MS-06V Zaku Tank
- Main
- RfV
The MS-06V Zaku Tank (ザクタンク Zaku Tanku?) is a support ground mobile suit and is one of many variants of the standard MS-06 Zaku II. It was first featured in the original design series Mobile Suit Variations (MSV) and later, animation series including Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
As the One Year War dragged on, Zeon forces found themselves in desperate need of replacement mobile suits and other weaponries. Forced to salvage whatever they could, field workshops would often disassemble inoperable machines for use as replacement parts and cobble together new units from whatever was available in order to get more combat units to the field. One of the most common variations was the Zaku Tank, created from mounting a Zaku torso, head and arms onto the hull of a Magella Attack. These units were prized by field commanders, starved for replacement mobile suits and used for both combat and support duties. Since the Zaku Tanks were constructed to cater local military needs, there were no single unified design and a variety of chassis and equipment existed. The most commonly known chassis utilized the upper torso from MS-06 Zaku II series, but torso from MS-05 Zaku I series were also used.[1]
Armaments[]
- 3-barrel 35mm Machine Cannon
- The 3-barrel 35mm machine cannon was the original weapon for the Magella Attack Tank and was located in front of its tank platform against enemy infantry and light armored vehicles and targets.
- Hand-held weapons from MS-06 Zaku II
- For variants of Zaku Tanks with normal arms and manipulators, they could utilize firearms normally used by the Zaku series such as the ZMP-50D 120mm machine gun, MMP-80 90mm machine gun, etc. to enhance its firepower.
- 3-tube Missile Pod
- The Zaku Tank featured in Gundam Build Fighters was equipped with a pair of 3-tube missile pods which are located on the side of its shoulder shields. The missile pods were inherited from MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type and they were quite effective against armored enemies. However, they were also slow and unsuited for combat against nimbler targets.
Special Equipment & Features[]
- Claw Arms
- Zaku Tanks could be equipped with different types of claw arms for construction, heavy lifting, repairs or delicate works. They could also be used as bludgeoning weapons when necessary.
- Specialized Backpacks
- Specialized backpacks from other Zaku models, such as the one from the MS-06K Zaku Cannon, can be optionally fitted for corresponding purposes.
- U Blade
- A metallic and curved U blade can be installed at the front of Magella tank platform for pushing soil, sand, snow, rocks, rubbles or any other obstacles.
History[]
Localized version of the Zaku Tanks had been fielded by Zeon Arm Force across the Earth during the One Year War. For instance, In October U.C. 0079, after hearing that his song was getting a major debut, EFF soldier Cpl. Eledore Massis of the 08th Mobile Suit Team broke the order to standby and went to a town near the Southeast Asian frontline to celebrate with his comrade Cpl. Michel Ninorich. However, the town turns out to have been occupied by the Zeons, and they were captured. In order to escape, the duo stole a Zaku Tank, but they were soon discovered by a passing Armored Vehicle, which began firing on the Zaku Tank. Due to Eledore's claustrophobia, he refused to close the cockpit hatch even under fire. Eventually, a stray shot shattered a display screen in the Zaku Tank's cockpit, injuring Eledore. Despite his wounds, Eledore managed to destroy the Armored Vehicle by crushing it with the Zaku Tank's excavator arm.[1]
Another example of Zaku Tank's variant include Cpl. Kurt Blatt's unit fielded by the Zeon Army's Engineering Battalion in Kharkov, Ukraine circa October, UC 0079 which features the torso of MS-06W Worker Zaku. Blatt's unit would eventually undergo several field modifications included the addition of the 180mm Cannon from MS-06K Zaku Cannon and torso replacement with MS-06G Zaku II High Mobility Ground Type.[2]
After the end of One Year War, many captured Zaku Tanks were employed at the Federation bases across the world, including its Jaburo headquarters in South America.
Variants[]
Gallery[]
Lineart[]
Zaku Tank (The 08th MS Team Version) - color art
Anime[]
Manga & Photonovel[]
Mobile Suit Gundam - Zeon MS Boys: The War of Independence[]
Kurt Blatt's unit on the front cover
In Gundam Ace Comics Mobile Suit Collection.
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Jagd Zaku
Zaku Tank (The 08th MS Team Ver.) as featured in Gundam Duel Company
Games[]
Gunpla[]
1/144 Original MS-06V Zaku Tank (1983): box art
1/144 Z Gundam MS-06V Zaku Tank (1985): box art
1/144 MSV Original MS-06V Zaku Tank (1983): modelling manual cover
Action Figures[]
Zaku Tank conversion as part of MSiA / MIA "Zaku & Magella Attack Tank" figure set (North American release; 2001): package rear view.
Zaku Tank conversion as part of MSiA / MIA "Zeon Earth Invasion" figure set (Asian limited edition; 2005): package front view.
Zaku Tank conversion as part of MSiA / MIA "Zeon Earth Invasion" figure set (Asian limited edition; 2005): package rear view.
Notes and Trivia[]
- The V-suffix on Zaku Tank's model number MS-06V stands for "vehicle".
- In Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team OVA, it features a variant of Zaku Tank that uses the head of the MS-05B Zaku I. However, it still uses the same MS-06V model number.
References[]
Zaku Tank (08MST Version) from Gundam Mechanics Vol. 2
Zaku Tank (08MST Version) from Gundam Mechanics Vol. 2 - information
Zaku Tank - information from MSV modelling manual
Navigation[]
| Requiem for Vengeance Mechanics |
|---|
| edit |
| Principality of Zeon |
| Mobile Weapon |
| Mobile Suit MS-05A Zaku I | MS-06F Zaku II F Type | MS-06Rb-a Zaku II Unidentified Type (Solari) | MS-06Rb-b Zaku II Unidentified Type (LeSean) | MS-06V Zaku Tank | MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom |
|
|
| Land Vehicle Armored Vehicle | Magella Attack | Russel 1/12 Zebu | Jeep | Samson |
| Aircraft / Spacecraft Dopp | HLV | PVN.4/3 Wappa |
| Cruiser / Mother Ship Gaw | Musai-class | Zanzibar-class |
| Earth Federation Forces |
| Mobile Weapon |
| Mobile Suit RGM-79 GM | RTX-440-B Ground Assault Type Guntank Type B | RX-78(G)E Gundam EX |
|
|
| Land Vehicle M61A5 MBT | Armored Personnel Carrier | Trailer | Fuel Truck | Sidecar | 4 1/2t 6x6 Cargo Truck |
| Aircraft / Spacecraft FF-S3 Saberfish |
| UMRC |
| Land Vehicle Truck |