MS-05 Zaku I (Thunderbolt Sector)

In UC 0077, the Principality of Zeon changed the course of military weapons development by rolling out the first mass production mobile suit, the MS-05B Zaku I. Although advanced for its time, the Zaku I was soon surpassed by the improved MS-06A Zaku II in UC 0078. However, many existing Zaku I units were upgraded or assigned new roles in rear line duty in the One Year War. One such upgrade was the Zaku I used by the Living Dead Battalion at the Thunderbolt Sector in the ruins of Side 4. These units had sealed joints as protection from space debris and a larger backpack that featured a propellant tank and a sub-arm capable of holding weapons. The sole of the foot had a claw that could be used to grip onto debris. The suit also featured an orange color scheme instead of the original colors. In December UC 0079, pilot Daryl Lorenz used a modified Zaku I to man the Big Gun sniping turret and had a close call when he was spotted and attacked by Io Fleming’s FA-78 Full Armor Gundam.