continue to serve as patrol units and workers until the end of the war.

Outside Universal Century

While the Zaku II design has appeared in numerous series outside the UC universe, such as the CE era of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny with the ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior and ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom, the Zaku I has influenced several alternate universe MS models, such as the CE era's YMF-01B Proto GINN and the ZGMF-999A ZAKU Mass-Production Trial Type. The Zaku I has appeared in its entirety (although slightly redesigned) as the MS-05 Borjarnon Gavane Gooney Custom in 1999's Turn A Gundam, set in CC 2345. The Borjarnon Gavane Gooney Custom, along with the MS-06 Borjarnon, are actually just a single excavated MS-05B Zaku I, and hundreds of MS-06F Zaku II's.

Variations

The Zaku I, like many of the Zeon's mobile suit lines, had a few variations of the basic model, such as the MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type and MS-05J Zaku I Land-Warfare Type.

MS-05J Zaku I Land-Warfare Type

The land warfare Zaku I was little more than a stock Zaku I repainted in region-specific colors.

Few of these suits would see action, for while the Zaku I series was no longer being mass produced, it was not difficult to obtain one. Most Zaku I's were assigned to pilots that requested them, or to newly-formed squadrons that were unable to obtain the best equipment available. Some would see action in southeast Asia, with at least one assigned to Commander Topp. More would be assigned to the Midnight Fenrir teams. And while Manning and Swaggard would eventually take on additional mobile suits, veteran Matt Austin would keep his Zaku I throughout the remainder of the war, adding different weapons and option parts to suit his liking. These included a shield, the MS-07B Gouf’s heat sword, and even a shield salvaged from a fallen RGM-79 GM.

MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type

The MS-05S Zaku I Commander Type was the personal mobile suit of Lieutenant Commander Gerhart Schmeisser, the founder and leader of the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Before the One Year War, Schmeisser was already a decorated mobile suit pilot, and in the opening days of the war proved himself as a soldier. However, during an attack on a facility in New Guinea to clear the way for the Operation British colony drop, Schmeisser was severely wounded in action when a booby-trapped railgun facility blew up. Schmeisser survived, though his injuries prevented him from returning to active combat duty. Despite this handicap, Schmeisser persuaded Admiral Kycillia Zabi to create the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Under his command, the Midnight Fenrir would go on to distinguish themselves in the One Year War. Despite the restriction from combat duty, Schmeisser still used his MS-05S in training missions and in simulations, providing a valuable service to his team even though he could not fight.

The differences between this mobile suit and a regular MS-05B Zaku I were small. The only major differences were a second shoulder dome on the right shoulder; the striking (and often misleading) white and silver custom paint job, and a new shield mounting the fearsome heat saber seen on the MS-07B Gouf. The obvious bonuses of a commander’s type mobile suit aside, the MS-05S was little different from the standard Zaku I being used by the Home Defense Corps, and various out-of-the-way Zeon bases.

Model versions

Bandai has released the MS-05 in 1/144 and 1/100 versions, with the Master Grade line featuring both the standard and Black Tri-Stars versions.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (anime)
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079 (anime)
• Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (manga)

References

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079 DVD linear booklet pg. 10 for Zudah material