FD-03-13 Gustav Karl Type-13

Model number: FD-03-13
Code name: Gustav Karl Type-13
Unit type: pre-production general purpose mobile suit
Manufacturer: Earth Federation Forces
Operator: Earth Federation Forces
First deployment: UC 0096
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 22.0 meters
Weight: empty 29.0 metric tons; max gross 60.0 metric tons
Armor materials: Gundarium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 3,245 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 79,500 kg total
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 21,300 meters
Fixed armaments: 2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head; 2 x beam saber, stored in recharge racks in thighs; hand-carried in use; 2-tube grenade launcher, mounted on left forearm; flexible shield, mounted on left shoulder
Optional hand armaments: beam rifle; 90mm short machine gun

The FD-03-13 Gustav Karl Type-13 was a new general purpose mobile suit developed to serve as the successor to the Earth Federation Forces’ long-running RGM series of mass production mobile suits. The Gustav Karl featured heavier armor compared to the RGM-89 Jegan, but multiple thrusters and large attitude control verniers allowed it to maintain good mobility despite its weight. Its armaments included a pair of vulcan guns, beam sabers, a beam rifle and a 2-tube grenade launcher. In UC 0096, two units were deployed by the Earth Federation Ground Force for testing at North America’s Cheyenne Base. The suit was officially adopted in UC 0097, and in one incident a Gustav Karl was assigned escort duty for a team transporting Martha Vist Carbine through Colorado. However, the escort teams came under surprise attack from four MSK-008 Dijehs and was destroyed. These early deployment units, known as the Type-13, were later overhauled for mass production and redesignated as the FD-03-00 Gustav Karl Type-00.

First appearance: Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (anime)
Original mechanical designer(s): Hajime Katoki (Gundam Unicorn anime version), Eiji Komatsu (Gundam Narrative version)
Note: Based on the FD-03 Gustav Karl from the Hathaway’s Flash novels

Head (Version 2)

Rear view (Version 1)

Rear view (Version 2)