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The Birth of a Legend: MS-05A Zaku I Early Type

In the pursuit of creating a combat-capable mobile weapon, the Zeonic Company in the Principality of Zeon developed the MS-05A Zaku I Early Type, a groundbreaking mobile suit that would change the course of history.

Design and Development

The MS-05A Zaku I Early Type was born from the MS-04 Prototype Zaku, incorporating cutting-edge technologies that would become standard in all mobile suits. This innovative design led to the development of variants such as the Dokuro Zaku and the MS-05HS Prototype Zaku Minovsky Particle Scattering Equipment Type.

Key Features

This mobile suit boasts an impressive head height of 17.5 meters, with a maximum weight of 65.0 metric tons and an empty weight of 50.3 metric tons. Powered by a Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor, the Zaku I Early Type is equipped with a pilot-only cockpit and Super-Hard Steel Alloy armor.

Armaments

The Zaku I Early Type comes equipped with a range of armaments, including the ZMP-47D 105mm Machine Gun, Heat Hawk, Shotgun, Initial Type Bazooka, 280mm Zaku Bazooka, and Double Bazooka.

Real-World Impact

The MS-05A Zaku I Early Type was designed by Kunio Okawara, a renowned mechanical designer. This mobile suit has made appearances in various media, including manga and video games such as Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front.

Trivia

Did you know that only 27 Zaku I Early Type units were produced? Despite being rendered obsolete by the Zaku II, these suits continued to see action in the One Year War and were even deployed by the Zeon Remnants in U.C. 0096.

Technology and Combat Characteristics

The Zaku I Early Type was the world’s first nuclear-powered MS to achieve combat status in the UC timeline. Its thermonuclear reactor provided an unlimited power source, while its head-mounted mono-eye camera system and laser sensors granted the pilot excellent visibility. The mobile suit’s powerful computer facilitated its operation, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.

History

The Zaku I Early Type was first developed in December U.C. 0074 as the YMS-05, with the design being selected for Zeon’s “SUIT Project”. It wasn’t until the following year that it was put into mass production as the MS-05B Zaku I. Although it was eventually replaced by the MS-06 Zaku II, the Zaku I continued to play a significant role in the One Year War and beyond.