MSA-005 Methuss

Model number: MSA-005
Code name: Methuss
Unit type: prototype attack use transformable mobile suit
Manufacturer: Anaheim Electronics
Operator: AEUG (Anti-Earth Union Group)
First deployment: UC 0087
Accommodation: pilot only, in panoramic monitor/linear seat cockpit in torso
Dimensions: mobile suit mode: overall height 26.0 meters, head height 18.1 meters; mobile armor mode: overall length 21.8 meters, overall height 6.2 meters
Weight: empty 27.8 metric tons; max gross 52.4 metric tons; mass ratio 1.45
Armor materials: Gundarium alloy
Powerplant: Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor, output rated at 1,640 kW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 77,000 kg total (3 x 18,600 kg, 2 x 10,600 kg); vernier thrusters/apogee motors: 12
Equipment and design features: sensors, range 11,300 meters
Fixed armaments: 2 x beam gun, power rated at 2.0 MW, mounted on forearms; 6 x beam saber, power rated at 0.5 MW, stored in recharge racks in legs, hand-carried in use

As the Anti-Earth Union Group commissioned Anaheim Electronics to develop and construct its next generation wave of mobile suits under the Project Zeta flag, one of the early test prototype units built was the MSA-005 Methuss. This unit was the AEUG’s first true transformable mobile suit, as it was used to test the feasibility of the transformation systems that would later be implemented in the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam. Capable of transforming into a space fighter-like mobile armor form, the Methuss was quite fast and agile in that form. However, its mobile suit mode was lacking in combat abilities, as its weaponry was limited to a pair of fixed beam guns on its forearms and a set of beam sabers for close combat. It was quite possible that the Methuss, being simply a test unit for its transformation systems, was never truly intended for combat. However, the unit was delivered to the AEUG’s flagship Argama and assigned to Reccoa Londe and later pilot trainee Fa Yuiry, who managed to master her mobile suit and survive the Gryps War. This often came at a high cost to the Methuss itself, as it was frequently trashed or heavily damaged during combat. Fortunately for the AEUG, the Methuss was easy to repair, allowing it to be returned to the field in short order. Anaheim later created an upgraded version of the Methuss, the MSA-005S Methuss Kai. Although the original Methuss posted to the Argama managed to survive the Gryps War, it was heavily damaged and retired during the early days of the subsequent First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088.

Pilot(s): Fa Yuiry, Reccoa Londe, Katz Kobayashi, Torres
First appearance: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Original mechanical designer(s): Bishal Design (principal design), Studio Kemu (cleanup)

Beam gun

Beam saber

Cockpit hatch

Foot

Head

Rear view (Mobile suit mode)

Rear view (Mobile armor mode)