Gundam Origin HG YMS-07-1 Gouf Production Type

Introduction:

Regardless of whatever fun little history, I make up for this kit below. This project was my attempt to kitbash my own YMS 07A Mobile Demonstration Unit kit using parts I already had on hand. It was a short and sweet project that took maybe 6-8 hours and I completed the kit over the course of 1 week.

Mobile Suit History:

The following is my own fictional history of this series of mobile suits and should not be considered canon. If you like this section please let me know and I may include more like it in future works.

When the YMS-07B-0 Prototype Gouf Tactical Demonstrator was tested, it was heralded as the true successor to the venerable Zaku 2 for earth-based operations. The Gouf would be deployed as a command mobile suit as the head of a 3-4 man team, where it's superior mobility and armor would allow it to advance under covering fire to engage enemy forces in close range combat.

During initial trial runs the test pilot Ramba Ral showed superlative skill operating the tactical demonstrator model. However, as the engineers, scientists, and other pilots soon discovered; the revolutionary integrated arm weapon systems represented a fatal flaw.

The right arm mounted heat-rod was prone to malfunction. Damage incurred during usage or other environmental factors could cause the rod to seize during retraction; burning out motors or otherwise damaging the winding mechanism within the arm. There is at least one recorded incident of a pilot damaging their own mobile suit with the heat-rod when they misjudged the trajectory of the weapon on a return swing.

The machine gun integrated into the left arm provided it's own problems as well. The short barrel length and compact design of the tri-machine gun limited the effective range of the weapon to less than half of that of the Zaku 2's standard 120mm machine gun. If a 07B-0 pilot found themselves pinned and out-ranged by an opposing force their options for engagement or retreat would be severely limited.

Ultimately the factor that doomed the deployment of this variation of the Gouf was that by not providing this mobile suit with a standard set of humanoid manipulators the Gouf lost access the various weapon systems of the Zaku 2. By utilizing a unique weapon system field technicians would likely find themselves without the parts or ammunition need to keep ahead of battlefield wear and tear. These factors would ultimately limit the Gouf tactically and logistically making it unfit for deployment. Zeon engineers attempted to remedy this fault by providing a 'replacement' arm with a manipulator that could be connected at the forearm. However, the extra bulk required by this arm caused clearance issues with the stocks and barrels of many of the machine gun and bazooka models respectively.

That is not the end of the story for the Gouf type mobile suit. Zeon engineers fell back onto the earlier 07A-0 "mobility prototype" Gouf concept. These engineers would integrate a set of Zaku 2 lower arms and manipulators into the design of the Gouf to create The YMS-07-1 Gouf Production type mobile suit. This mobile suit was essentially a high-performance successor to the Zaku 2. It featured a more powerful power plant, high ground speeds, greater jumping potential, and heavier frontal armor. Ultimately the Gouf saw limited production as the Zeon began to favor the higher mobility and firepower of the upcoming YMS-09 Dom.


Kit Talk:

This is a kitbash of the HG Gouf Tactical Demonstrator and the HG Char Zaku 2. The kits share many parts which made the kitbashing process very simple. The arms of the Zaku were simply attached to the shoulders the same way they would on the Zaku. I fixed the seamlines present on the forearms using the process shown in this tutorial.

The commander horn is a replacement part from one of the Builders Parts HG sets; the stock commander horn was blunt short and uninteresting. The horn was glued into place, but there was a considerable gap left between the two parts that I filled with Mr. Surfacer 500.

I had to scratch build the attachment peg for the Gouf's shield to attach it to the arm. The P-Bandai HG Gouf includes a custom part to attach the shield to the arm. I built this part from a piece of the HG Gouf and pla-plate. I then ground down the Zaku arm to attach the part onto the arm. I painted this component the same navy blue color as the feet, knees,and chest.

The color scheme for this kit was based on the Ms-07B-3 Gouf Custom with the white details taken from the YMS 07A Mobility Type. Similar to the Zaku 2 Ramba Ral custom I made years ago I created a hot glowing gradient along the blade of the heat hawk using orange, yellow, white,and a coating of clear orange. I love the contrast that this creates with the blue colors of the mobile suit.

If you're interested in picking up this or other kits consider purchasing through the Amazon links on my site. Every purchase you make helps me out tremendously and doesn't cost you a dime!


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