What about the little people? Zeon standard-issue SMG.

This was a leftover scan I had lying around...

But it's interesting to know that someone still cares about the stuff the poor little infantry guys are using to make up some sort of history behind them.

Zeon Submachine Gun

This submachine gun utilizes the 9mm parabellum round, a round which is often called a ‘relic of the past’.  It uses a 36-round double stack magazine to form a very compact weapon.

 (TL Notes: From the image we can see that it has a collapsible shoulder stock, and appears to only have safety and full-automatic fire selector settings.) 

 

Source: Another Century's Chronicle, Vol. 1 （上）

MS-06R-1A Technical Manual

MS-06R-1A High Mobility Zaku II

Technical Manual

The newest model of the MS-06 Zaku line, the MS-06R-1A type, represents a fundamental change from the existing F and C type models.  The R-1A type uses a propulsion engine and verniers that are considerably more powerful that than of the standard F type.  However, as the fuel consumption has also increased, pilots must be careful not to run out of fuel during engagements.  The efficiency of the arms and legs has also been improved, so an increase in the performance of this type in melee combat can also be expected.  Two types of control interfaces are also available on the R-1A type, semi-auto control and manual control, which allows the pilot to select the most ideal control type for the operation or engagement at hand.
Because the capabilities of this Mobile Suit have risen to a level impossible for the standard F-type, by studying this manual thoroughly, pilots will be able to perform at their peak level.

I do still pay attention to this, really...

Someone on Reddit discovered my little not-so-secret project I see, so this might give me a little boost in motivation.

Unfortunately, I am traveling on business for the next month or so, so don't have access to most of my books. 

However, as I am currently with family in Japan, there is a chance that you may see some new material from some more recent books, if I can find some time to get to the bookstore. 


That being said, I will post up the pictureless version of the MS-06R1A Technical Manual, and try to add pictures when I can get back to the books again next month.

Comments on some things you would like to see are encouraged!

Updates?

Don't know why there's a sudden bit of traffic here, but just wanted to mention that I actually have a few updates backlogged, and mostly being held up by the time it takes to process the illustrations that accompany the posts.   I have had so little spare time to edit them, as that's the most involved process. Translating isn't so much an issue.


Here's the status of some articles I have prepped:

MS-06R1A Technical Manual: 100% translated, 50% pictures complete.
FF-X7 BST Intercept Core Booster article: 100% translated, 25% pictures complete.
Howard GU-17A (VF-25 Gunpod) Article: 100% translated, pictures 0% complete.
ARL-99 Helldiver (Patlabor) Article: 100% translated pictures 15% complete.

There are a few more that I finished as well, but I'm preparing for a two month business trip around Asia, so I'm not sure how much time I can devote to extras...

Here's a teaser:

This pistol, commonly seen in use by Zeon forces, utilizes an old, toggle action design, which can only be explained as the deep personal interest of the designer.  It uses the same 9mm ammunition as the standard-issue Zeon submachine gun.  

(Source: Another Century's Chronicle, Vol1)

Gundam technology trends

Well, the MS Pilot manual series is now completed, and it was an interesting project. It really seems like the series was planned out in advance, as you see a drastic increase in automation and decrease in necessary controls in the cockpit.

We also got to see how some things worked, like the ballute system (I always wondered how that balloon kept from catching on fire...), and beam sabers in the 0090s, and ejection systems.

The articles themselves seemed to be relatively well thought out, and for the most part stayed away from sci-fi technobabble to explain away things, though there still seem to be a few holes in how certain things are accomplished. We also don't really ever get to take a look into any differences in EF cockpits.  (Though with some of the new Master Archive, we may be able to get something...)

Next up, we'll look at a detailed look at the MS-06 R1A's cockpit.

Any comments or questions are always welcome.

(Sources used: Entertainment Bible #1, #2, #3)

Cockpit Counterattack

Volume 3 of the MS pilot manual takes us into the 0090s, and what's changed since the Grypps war. This article begins to focus on weapons as well, and really delves into the up close and personal nature of Mobile Suit combat. Computer control is now used as a bit of a deus ex machina here, but it follows a logical progression of increasing computer control through the three volumes.

The melee combat section is particularly detailed, and finally explains why we never see the beam saber blades in CCA until they actually strike something.

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Mobile Suit Pilot Manual Volume Three

Mobile Suit Pilot Manual Vol II

The second volume primarily covers changes that were made in the UC0080s as the panoramic cockpit became standard. This time, the narration is pretty straightforward and technical, and presents like reading any other manual. A large emphasis this time around is given to the various support systems that developed in the Grypps conflict. One amusing point to note is the inclusion of a CRT display in the main cockpit, which would already be outdated by the 21st century. Such are the risks of making science fiction, I suppose.

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Mobile Suit Pilot Manual Volume Two

Piloting a Gelgoog

This is the first in a series of a few articles covering the basics of piloting a Mobile Suit in the Universal Century Gundam universe. This article was originally published in Entertainment Bible #1 in 1990, but some sections were later expanded on in other works. Those will follow at a later date. The article is written from the point of view of a Zeon trainee pilot, with instructions being given to him by a flight instructor.

It's worth noting that the text does not in fact agree with the pictures on a couple of instances, such as the damage to the Gelgoog not matching the text description. This is not a mistranslation, some of the pictures do in fact contradict what's in the actual text. Sorry about the low quality pictures, I don't have access to a scanner at the moment, so I've got a digital camera rigged up. If you've got the ability to supply cleaner pictures, let me know!

So without further ado, let's jump in!

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Mobile Suit Pilot Manual Volume One