Appearances*
OVA
Technology & Combat Characteristics
Being the third Zeta Gundam produced, it is usually referred to as "Zeta Unit Three", or "White Zeta" because of its unique color scheme. It is almost identical to its predecessor, retaining unique features such as generator in the legs (because of the high energy requirement of the leg thrusters calls for a direct link to the generator), or incorporating Binders in the Wave Rider Mode to help with the MS's AMBAC capability. Unlike the original Zeta Gundam, the Zeta Gundam 3A Type is not equipped with a Bio-Sensor and it is also specifically tuned for its pilot, Amuro Ray.
Armaments
- MU-86G 60mm Vulcan Gun
- The Zeta Gundam 3A is equipped with a pair of Vulcan Guns in its head. These vulcan guns fire 60mm ballistic rounds at high speed, and could potentially deal lethal damage to enemy units at extreme close range. The vulcan guns used liquid propellant caseless ammunition, and were unusable in Wave Rider Mode as the head was stored in the body.
- 2-tube Grenade Launcher
- A 2-tube grenade launcher is mounted in each forearm, with each tube carrying two rounds, for a total of eight rounds. The grenades are moderately powerful self-propelling explosives that can deal significant damage to a mobile suit. The grenade launchers are operable in mobile suit mode only.
- Grappling Wire
- Equipped in place of the explosive warheads on the grenade launchers. It is mainly used to immobilize enemy units when the pilot wishes not to inflict damage to the target. The grappling wires can also be useful in performing tight turns in Wave Rider Mode by anchoring them on a nearby surface.
- A.E.BLASH XB-G-35/Du.105 Beam Saber
- The beam saber is the standard close combat weapon of many MS. The pair employed by the Zeta Gundam 3A are stored in the side armor, hand carried in use, and have a power rating of 0.65 MW. In Wave Rider Mode, the beam sabers also double as beam guns, partially extending from the storage racks, with a total power rating of 1.3 MW.
- XBR-M87A2 Beam Rifle
- The Zeta Gundam 3A is often outfitted with the same beam rifle as used by the original Zeta Gundam. This weapon is longer than most other rifles employed by other mobile suits in the same era and is powered by a replaceable E-Pac, with a power rating of 5.7 MW. The beam rifle is also capable of emitting a beam saber from its barrel for close combat.
- FXA-03M2 Hyper Mega Launcher
- When the Zeta Gundam 3A needs greater firepower than its beam rifle can deliver, it cab be equipped with the hyper mega launcher. Power rated at 8.3 MW, this powerful weapon is powered by an internal compact generator. The beam of this weapon can easily shred a battleship to pieces. As with the Zeta Gundam 3A's beam rifle, the hyper mega launcher can also double as a long beam saber, allowing it to be used as melee weapon when needed. The hyper mega launcher is usable in both mobile suit and Wave Rider Modes.
- FF-XV-SH-609Z Shield
- A standard defensive feature of most mobile suits is a shield to stop physical, and beam attacks due to the presence of anti-beam coating. The shield of the Zeta Gundam 3A is the same as the Zeta Gundam's (but with a different paintjob to match the white-purple color scheme), which serves as the nose unit when in Wave Rider mode for aerial maneuverability and to reduce wind resistance, thus increasing speed in flight.
History
Piloted by Karaba ace Amuro Ray in the later stages of the Gryps Conflict and the First Neo Zeon War, the White Zeta was put use to great success during both wars. Some deny this as merely propaganda, similar to the story of the MSZ-006 Zeta Plus since the unit in question was also stated as an Amuro Type (however, the Master Grade model confirmed the custom Zeta Plus was only tuned to fit Amuro's piloting skills, and it was only used for training new pilots for the A1 type).
It makes a reappearance in episode 9 of Gundam Evolve, which was piloted by squadron leader White Unicorn (who is believed to be the legendary ace Amuro Ray) and battled the QRX-006 Geminus with assistance from other Zeta units, the MSZ-006-P2/3C Zeta Gundam P2/3C Type and the MSZ-006-3B Zeta Gundam 3B Type.
Gallery
Gunpla
Action Figures
Notes and Trivia
- The Z Gundam Unit 3 (White Unicorn custom) is an unlockable unit in the mecha action video game Another Century's Episode: R for the PlayStation 3, and pre-ordering the game lets you use this machine from the beginning instead of unlocking it later. The player needs to have a Japanese PlayStation Network account to attain the Z Gundam Unit 3 early.
- On the PSP game Gundam Assault Survive, the Zeta Gundam 3 (White Zeta) can be unlocked by meeting certain conditions. It has the same armaments like the Original MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, but with a higher stats when tuned to the max, lower tuning points to be fully upgraded, and a Different SP attack.
- The Gundam Base-Limited HGUC Zeta Gundam III does not have the sticker for Amuro's emblem on its left shoulder, instead it has the Zeta emblem sticker.
References
External links