The RGM-79[E] GM Early Type is a mobile suit that first appeared in the Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team series.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The GM Early Type is an early model GM used in space to gather data for the Earth Federation's first true mass production mobile suit. Due to its purpose as test machine, it is armed only with a machine gun, beam saber and a pair of head vulcans. It became the prototype of the later RGM-79C GM Type C.
Armaments[]
- 60mm Vulcan Gun
- Mounted in the head, these shell firing weapons have high-rate of fire but little power and can't damage the armor of a mobile suit, though they can damage lightly armored areas such as the sensors. They are ideal for shooting down small, lightly armored targets such as missiles, attack vehicles, etc.
- Beam Saber
- The GM Early Type is equipped with a beam saber stored on the left side of the backpack. It is a small device held in the mobile suit's hands when operated and is powered by a rechargeable energy capacitor. The beam saber emits a blade of plasma contained by an I-Field and can cut through any armor not treated with anti-beam coating.
- HWF GMG·MG79-90mm Bullpup Machine Gun
- The bullpup machine gun was a system weapon developed as a Space/Ground dual use projectile weapon. Though compact, it has sufficient anti-MS firepower while maintaining accuracy. Its muzzle velocity is increased due to the use of new gunpowder and this enables it to easily penetrate the armor of Zeon's mobile suit. A box-like sensor system incorporating a video camera and laser sensor is installed at the top, and when this system is used alongside the GM's targeting system, target acquisition capability is enhanced.
- FADEGEL RGM-M-Sh-007 Shield
- An improved model of the RGM-M-Sh-003. It has the exact same size as its predecessor, but its material was changed to Titanium-Ceramic composite. Its mount latch was made movable, allowing the shield to be positioned up or down when carried by a Mobile Suit manipulator or mounted on the forearm, increasing its usability.
History[]
During the One Year War, the Federation attempted to mass produce a mobile suit to counter the Principality of Zeon's mobile suit forces. With the RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type already deployed on Earth, the RGM-79[E] GM Early Type was deployed in space. Combined with the learning system from the RX-78-2 Gundam, the GM Early Type was later mass produced as the RGM-79C GM Type C.
One known record of a GM Early Type being used was in October UC 0079. Pilot Terry Sanders Jr. was leading a team of GM Early Types when his squad encountered an MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type and its three escorts. Though they shot down one of the escorts, Sanders was the only member of his team that survived the incident. His GM Early Type was badly damaged and had to be saved by Shiro Amada, a passenger aboard a passing Federation transport ship which recieved his distress signal.
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Anime[]
Manga[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- The GM Early Type piloted by Sanders featured a beam saber rack, but no beam saber. Whether the GM Early Type is equipped with beam saber is unclear, though some later media, such as The 08th MS Team U.C.0079 + α Tribute and Hunter of Black Clothes, depicted it as having a beam saber.
- In the manga The 08th MS Team U.C.0079 + α Tribute Sander's GM Early Type Squad emblem Cobayo, it is derived from French word of Cobaye which translates to Guinea Pigs. This is also a nod to Yuu Kajima team from Gundam Blue Destiny which was also nicknamed the Guinea Pig Team.
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