AMX-011S Zaku III Custom

Model number: AMX-011S
Code name: Zaku III Custom
Unit type: mass production general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer: Neo Zeon
Operator(s) Neo Zeon; Earth Federation Forces
First deployment: January UC 0089
Accommodation: pilot in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 25.3 meters; head height 21.0 meters
Weight: empty 44.3 metric tons; max gross 71.4 metric tons; mass ratio 1.42
Armor materials: Gundarium composite
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 2,860 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 211,500 kg total (2 x 34,200 kg, 3 x 28,400 kg, 3 x 19,300 kg); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 19
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 9,700 meters; 2 x external propellant tanks, ejectable, mounted on backpack
Fixed armaments: 2 x 30mm vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x waist beam cannon/saber, power rated at 2.8 MW, hand-carried in beam saber mode, stored in recharge racks in front skirt armor plates and hand-operated in beam gun mode; hide bomb dispenser, mounted on left shoulder; option rack shield on right shoulder, can store additional weapons
Optional hand armaments: beam rifle, powered by rechargeable energy cap

Although the AMX-011 Zaku III design lost out to the AMX-014 Doven Wolf as Neo Zeon’s intended new frontline mass production mobile suit, several Zaku III prototypes were produced. These Zaku IIIs proved quite popular with many Neo Zeon officers and ace pilots fighting in the First Neo Zeon War. One Zaku III unit ended up in the hands of Haman Karn loyalist Mashymre Cello, who employed his customized Zaku III in one of the last battles of the war. Although Mashymre’s Zaku III was referred to as the AMX-011S Zaku III Custom, it was indeed nothing more than the basic Zaku III loaded out with various optional equipment selected by Mashymre. His Zaku III Custom sported heavier and more stylized armor, a new head mounting a pair of vulcan guns, optional left shoulder armor with a hide bomb dispenser, a large backpack with powerful thrusters and ejectable external propellant tanks, and an enormous rear skirt armor plate. Shortly before the war’s end, Mashymre sacrificed himself while fighting rebels loyal to Glemy Toto. A second unit, commissioned by Haman for Char Aznable’s use and painted in his signature red, was instead assigned to test pilot Danton Hyleg. It was reactivated in UC 0096 when the Earth Federation Forces special forces unit Mastema visited Axis and was attacked by the private military group Birnam.

Pilot(s): Mashymre Cello, Danton Hyleg
First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Original mechanical designer: Mika Akitaka (Gundam ZZ version)

Beam gun/saber (Version 1)

Beam rifle (Version 1)

Beam saber (Version 1)

Cockpit hatch (Version 1)

Head (Version 1)

Rear view (Version 1)