The Big Tray-Class: A Formidable Land Battleship
The Big Tray-class is a series of massive land battleships that first appeared in the iconic anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam. These behemoths of the battlefield have also been featured in other notable series, including Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team and Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front.
Design and Capabilities
The Big Tray-class is a hovercraft-based land battleship, propelled by powerful thermonuclear jet engines. This allows it to rapidly traverse various terrains, including water. Its impressive arsenal includes three triple gun turrets, two large caliber cannons at the front, and eight twin machine gun turrets. Some variants of the Big Tray-class have been equipped with mega particle cannons, significantly increasing their firepower.
Role and History
Originally designed as mobile command centers for the Earth Federation Forces, the Big Tray-class played a vital role in the One Year War. With the disruption of long-range communications due to Minovsky particles, these battleships became essential for issuing orders from the frontline. During Operation Odessa, 12 Big Tray-class ships participated in battle, including General Revil’s flagship, the Bataan. Several of these ships were used as decoys, while others provided artillery support alongside the 44th Composite Regiment.
Variants and Legacy
The Big Tray-class has spawned several variants, including the Heavy Fork-class and the Mini Tray-class. The latter is a smaller, faster, and more maneuverable version of the Big Tray-class, often serving as secondary command centers for smaller task forces. Although the Big Tray-class’s strategic value declined after the One Year War, one ship, the Queen Turtle, participated in the defense of the New Guinea base during the Gryps War.
In Popular Culture
The Big Tray-class has made appearances in various Gundam games, including Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front, Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon, and Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link. Its iconic design has also been featured in anime episodes and manga series.
Technical Specifications
- Overall Height: 85 meters
- Overall Length: 215 meters
- Overall Width: 134 meters
- Propulsion: Thermonuclear Jet Engine
- Armaments: Large Bow Gun, Triple Gun, Twin Machine Gun
The Big Tray-class is a testament to the ingenuity and technological prowess of the Earth Federation Forces during the One Year War. Its impressive capabilities and versatility have cemented its place in the annals of Gundam history.
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