Duchy of Zeon Mobile Suit
MS-06RP Zaku II High Mobility Test Type

Pilot / Elliot Lem

While Zeon wrested control of half Earth's surface, the Zeonic Company's designers were meanwhile working on a higher-performance successor to the MS-06F Zaku II for space combat. Two prototypes of the High Mobility Type Zaku II were constructed, with greatly increased engine output and propellant capacity.

Two weeks of test flights were performed by Major Elliot Lem, a veteran of Zeonic's development team and the author of the original Zaku pilot's manual. The prototype performed to Lem's satisfaction, and trial production began with only minor modifications.

Illustration by Mark Simmons

Specifications

Model number / MS-06RP

Duchy of Zeon Mobile Suit
MS-06R-1 Zaku II High Mobility Type

Pilot / Shin Matsunaga

Having passed muster with test pilot Elliot Lem, the Zaku II High Mobility Type underwent a trial run of 22 units. These were assigned to selected pilots for field testing. With powerful new main engines, supplemental leg thrusters, and increased propellant capacity, the new model received rave reviews for its superb performance. However, feedback from early adopters would result in a couple of minor changes in the next round of production.

One of the most famous pilots of the Zaku II High Mobility Type was Shin Matsunaga, the "White Wolf of Solomon." After a stint at officer training school, Matsunaga was given this R-1 type Zaku and promoted to the rank of captain. Stationed at the asteroid fortress Solomon, he served as personal escort to Lieutenant General Dozul Zabi during his infamous front-line "inspections." Left behind when Matsunaga was recalled to Side 3, the Zaku was destroyed during the Battle of Solomon.

Illustration by Mark Simmons

Specifications

Model number / MS-06R-1

Standard armament /
  120mm machinegun x 1 (100 rounds)

Options /
  280mm bazooka
  heat hawk
 

Duchy of Zeon Mobile Suit
MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type

Pilots /
  Gaia
  Ortega
  Mash
  Shin Matsunaga

Based on feedback from pilots, some changes were made to the R-1 type for its second round of production. Engine defects were addressed, and its supplemental propellant tanks were converted to replaceable cartridges so that the mobile suit could be quickly refueled in mid-battle. 56 units of the improved R-1A type were produced, and half of the original 22 units were upgraded to this type as well.

Though the High Mobility Type successfully pushed the performance of the aging Zaku II design to its limits, the design proved to be unsuitable for mass production. It was expensive and difficult to manufacture, and this high-performance mobile suit was too complex for inexperienced pilots to operate. Production was halted and, with so few units in circulation, the High Mobility Type became a sought-after status symbol for Zeon's ace pilots.

The most reknowned pilots of the R-1A model were the famous "Black Trinary" of Gaia, Ortega, and Mash. Others included Lieutenant Colonel Eric Mansfield of Zeon's home defense corps, and 1st Lieutenant Masaya Nakagawa, a member of the E Field defense force at the asteroid fortress A Bao A Qu. After the One Year War, military historians initially assumed that Nakagawa's Zaku was a ground combat model due to its earth-toned color scheme, until new pictures were found that clearly showed its distinctive High Mobility Type legs.

Illustration by Mark Simmons

Specifications

Model number / MS-06R-1A
Head height / 17.5 m
Base weight / 61.8 t
Full weight / 76.8 t
Generator output / 1012 kW
Thruster /
  52000 kg
Sensor radius / 3200 m

Standard armament /
  120mm machinegun x 1 (100 rounds)

Options /
  280mm bazooka
  heat hawk

Source: Gundam Mechanics I