MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type is the last machine in Zeonic's high-mobility Zaku line, a space-only design from Mobile Suit Variations, the 1983 illustrated series that filled out the One Year War roster. Zeonic entered it in Zeon's competition for a next-generation space mainstay, and four were built before the order went to Zimmad's Rick Dom.
What it does in the story
For a design-series machine the R-2's story is the competition it was built for. Zeon needed a replacement for the beam-armed MS-11, which was running late, so Zeonic reworked its beam-capable R-2P test type into a machine using standard Zaku weapons. The four went to aces rather than line units: Johnny Ridden, Gabby Hazard, Robert Gilliam and test pilot Elliot Rem.
What makes it different
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It was called a Gelgoog wearing a Zaku's skin.
Parts intended for the still-in-development Gelgoog went into its construction, and the legs' internal structure was redesigned around them. The added leg armour gave better protection than earlier high-mobility Zakus and pushed the silhouette towards the Gelgoog's.
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The backpack tank holds 18 percent more fuel.
The backpack follows earlier high-mobility Zaku units, but the tank at the top is enlarged against the R-1A's. The exposed roll bar for swapping the tank or the whole backpack and the stabilizers that move with the thrusters are carried over.
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The blade antenna is decoration, not rank.
On a Zaku II that antenna usually marks a commander's machine. On the R-2 the designer is said to have added it for appearance, and every airframe rolled out with one.
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The generator and chest are new.
Higher generator output, a different chest piece, more propellant and lighter, better armour material in places add up to performance above the R-1 and R-1A while weighing less. Tanks in the calves and thighs lengthen the leg thrusters' running time.
How big is it?
- Overall height: 18.0 m, with a head height of 17.5 m, according to Bandai's official spec
- 1/144: roughly 12.5 cm, which covers the HGUC and RG releases
- 1/100: roughly 18 cm, which covers the Master Grade
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Frequently asked questions
1. How is the R-2 different from the R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type?
The R-2 is the later machine, built for Zeon's next-mainstay competition rather than as a production ace suit. It has a higher-output generator, a different chest, Gelgoog-derived leg parts and a larger backpack tank.
2. Why does a Zaku have Gelgoog parts in its legs?
It was redesigned from the beam-capable R-2P test type while the Gelgoog was still in development, so parts meant for that programme were available. The leg frame was rebuilt around them, which is where the heavier leg armour comes from.
3. Which pilots flew the four R-2s?
Johnny Ridden, Gabby Hazard and Robert Gilliam each had a machine in personal colours, and the fourth went to test pilot Elliot Rem. In Spirits of Zeon that unit is assigned to Kurt Roswell instead.
4. Was the R-2 in the 1979 television series?
No, it is an MSV design from the Mobile Suit Variations print series and side material such as MSV-R. It appears in games including Encounters in Space, and kits exist in 1/144 as HGUC and RG and in 1/100 as Master Grade.
Background sources: MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type — Gundam Wiki · 高機動型ザクII — 日本語版 Wikipedia
