Episode 4

Autonomous Republic of Zeon:
MS-05 Zaku I
Head height: 17.4m / Overall width: 8.2m
Pilot: Char Aznable

Because it was an attempt to create a perfect humanoid mobile weapon equipped with a compact fusion reactor, the previously developed MS-04 Bugu ended up becoming a machine too expensive to mass-produce. Thus it was redesigned to create the MS-05 Zaku I, intended for mass production and combat deployment. The power pipes attached to the outside of the Bugu as part of its fluid pulse system were installed under the armor to prevent damage from enemy attacks, but as a result, its mobility and maneuverability were slightly inferior to those of the Bugu. Nonetheless, it addressed all the production and maintenance issues related to using large numbers of machines in the battlefield. The early mass production type is deployed in the "Battle of Mare Smythii," history's first battle between mobile suits, which takes place on the lunar surface before the outbreak of the war of independence. The MS-05 piloted by Char Aznable is one of these early mass production types. With the permission of Dozle Zabi, who is responsible for its development, Char participates in the Battle of Mare Smythii in a machine painted in the red personal colors that he chose after the "Dawn Rebellion."
Autonomous Republic of Zeon:
MS-05 Zaku I
(Gaia, Ortega, Mash)
Head height: 17.4m / Overall width: 8.2m
Pilots: Gaia, Mash, Ortega

Dr. Torenov Y Minovsky serves as a technical advisor in the development of the mobile suit, which will later become the main weapon of the Principality of Zeon forces. But when it is reported that he is defecting to the Earth Federation government, an operation is launched to stop him, in order to prevent the disclosure of confidential information. Anticipating that the Earth Federation Forces will deploy humanoid mobile weapons to protect Dr. Minovsky, Kycilia gathers the test pilots who took part in the development of the mobile suit, and dispatches a team of one MS-04 Bugu and four MS-05 Zaku I units to make a counterattack. The three test pilots Gaia, Mash, and Ortega participate using the early mass production type of the MS-05 Zaku I, painted in dark gray. The Zaku I has only just entered production. Gaia's and Ortega's machines are armed with Zaku machine guns, Mash's machine carries a Type A1 Zaku bazooka, and they all use the same short shield as the MS-04 Bugu. The data obtained from history's first battle between mobile suits, which takes place in Mare Smythii on the lunar surface, will be used in subsequent mobile suit development.


Autonomous Republic of Zeon:
MS-04 Bugu（Ramba Ral）
Head height: 17.5m / Overall width: 9.3m
Pilot: Ramba Ral

The development of the mobile suit took a huge step forward thanks to the compact fusion reactor and fluid pulse system designed by Dr. Torenov Y Minovsky, resulting in the birth of the prototype YMS-03 Waff. The MS-04 Bugu was completed using data gathered with the Waff, and it was designed with a focus on its mobility, maneuverability, and ease of production as a weapon, making this the first machine capable of handling genuine combat. To improve its mobility, the power pipes that transmitted energy as part of the fluid pulse system were attached to the outside of its armor, and the increased supply of the energy used to drive its limb joints gave it very high maneuverability. However, as is often the case in the development of high-performance prototypes, it was designed with no regard for ease of production. With its high production cost, it was unsuited for mass production, and the role of official mass-produced machine was given to the redesigned MS-05 Zaku I. Though the Bugu never entered mass production, several units were built. Because it has better basic performance than the mass-produced Zaku I, one of these units is given to Ramba Ral, who served as a test pilot during the mobile suit's development. Painted in his blue personal colors, it participates in a battle in Mare Smythii on the lunar surface, alongside Gaia, Mash, Ortega, and Char.


Earth Federarion Forces:
Guncannon First Type
(Iron Cavalry Squadron Commander)
Head height: 17.0m / Overall width: 8.1m
Pilot: Lieutenant Junior Grade Erdush

A machine developed as a successor to the RTX-65 Guntank Early Type, an MBT (Main Battle Tank) which previously served as a main weapon of the Earth Federation Forces. It was created as a further development of the Guntank Early Type, which, in addition to tank-like bombardment capabilities, had a humanoid upper body and arms equipped with manipulator-mounted quadruple autocannons that were capable of flexible attacks. While retaining the bombardment capabilities of the Guntank Early Type, the Guncannon First Type was developed as a bipedal walking weapon whose lower body could travel better on irregular terrain, enabling it to function like an infantry soldier and move more easily in response to the situation. Although it is a humanoid mobile weapon, it was developed with an overwhelming emphasis on artillery attacks, and thus the Earth Federation Forces categorized it as an MBT in the same category as the Guntank Early Type.
As of U.C. 0078, the Earth Federation Forces are aware that Side 3 (later the Principality of Zeon) is developing humanoid mobile weapons for use in a war of independence. The Federation Forces hope to resist these with the Guncannon First Type, a similar type of humanoid mobile weapon. Thus they have formed a mobile unit, the Iron Cavalry Squadron, made up of these new MBTs. Elite pilots have been undergoing training as part of this select team, with the highly regarded Lieutenant Junior Grade Erdush as their squadron commander. Lieutenant Junior Grade Erdush's machine has been given distinctive markings to differentiate it from the standard type and make it easier to identify as a squadron commander's unit.


Earth Federarion Forces:
Guncannon First Type
(Iron Cavalry Squadron)
Head height: 17.0 m / Overall width: 8.1m

The Guncannon First Type, developed as a new type of MBT, was based on the Guntank Early Type but differs strongly in its functional concept. The Guntank Early Type placed little emphasis on mobility, and its main mission was long-range bombardment with its large-caliber cannons. Since the Guncannon First Type is intended for infantry-style operation, it has more versatile armament as well as better mobility. In addition to the long-range bombardment capabilities of the Guntank Early Type, it also emphasizes bombardment from medium range, and it is designed so that its equipment can be changed depending on the mission and the team organization. Its arms have three-fingered manipulators that can grasp various types of weapons, allowing it to change its armament to suit the mission. The Iron Cavalry Squadron functions as a squadron made up of four teams, each consisting of three machines.

Autonomous Republic of Zeon:
MS-05S Char's Zaku I
Head height: 17.4m / Overall width: 9.0m (9.4m including spikes)

Anticipating a war of independence, the Principality of Zeon forces made their preparations for the outbreak of war by mass-producing the MS-05 Zaku I. The MS-05 Zaku I was armed with ranged weapons and a shield affixed to its forearm, and in close combat, it was designed to carry out ramming attacks using the armor attached to its left shoulder. However, a few ideas for revisions were suggested based on mobility test data. A new type of shield mounted on the right shoulder was developed, which could protect the machine over a wider area. And for offense, a new type of left shoulder armor was introduced, with spikes installed for increased damage during ramming attacks. In addition to the standard MS machine gun (drum magazine type) and Type A1 MS bazooka, the MS machine gun (belt-fed type) was developed, which had increased ammunition thanks to a feed mechanism mounted on the mobile suit's back. This new equipment, which eliminated the problems of the MS-05 Zaku I, was intended for use by the improved MS-06 Zaku II that was being developed at a rapid pitch. However, since the war of Zeon independence broke out just before the MS-06 Zaku II entered full-scale mass production, some units of the MS-05 Zaku I were fitted with this MS-06 Zaku II equipment and deployed in battle as a special type. One of these served as Char's personal machine.





Autonomous Republic of Zeon:
MS-05 ZAKU I（KYCILIA'S FORCES）

With the outbreak of the Zeon War of Independence, the MS-05 Zaku I was officially adopted as the main weapon of the Principality of Zeon forces. While the normal version was painted in green colors, the machines deployed with some special forces were given unique decorations and coloring to allow for easy identification of their assigned unit.
The Zaku I assigned to the Special Service commanded by Major General Kycilia Zabi, who led a campaign on the lunar surface directly after the outbreak of the Zeon War of Independence, had a crest-shaped decoration on its head and was painted in dark brown. Normally, markings were painted on the mobile suit to identify its machine number and assigned unit. But it is believed that the machines of the forces led by Major General Kycilia, which often carried out special missions, used different specifications from the usual version as a special measure.