Model number: MA-08
Code name: Big Zam
Unit type: prototype anti-warship/anti-fortress mobile armor
Manufacturer: Principality of Zeon
Operator: Principality of Zeon
First deployment: 24 December UC 0079
Accommodation: one commander and two pilots/gunners, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 59.6 meters
Weight: empty 1021.2 metric tons; max gross 1936.0 metric tons
Powerplant: 4 x Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 35000 kW each
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 580000 kg total
Performance: maximum thruster acceleration 0.30 G
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 134000 meters
Fixed armaments: large mega particle gun, mounted in main body; 28 x anti-aircraft mega particle gun, mounted in main body; 6 x air-to-air missile, mounted as claws on feet; 2 x 105 mm vulcan gun, fire-linked, mounted in main body; 2 x I-field barrier generator, provides 360 degrees of protection against all beam weapons fire, mounted in main body

Technical and Historical Notes

One of the biggest and most powerful mobile armor developed by the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War, the prototype MA-08 Big Zam saw combat during the Battle of Solomon on 24 December, UC 0079. Deployed in an act of desparation to hold off the Earth Federation Forces' advance on the asteroid base, Rear Admiral Dozle Zabi personally commanded this giant mobile armor into battle, destroying over 20 enemy mobile suits and 9 capital ships. The Big Zam's primary armament was its extremely powerful mega particle cannon, capable of wiping out several targets - and even entire battleships - in a single shot. It also mounted 28 anti-aircraft beam guns around the circumference of its main body, providing 360 degrees of protection. In addition to a pair of large-caliber vulcan guns and claw missiles in its toes for close defense, the Big Zam was also the first mobile weapon to be equipped with I-field barrier generators. These generators, a byproduct of Minovsky particle physics, created a screen of protection around the Big Zam that was impervious to all beam weapons fire.

However, the Big Zam did suffer from two major drawbacks: first, the four high-powered generators required to power its weapons and I-field generators created such an enormous amount of heat that it could operate for only 20 minutes until needing to be shut down to cool off; and, as Dozle Zabi would fatally find out, the I-field barrier provided no protection against fire from conventional shell-firing weapons... or mobile suits attacking it hand-to-hand, as Amuro Ray engaged the Big Zam at melee range inside its I-field barrier, destroying the mobile armor with his RX-78-2 Gundam's beam saber. A production model version of the Big Zam was also planned, which would use a Minovsky craft system for flight under gravity, but fortunately for the Federation, the One Year War ended and the production model was never built.

Miscellaneous Information

Pilot: Dozle Zabi
Appearances: Mobile Suit Gundam; Mobile Suit Gundam: Outer Gundam; Mobile Suit Gundam: Cross Dimension 0079; Gundam: The Battle Master/Gundam Battle Assault; Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation VS Zeon DX; Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space; Gundam Battle Assault 2; Gundam Evolve; Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot's Locus; Mobile Suit Gundam: Spirits of Zeon ~Dual Stars of Carnage~; Mobile Suit Gundam: Climax U.C.
Original mechanical designer: Kunio Okawara

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