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The MS-05B Zaku I was a mobile suit introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam.

Technology & Combat Characteristics[]

The MS-05B was the late production variant of the Zaku I and the first mobile suit assigned to combat units.[2] An improvement over the MS-05A Zaku I Early Type,[3] the B Type was visually identical to the A Type, but featured an improved cockpit design and better armor material.[2] Like its predecessor, the MS-05B's power transmission pipes were all fixed and contained inside its armor. However, as the B Type saw wider deployment than the A Type, the flaws of this design quickly became apparent: since the power pipes took up most of its internal space, it was very difficult to improve its generator output or swap out parts. The structures of its limbs were also very complex due to the internalized power system. These problems would later be addressed by the MS-06 Zaku II series.[4] Its weapons included a custom machine gun, a 280mm bazooka, and a spike shield. It could also be equipped with the standard weapons used by the MS-06 series, including the 120mm machine gun and the heat hawk.[4]

Armaments[]

  • 105mm Machine Gun
A standard weapon for Zaku type mobile suits, this model is the initial type of the machine gun used by the Zaku series. A 100-round drum magazine is mounted on the right side vertically.
  • 120mm Machine Gun
Another standard weapon for Zaku type mobile suits. It is a shell firing gun that does not require energy to be used, however its effectiveness against heavy armor is very limited. This model used a 100-round drum magazine.
  • H&L-SB21K/280mmA-N Zaku Bazooka
The 280mm Zaku Bazooka was another weapon that could be equipped to a Zaku type mobile suit and it fires explosive rounds. It is primarily for anti-ship combat and displays its power in hit and run attacks. It can also be used against enemy mobile suits, but it is harder to hit a constantly moving target.
  • Initial Type Bazooka
This early design of the bazooka featured a block ammo cartridge and a single exhaust port.
  • 90mm Assault Rifle
A new model assault rifle that appears to be an upgrade of the MMP-80 90mm machine gun.
  • Shotgun
A pump-action shotgun, it is of the same type as the one used by the MS-18E Kämpfer.
  • 880mmRB-T27 Raketen Bazooka
A new heavy bazooka which features powerful rocket-propelled rounds, and improved targeting sensor with protective cover for aiming. It is fed by a 5 rounds magazine.
  • Heat Hawk
A melee weapon, its blade was superheated to slice through the enemy's armor.[4] Its development was completed only after the MS-06 series began production.[5] The MS-05 was normally equipped with the Type 3 Heat Hawk, which, despite being visually identical to the Type 5 Heat Hawk used by the MS-06 series, was not intended for anti-mobile suit combat and most likely designed for use against enemy ships and fighters. Some units, such as the Black Tri-Stars' MS-05B, were later equipped with the Type 5. These had their output specifically adjusted for use by a MS-05.[4][6]
  • G-3 Nerve Gas Grenade Launcher
During the early days of the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon planned to drop colonies on Earth as weapons of mass destruction. Instead of using colonies from Side 3, they intended to capture Earth Federation allied colonies. To prepare these colonies, several Zaku Is were equipped with a G-3 nerve gas grenade launcher. These weapons launched rockets filled with G-3 nerve gas, a chemical weapon that could quickly kill every living person in a colony.
  • S-Mine
Anti-personnel explosives fired from various locations on the Zaku's body. They then explode in the air, raining down small metal shrapnels, killing approaching enemy soldiers.
  • Knuckle Shield
The knuckle shield is a modified Zaku II shoulder shield carried on the arm, with the curve of the armor fitting over the mobile suit's hand. One of the modifications is the additions of three spikes placed on the plate that rests in front of the hand. These spikes make the knuckle shield an effective bashing weapon. Darmac Barlow's Zaku I in U.C. 0096 features a knuckle shield (minus the three spikes) with hard points to carry two 280mm Zaku Bazookas.
  • Shoulder Shield
Originally a regular equipment for MS-06 Zaku II series, Darmac Barlow's Zaku I in U.C. 0096 features a shoulder shield on each shoulder with hard points to carry two sturm fausts and three of the Gelgoog's beam rifle.
  • Heat Sword
A melee weapon originally developed for the Gouf line of mobile suits. Like the Zaku's heat tomahawk, the heat sword's blade is heated to high temperatures to increase its cutting capacity.
  • MIP-B6 Cracker Grenade
Identical to those used by infantry, the cracker grenade is an explosive weapons designed to be thrown or launched by the MS and detonate after a set amount of time. The "cracker" breaks into several smaller munitions over a wide area.
A simplified, disposable rocket launcher. As the warhead is not equipped with a guidance device, it is extremely hard to use the Sturm Faust to hit a moving target accurately. However, it is still a highly destructive portable weapon.
  • Shield
The shield is a thick sheet of armor designed to take severe punishment that would normally destroy a mobile suit. Shields are also treated with an anti-beam coating to withstand several beam shots before the coating wears off. Typically, physical shields can only take so much damage before they succumb to the pressure and break.

History[]

MS-05B was rolled out in May, U.C. 0074, three months after the MS-05A.[4] The final version of the MS-05B, which was equipped with several devices and units developed for the MS-06, began production in late October, U.C. 0077. A total of 793 MS-05B were produced before production was halted in favor of the higher performing MS-06 Zaku II. As production of the 06 ramped up, the 05 series was relegated to the second line, such as escorting transportation and supply fleets or garrison duty.[4] Following the introduction of the Zaku II, which was commonly referred to simply as "Zaku", the Zaku I became colloquially known as "Old Zaku".

Zaku I participated in the earliest stages of the One Year War in U.C. 0079, including the One Week Battle, during which they were used to launch gas grenades into colonies to kill their inhabitants.[7]

On May 8, U.C. 0079, a Zaku I guarding Zeon's 67th supply depot in the Arizona desert was attacked and destroyed by a MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type piloted by Federico Czariano of the Earth Federation Forces commando team Semovente Corps (which had been conducting false flag operations in the area), possibly making it the first mobile suit to be destroyed by another mobile suit in combat.[8]

One MS-05B was piloted by Gadem, a veteran pilot who has been a member of the Zeon military since before the war began. By September, U.C. 0079, Gadem had left the frontline due to his age and became the captain of a Papua-class supply ship. His ship was charged with resupplying Char Aznable's squadron after the losses it sustained during the attack on Side 7.[9]

According to one account, while Char's Musai-class light cruiser Falmer was being resupplied, the White Base and its mobile suit team attacked the two ships. Though his Papua was heavily damaged and eventually sank, Gadem still completed the resupply mission by dropping most of the supplies from the ship, including a MS-06F Zaku II, which he pushed out of the ship using his Zaku I. Angered by the destruction of his ship, Gadem attacked the RX-78-2 Gundam in the Zaku I, ignoring Char's attempt to stop him. Despite being unarmed and completely outclassed by the cutting edge Gundam, Gadem managed to dodge a beam saber attack from the Gundam and land a shoulder tackle on its chest, but the Zaku I was soon destroyed by the Gundam's beam saber during close combat, killing Gadem.[10]

A Zaku I-based MS-06V Zaku Tank was used by Zeon forces in South East Asia. This Zaku Tank was apparently an engineering vehicle, being unarmed save for two large crane arms. It was apparently used to help repair the damaged Apsaras I before being stolen by Eledore Massis and Michel Ninorich of the the Federation's 08th Mobile Suit Team and used to escape the Zeon-captured village.[11]

Another unit was piloted by Topp, a Zeon mobile suit team leader under Zeon's European forces. In November, U.C. 0079, after Zeon's defeat at Odessa, Topp and her two subordinates, Dell and Arth, retreated toward the Far East. On the way there, they attempted to obtain food at a village that was secretly home to an anti-Zeon guerilla. However, Arth provoked the villagers, resulting in a battle between Topp's team with the guerilla and the 08th Mobile Suit Team. Topp's Zaku I was eventually immobilized by a rocket fired by 08th Team leader Shiro Amada. As a mob from the village approached her Zaku I, she desperately fired two S-mines at them. Though Shiro managed to shoot one down, the other detonated and killed the entire mob. Shiro then finished Topp by destroying the cockpit with another rocket.[9][12]

During the Battle of A Baoa Qu, Zeon mobilized all available weapons, including the outdated Zaku I. At least one Zaku I was seen on the surface of A Baoa Qu alongside Zeon's latest mobile suit, the MS-14A Gelgoog.[13]

Variants[]

Gallery[]

Lineart[]

Anime[]

Manga[]

Illustrations & Artwork[]

Games[]

Gunpla[]

Action Figures[]

Notes & Trivia[]

  • The Zaku I was originally simply named "Old Zaku" (旧ザク) in the settings Template:Citationneeded. The name "Zaku I" first appeared in the 1981 sourcebook Gundam Century. The term "Old Zaku" was used in several works as an in-universe nickname for the Zaku I.
  • The S-Mines is likely a reference to a similar anti-personnel mine used by the German in the second World War.
  • In Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield and its portable version, The Zaku I has mediocre general stats but is the only unit in the game that can do a 6-hit melee combo (assuming that the other melee options have been unlocked). The string can only be done fully if in the correct order: Grapple x 3 (Triangle), Heat Hawk x 2 (Circle + X) and Finisher Heat Hawk Program (Circle). Timing is crucial for every transition. Missed inputs will result in a knockdown blow. This setting will also make the Zaku I totally incapable of ranged combat (since all slots will be populated by close-quarters options) so other allied units will have to assist until the range gap is closed.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 (May 2006) HG 1/144 MS-05B Zaku I Manual. Bandai, front cover. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mobile Suit Variation Vol.1 - Zaku Edition (1984), p.74
  3. Mobile Suit Variation Vol.1 - Zaku Edition (1984), p.80
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Master Grade Zaku I (1999) instruction manual
  5. MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden Material-A002: Pictures
  6. Master Grade Zaku I Black Tri-Stars
  7. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Episode 6: Reunion
  8. Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War Episode 2: The Howl that Dyed the Setting Sun
  9. 9.0 9.1 Mobile Suit Bible 65 - Zaku I (2020), p.14-15
  10. Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 3: Vote to Attack
  11. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Episode 5: The Broken Order to Standby
  12. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Episode 8: Duty and Ideals
  13. Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space


Mobile Suit Gundam Mechanics
edit
Earth Federation Forces
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
RGM-79 GM | RX-75-4 Guntank | RX-77-2 Guncannon | RX-78-2 Gundam | RX-78-2 Gundam + B-Parts
Mobile Pod
RB-79 Ball

Land Vehicle
Anti-Zaku Tank | Missile Buggy | Missile Car | Type 61 Tank | Vulcan Armored Car
Land Battleship
Big Tray-class
Ship
Himalaya-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Depp Rog | Dish | Don Escargot | Dragonfly | Fanfan | FF-4 Toriares | FF-X7 Core Fighter | FF-X7-Bst Core Booster | Flyarrow | Fly Manta | G-Armor | G-Bull | G-Bull Easy | G-Fighter | G-Sky | G-Sky Easy | Public-class | Space Launch
Transporter / Supply Ship
Columbus-class | Gunperry | Medea
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Magellan-class | Pegasus-class | Salamis-class | SCV-70 White Base | Trafalgar-class
Super Weapon
Solar System
Principality of Zeon
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-05B Zaku I | MS-06 Zaku II | MS-06F Zaku II | MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type | MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type | MS-07B Gouf | MS-09B Dom | MS-09R Rick Dom | MS-14A Gelgoog | MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type | MSM-03 Gogg | MSM-04 Acguy | MSM-07 Z'Gok | MSM-07S Z'Gok Commander Type | MSM-10 Zock | MSN-02 Zeong | YMS-15 Gyan
Mobile Armor
MA-04X Zakrello | MA-05 Bigro | MA-08 Big Zam | MAM-07 Grublo | MAN-03 Braw Bro | MAN-08 Elmeth | MAX-03 Adzam

Land Vehicle
Cui | Magella Attack | Samson
Land Battleship
Dobday-class | Gallop-class
Ship / Submarine
Jukon-class | Mad Angler-class | Prober-class | Sealance
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Dodai YS | Dopp | Gattle | Jicco-class | Commu | Luggun | PVN.4/3 Wappa | Sodon | Zeon Space Launch
Transporter / Supply Ship
Fat Uncle | Komusai | Papua-class | Pazock-class
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Chivvay-class | Dolos-class | Gaw | Gwazine-class | Musai-class | Zanzibar-class
Super Weapon
Solar Ray
Civilians
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type

Aircraft / Spacecraft
Space Boat "Hulke" | Towing Ship | TV Space Boat


MS IGLOO Mechanics
edit
Principality of Zeon
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
EMS-10 Zudah | GM Camouf | MS-05B Zaku I | MS-06F Zaku II (Propellant Unit) | MS-06C Zaku II Early Production Type | MS-06F Zaku II | MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type | MS-06JC Zaku II | MS-06M Zaku Marine Type | MS-06S Zaku II Patrol Type | MS-09R Rick Dom | MS-14 Gelgoog | MSM-07Di Ze'Gok
Mobile Armor
MA-05Ad Big Rang
Mobile Tank
YMT-05 Hildolfr
Mobile Pod
MP-02A Oggo

Aircraft / Spacecraft
Observation Shuttle | OP-02c Observation Pod | YOP-04 Balor
Support Weapon
QEX-04M Aegir
Transporter / Supply Ship
H.L.V. | HOTOL | Jotunheim | Komusai | Muspelheim | Papua-class
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Chivvay-class | Dolos-class | Gaw | Gwazine-class | Musai-class
Super Weapon
QCX-76A Jormungand
Earth Federation
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type | MS-06JC Zaku II | RGM-79 GM | RGM-79C GM Type C
Mobile Pod
RB-79 Ball | RB-79K Ball Type K | RB-79N Fisheye

Land Vehicle
Type 61 Tank
Submarine
Jukon-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
FF-X7-Bst-II Core Booster II Intercept Type
Transporter / Supply Ship
Columbus-class
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Magellan-class | Salamis-class


MS IGLOO 2 Mechanics
edit
Earth Federation
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type | RTX-440 Ground Assault Type Guntank

Support Weapon
M-101A3 Regina
Land Vehicle
6×6 Cargo Truck | M353A4 Bloodhound | M72 Lakota | M61A5 MBT
Land Battleship
Big Tray-class | Heavy Fork-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Dragonfly | FF-X7 Core Fighter
Cruiser
Salamis-class
Principality of Zeon
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-05B Zaku I | MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type | MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom | MS-09B Dom

Land Vehicle
B.M.C. Z78/2 | Magella Attack | Magella Eins | PVN.3/2 Sauropelta | PVN.44/1 Weasel | Russel 1/12 Zebu
Land Battleship
Dobday-class
Aircraft
Dopp | PVN.4/3 Wappa
Transporter / Supply Ship
H.L.V. | Komusai | Papua-class
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Gaw | Musai-class


The 08th MS Team Mechanics
edit
Earth Federation Forces
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
RGM-79[E] GM Early Type | RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type | RGM-79[G] GM Sniper | RX-75 Berge Guntank | RX-75 Guntank Mass Production Type | RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type | RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8
Mobile Pod
RB-79K Ball Type K

Land Vehicle
Hover Cargo Truck | M61A5 MBT | Hover Truck
Land Battleship
Big Tray-class
Ship
Jungle Boat
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Dish | Fanfan | FF-6 TIN Cod | Jet Core Booster
Transporter / Supply Ship
Gunperry | Medea | Cargo Ship
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Magellan-class | Salamis-class
Principality of Zeon
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-05B Zaku I | MS-06F Zaku II | MS-06JC Zaku II | MS-06K Zaku Cannon | MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type | MS-06V Zaku Tank | MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom | MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type | MS-09B Dom | MS-14A Gelgoog | MSM-03 Gogg | MSM-04 Acguy
Mobile Armor
Apsaras I | Apsaras II | Apsaras III

Land Vehicle
Armored Vehicle | Magella Attack
Ship / Submarine
Jukon-class | Mad Angler-class | Sealance
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Cui | Dodai II | Dopp | Gunship Heli | Luggun
Transporter / Supply Ship
Dora | Komusai
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Gaw | Musai-class | Zanzibar-class


Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Mechanics
edit
AEUG/Karaba/Earth Federation Forces
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II | FA-010S Full Armor ZZ Gundam | MSA-003 Nemo | MSA-005 Methuss | MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki | MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam | MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam | MSZ-010S Enhanced ZZ Gundam | RGM-86R GM III | RMS-179 GM II | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II

Aircraft / Spacecraft
Dodai Kai | Flying Armor | FXA-07GB Neo Core Fighter | FXA-08R Mega Rider
Transporter / Supply Ship
HOTOL | Suit Carrier
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Argama-class | Garuda-class | Salamis Kai-class | SCVA-76 Nahel Argama
Neo Zeon/Zeon Remnants
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
AMX-003 Gaza-C | AMX-004 Qubeley | AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II | AMX-004G Qubeley Mass Production Type | AMX-006 Gaza-D | AMX-008 Ga-Zowmn | AMX-009 Dreissen | AMX-011 Zaku III | AMX-011S Zaku III Custom | AMX-014 Döven Wolf | AMX-015 Geymalk | AMX-101 Galluss-J | AMX-102 Zssa | AMX-103 Hamma Hamma | AMX-104 R-Jarja | AMX-107 Bawoo | AMX-109 Capule | AMX-117L Gazu-L | AMX-117R Gazu-R | MS-06D Desert Zaku | MS-06F Zaku II | MS-09G Dwadge | MS-09H Dwadge Custom | MS-14J ReGelgu | NZ-000 Queen Mansa | RMS-099B Schuzrum Dias | RMS-106 Hizack | RMS-108 Marasai | RMS-119 EWAC Zack | RMS-192M Zaku Mariner
Mobile Armor
AMA-01X Jamru Fin | MRX-010 Psycho Gundam Mk-II | NRX-044 Asshimar

Land Vehicle
Zaku Tanker
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Base Jabber | Geta
Transporter / Supply Ship
Camouflaged Ship
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Endra-class | Garuda-class | Gwanban-class | Sadalahn-class
African Liberation Front
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-06D Desert Zaku | MS-09G Dwadge | MS-14A Gelgoog | RMS-119 EWAC Zack

Land Vehicle
Zaku Tanker
Anaheim Electronics
Supply Ship
La Vie en Rose
Civilians
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MS-05B Zaku I | MS-06V Zaku Tank | MS-14A Gelgoog | MSM-03 Gogg | MSM-04 Acguy | MSM-04N Agguguy | MSM-07 Z'Gok | MSM-08 Zogok | Petite Mobile Suit
Mobile Worker
Cattle | Geze | Middle Mobile Suit

Land Vehicle
Missile Car
Transporter / Supply Ship
Jupitris-class
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