The MSZ-006-3A Zeta Gundam 3A Type (aka "White Zeta") is a variant of the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam and initially appears in the 2001 short CGI film Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green Divers and later in the series of short anime films Gundam Evolve.
Technology & Combat Characteristics
Being the third Zeta Gundam produced, it is usually referred to as "Zeta Unit Three". Like most other MSs, it has processors and sensors mounted in the head. Like the Zeta, it features wrist mounted Grenade Launchers that can be replaced with wire grapplers. While most other MSs have their main generators in the chest, the Zeta 3A has it in the legs. This is because of the high energy requirements of the leg thrusters, needing a direct link to the generator. Binders are incorporated in the Waverider form to help with the AMBAC of the suit.
Armaments
- 60mm Vulcan Gun
- Similar to the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, The White Zeta is equipped with a pair of 60mm Vulcan Gun nozzles located in its head. Its use varies in a manner of situations, such as shooting incoming missile attacks, reserving primary weapons for decisive combat situations. It has been proven to save ammunition and in the hands of a capable pilot, a crucial weapon for any situation. The vulcan guns are an offensive weapon designed to be used against small lightly-armored targets such as ground combat vehicles or attack helicopters. The 60mm vulcan guns are operable in mobile suit mode only.
- 2-tube Grenade Launcher
- Just like the standard armament of MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, the White Zeta is equipped with a pair of 2-tube Grenade Launchers that is proven to be a significantly important armament of the Mobile Suit. These are self-propelled Grenade rounds with a firepower strong enough to destroy a Mobile Suit, and is proven to be very effective against Mobile Weapons equipped with I-Field Generators, which makes beam weapons useless. Each tube carries two rounds, meaning each grenade launcher carries four grenades, for a total of eight rounds before reloading.
- Beam Saber
- The beam saber is the standard close-combat melee weapon of mobile suits descended from the RX-78-2 Gundam. The pair employed by the White Zeta are stored in hip recharge racks, are hand carried in use, and have a power rating of 0.65 MW. However the beam sabers are unique in that in waverider mode the beam sabers double as fire-linked beam guns, partially extending from the recharge racks instead of fully deploying, with a total power rating of 1.3 MW.
- (BOWA) XBR-M87A2 Beam Rifle
- The White Zeta is often outfitted with a unique (BOWA) XBR-M87A2 Beam Rifle, the same as the original Zeta Gundam. The XBR-M87A2 beam rifle is larger than most other models employed by other mobile suits and is powered by a replaceable e-pac, with a powerful power rating of 5.7 MW. The beam rifle is also capable of emitting a beam saber from its barrel, allowing it to be used as melee weapon should the situation call for it.
- Hyper Mega Beam Launcher
- When the White Zeta needs greater firepower than its (BOWA) XBR-M87A2 Beam Rifle can deliver, it will be equipped with the hyper mega launcher. Looking like a "big brother" version of the beam rifle the hyper mega launcher is appropriately more powerful with a power rating of 8.3 MW. Like the beam rifle the hyper mega launcher is powered by a replaceable e-pac and can double as a large beam saber.
- Grappling Wires
- A Grappling Wire can be optional equipped in place of the explosive warheads on the grenade launchers. Its mainly used to immobilize enemy units, which is very suited to this Mobile Suit.
- Shield
- The standard shield designed for the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam that serves as the nozzle when in Wave Rider mode, designed for aerial maneuverability and to reduce wind resistance, thus increasing speed in flight, but with a different paintjob to match the white-purple color scheme on the White Zeta.
History
Piloted by Karaba ace Amuro Ray in the later stages of the Gryps Conflict, Amuro used the White Zeta to great success during the later stages of both wars. Some deny this as merely propaganda similar to the story of the MSZ-006A1 since the Zeta Plus A1 in question was stated as an Amuro Type but the Master Grade model confirmed it was only tuned to fit Amuro's piloting skills, while it was only used for training new pilots for the A1 type Zeta Plus. It makes a reappearance in the Gundam Evolve 9 film, piloted by squadron leader White Unicorn (who is believed to be the legendary ace Amuro Ray) and battles the QRX-006 Geminus with assistance from other Zeta units. There is little information regarding the White Zeta unit, other than appearances, it is a standard unmodified Zeta unit without the Bio-sensor, and was tuned for its pilot Amuro Ray, aside from its purple striping on white color scheme, plus Amuro's signature "A" symbol on the left shoulder armor.
Picture Gallery
Notes & Trivia
- The Z Gundam Unit 3 (White Unicorn custom) is an unlockable unit in the mecha action video game Another Century's Episode: R for the PlayStation 3, and pre-ordering the game lets you use this machine from the beginning instead of unlocking it later. The player needs to have a Japanese PlayStation Network account to attain the Z Gundam Unit 3 early.
- On the PSP Game Gundam Assault Survive, the Zeta Gundam 3 (White Zeta) can be unlocked by meeting certain conditions. it has the same armaments like the Original MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, but with a higher stats when tuned to the max, lower tuning points to be fully upgraded, and a Different SP attack.
External links
Template:Early Universal Century Mobile weapons