PVN.4/3 Wappa

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The PVN.4/3 Wappa (ワッパ, Wappa^?) is a small reconnaissance and patrol hovercraft that appears in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam^[1] and later, OVA Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front^[2] and ONA Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance.^[3]

Technology & Combat Characteristics

The Wappa (Wheelless Aero Palletized Personal Actuator) was a one-seater hovercraft developed by the Principality of Zeon and widely used during the One Year War, primarily for recon and patrol purposes. The Wappa was propelled by rotors in front of and behind the open cockpit, which provided both lift and thrust. As a result, the Wappa was capable of vertical take-off and landing, as well as hovering at significant altitudes. The upper surface of each rotor was covered with a hemispherical cowl. The rotors were driven independently by electric motors, which were powered by four batteries on the bottom of the vehicle's body. Since the motor had a high output compared to the size of the vehicle, the Wappa could elevate tens of meters in a short time. Four telescopic landing legs with rounded feet were mounted on the bottom of the vehicle. Due to the Wappa's primary role as a reconnaissance unit, maneuverability and speed were given priority over combat ability, and it was armed with only a single machine gun operated by the pilot.

The Wappa moved and changed direction by angling the rotors individually. Maneuvering was performed via a single control stick along with the pilot changing their center of gravity, similar to a motorcycle. However, much of the vehicle control was automated, meaning that it was possible to learn how to pilot it with a few hours of training. The Wappa's open cockpit - which consisted of little more than a control console and seat - provided no protection against the elements, requiring the pilot to wear a full piloting suit, especially if they expected to fly the Wappa at high altitudes. The Wappa's light armor and exposed cockpit also rendered it vulnerable to anti-infantry weapons. Although it could normally only accommodate a single pilot, the Wappa could carry up to four passengers or supplies by installing a special platform. Optional parts for tropical and cold regions were also developed to accommodate any environment.

Armaments

• MAZURA MG74/S Machine Gun

A single heavy machine gun suspended in front of the seat by a boom. Though the gun's swivel mounting had the advantage of a wider field of fire than a fixed gun, it also required the pilot to take one hand off the controls in order to fire it. While capable of attacking infantry and light vehicles, it was ineffective against armored vehicles, fast-moving aircraft, and mobile suits. Wappa units in Eastern European front were equipped with two MG74/S Machine Guns, one each on both sides of the open cockpit.

History

The Wappa was utilized primarily as Zeon Army's reconnaissance and patrol hovercraft in various battle fronts during the One Year War, including Stein Battalion of the 1st Terrestrial Mobile Division in Eastern Europe, which is served as its combat support unit to deliver Maj. Stein's massage of the seizure of Cluj-Napoca military base from the Earth Federation Forces on November 6, U.C. 0079^[3].

With the advantages of being light weight and with high mobility, the Wappa was also used as a sabotage unit against much bigger mobile weapons such as mobile suits. Instances include a well-coordinated attempt led by Sgm. Cuaran to destroy EFF's RX-78-2 Gundam by attaching magnetic grenades onto Gundam's body via a group of hovering Wappa pilots circa October U.C. 0079.^[1] Similar tactic was also used by the Zeon Army during the Battle of Odessa on November 7, U.C. 0079, with units of EFF's RGM-79［G］ GM Ground Type being crippled by sabotagers riding the Wappas.^[4]

Gallery

Lineart

Profile (Mobile Suit Gundam)

Driver seat (MS Igloo 2)

Driver seat (2) (MS Igloo 2)

Driver seat with magnetic grenades attached (MS Igloo 2)

Driver seat: bottom (MS Igloo 2)

Rear cowl covers the hovering fins with light and license plate (MS Igloo 2)

Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam

Wappa squadron prepares for launch (Episode 14: Time, Be Still)

Surrounding RX-78-2 Gundam (Episode 14)

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front

Seen during Zeon's First Landing Operation (Episode 1: Take Out That Angel of Death!)

Close encounter with EFF's GM Ground Type (Epsode 3: Odessa, Storm of Steel!)

Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance

Side view of Stein Battalion's Wappa (Episode 1: Haunted Forest)

On the move. (Episode 1)

Manga & Photonovel

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front (manga)

puting Magnetic Bomb on GM Ground Type's head

Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Hardgraph: IRON MUSTANG

Wappa Team (Volume 1)

Illustrations & Artwork

Wappas & GM Ground Type (illustrated by Tomotake Kinoshita)

Gunpla

1/35 U.C. Hard Graph "Zeon Mobile Scout Set" (2006): box art

Wappa as part of 1/144 U.C. Hard Graph "MS-06 Zaku The Ground War Set" (2009): box art

Notes and Trivia

• In the Gundam Build Divers episode "Nadeshiko-athlon", Wappas were mentioned as to be used in the third part of the titular race. However, none are actually seen as they are destroyed before any of the participants can get to them.

Appearances

References

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