The MS-14 Gelgoog: A Revolutionary Mobile Suit
A New Era in Mobile Suit Technology
In the midst of the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon was determined to stay ahead of the Earth Federation Forces in mobile suit technology. The MS-06 Zaku II series had served as Zeon’s main force space-use mobile suit, but by the middle stage of the war, it was clear that a new, more advanced mobile suit was needed.
The Birth of the Gelgoog
Four designs were submitted to replace the Zaku II, including the MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type, the MS-09R Rick Dom, and the newly designed MS-15 Gyan and MS-11 (later MS-14) Gelgoog. However, it was the Gelgoog that caught the attention of the military from the start.
A Joint Development Effort
The Gelgoog was a collaborative effort between Zeon’s three largest arms manufacturers: Zeonic, Zimmad, and MIP. Zeonic handled the basic production and avionics, Zimmad was responsible for the thrusters, and MIP developed the weapons. This joint effort resulted in a mobile suit that was equipped with beam weapons, including a beam rifle and beam sword.
Delayed but Not Denied
Although the development of beam weapons delayed the Gelgoog’s completion by three months, it finally rolled out in October, U.C. 0079. The early production variant was impressive, but it wasn’t until late November that the production of beam weapons began.
A Rival to the Gundam
The Gelgoog’s specifications were said to rival those of the Federation’s RX-78-2 Gundam. However, due to its late rollout, it only participated in the last month of the war and had limited impact on the outcome. Additionally, many Gelgoogs were piloted by poorly trained new recruits, who were unable to fully utilize the mobile suit’s high performance.
Legacy of the Gelgoog
Despite its limited impact on the war, the Gelgoog was a highly regarded mobile suit that influenced the development of later mobile suits. Its legacy continued even after the war, with both the Federation and Zeon Remnants adding to the Gelgoog’s lineage.
Variants of the Gelgoog
The Gelgoog had several variants, including:
- MS-14A Gelgoog
- MS-14B Gelgoog High Mobility Type
- MS-14B Gelgoog Uma Lightning Custom
- MS-14BR Gelgoog High Mobility R Type
- MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon
- MS-14C-1A Gelgoog Cannon
- MS-14C-2 Gelgoog Mid-Range Fire Support Type
- MS-14D Desert Gelgoog
- MS-14F Gelgoog Marine
- MS-14Fs Gelgoog Marine Commander Type
- MS-14G Gelgoog Ground Type
- MS-14GD Gelgoog G
- MS-14JG Gelgoog Jäger
- MS-14J ReGelgu
- MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type
- MS-14U Gelgoog (Outer Space Type)
- OMS-14RF RF Gelgoog
- MS-14 Gelgoog [Stutzer]
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