Gouf Custom

Technical Data and General Information

Model number: MS-07B-3 Code name: Gouf Custom Unit type: mass production ground combat mobile suit Manufacturer: Zeonic Company Operator: Principality of Zeon First deployment: UC 0079 Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso Dimensions: overall height 18.7 meters; head height 18.2 meters Weight: empty 58.5 metric tons; max gross 77.6 metric tons Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1034 kW Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 40700 kg total Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 0.53 G Equipment and design features: sensors, range 3600 meters Fixed armaments: heat rod, retractable, superheated slicing/grappling/shocking weapon, mounted in right forearm Optional fixed armaments: 3-barrel 35 mm machinegun, clip-fed, mounts on left forearm; Gatling shield, mounts 75 mm Gatling gun, drum-and-belt fed; heat saber, battery powered, stored in Gatling shield, hand-carried in use

Technical and Historical Notes

Intended to be a replacement for the aging MS-06J Zaku II, the ground combat MS-07B Gouf proved effective in close combat, but was limited by its lack of long-range weapons. Production of the Gouf was soon halted when the Zimmad Company produced the popular ground-skimming MS-09 Dom. However, some pilots preferred the Gouf, and limited development of that model continued at Side 3. A flight-capable Gouf was finally perfected in the form of the MS-07H8, and parts from that model were used to produce a high-performance upgrade of the standard ground model. This high-performance upgrade was called the MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom, which had the same capabilities as its MS-07B predecessor but enabled it to be more effective in long-range combat. The original 5-fingered machinegun left hand was replaced by a normal manipulator hand, and instead a 3-barrel 35 mm machinegun could be mounted on the left forearm. The original thick tentacle heat rod, somewhat limited in length, was replaced with a magnetic grappler mounted on a thin cable, allowing the right forearm to store a much greater length of heat rod and giving the weapon a much greater reach. Another major improvement was the option of a 75 mm Gatling gun on its shield, which could be ejected at a moment's notice when the heavy weapon ran out of ammo or became a burden in close combat. The Gouf Custom proved to be an excellent unit, with one of these rare mobile suits operated by Colonel Norris Packard out of Zeon's Southeast Asian research base. Two units were also used by the Midnight Fenrir team at the assault on Jaburo and later at the defense of the California Base.