As late as UC 0133, in the story of Crossbone Gundam, the Earth Federation still had Ball units mixed in Mobile Suit formations. These units have three recoilless cannons and are seen in the background. These units are later called Type 133 (133式 or 133 shiki).
Technology and Combat Characteristics
Considering that this model has an almost identical physical profile to the original Ball type mobile pod it can probably be assumed that it served a similar role. Specifically as a cheap and easy to produce machine that primarily serves as a rear-line artillery mobile weapon, supporting the mobile suits that are engaging at closer range.
Armaments
- 120mm Recoilless Cannon
- Where the original RB-79 Ball had one cannon, the Type 133 Ball is equipped with a three cannons. These shell firing cannons were used to provide fire support.
- 30mm Vulcan Gun
- Unlike the original RB-79 Ball the Type 133 Ball featured an extra pair of armaments in the form of vulcan guns mounted on the main body, these shell firing weapons have a high-rate of fire but have little power and can't damage the thick armor of a mobile suit, though it can damage lightly armored areas such as the sensors. The weapons are ideal for shooting down small, fast moving, lightly armored targets such as missiles.
History
During the One Year War, the Earth Federation created the RB-79 Ball, a machine made by outfitting mobile worker pods with armor and weapons and used to support their new RGM-79 GM mobile suit. Some sixty years later, the concept would be revived in the form of the Type 133 Ball. Despite its ancestor's reputation as a flying coffin, the Ball concept remained sound even into the second Universal Century thanks to its low production cost and the relative ease of pilot training when compared with standard mobile suits. For these reasons, the Federation developed the Type 133 as an inexpensive "seat filler" to bolster their forces. Other than the fact that it wields three recoilless cannons and a pair vulcan guns, the Type 133's performance is apparently not much different from the original RB-79 Ball, and it failed to make any kind of significant impact on the Jovian War.
External Links
Template:Late Universal Century Mobile weapons